Sometimes Silence Screams Louder Than Words
In horror, what isn’t said can be just as terrifying as the words on the page.
Silence, subtext, and carefully crafted dialogue have the power to pull your audience into the tension, making them feel every ounce of fear your characters experience.
Dialogue in horror isn’t just about moving the plot forward—it’s about building suspense, revealing emotions, and, when done right, leaving your audience squirming in their seats. Think about the small talk a character makes while trying to keep their voice steady as they hear footsteps in the attic—or the panicked repetition of “It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” when they clearly know it’s something.
These moments don’t just describe the action—they make your audience feel the fear.
So how do you write dialogue that terrifies? Let’s break it down.
Why Dialogue Matters in Horror
Great dialogue in horror serves multiple purposes:
- Builds Tension: Pauses, silences, and half-spoken thoughts can create unbearable suspense.
- Reveals Fear: How a character speaks—or doesn’t speak—can show their inner terror.
- Engages the Audience’s Imagination: The less you say, the more the audience fills in the gaps with their own fears.
Some of the most iconic horror moments use dialogue sparingly, letting silence or subtext scream louder than any words could. By carefully crafting what your characters say—and what they don’t—you can turn an ordinary moment into a terrifying one.
Pro Tips for Writing Dialogue That Terrifies
Want to elevate your horror screenplay? Use these techniques to craft dialogue that chills your audience to the bone.
1. Let the Silence Do the Talking
Sometimes, the scariest moments come not from what is said, but from the pauses in between. Use silence, unfinished sentences, or stammering to show fear and create tension.
Example:
- The silence and heavy breathing from the caller in Black Christmas (1974) makes the threats and profantity that follow, even scarier.
These pauses leave space for the audience’s imagination to run wild, heightening the unease.
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2. Use Subtext to Heighten Unease
In horror, dialogue doesn’t need to spell everything out. Let your characters say one thing while their fear shows another.
Example:
- In Get Out (2017) Missy’s seemingly innocent line, “You’re one of my favorites,” hints at her sinister intentions and the objectification of Chris as part of her family’s plan.
- The offhand comments from the guests, such as “Black is in fashion,” reveal the disturbing motivations behind the family’s actions, hinting they could perform their horrible deeds on other groups if they too become fashionable.
Subtext creates a layer of tension, showing the audience what the character is too afraid to admit.
3. Reveal Character Through Dialogue
Fear exposes who we truly are. In moments of terror, how a character speaks—or doesn’t—can reveal a great deal about their personality.
Example:
- In It Follows (2014), when Hugh explains to Jay, “It’s going to follow you. Someone gave it to me, and I passed it to you,” the terse, fragmented explanation clearly shows he both has a decent understanding of what’s happening, but is still very on edge.
- It also raises the question of, what happened to the person who gave it to him? Is that person still alive? Are they aware of the curse?
These differences in speech help build tension within the group and give the audience characters to connect with—or fear for.
4. Use Dialogue to Misdirect
Horror thrives on uncertainty. Use your characters’ dialogue to distract or mislead, keeping the audience guessing.
Example:
- In Fallen (1998), the opening scene is tense with Detective Hobbs running in the woods. He then tell us, “I want to tell you about the time I almost died.”
- We’re expecting to hear a story about John Hobbs and how he almost died, but it’s not until the big twist at the very end that we understand the true meaning of these words.
Misdirection keeps your audience on edge, unsure of what’s coming next.
5. Break the Tension with Dark Humor
A touch of humor can make the scares hit harder. By giving the audience a moment to breathe, you set them up for the next jolt.
Example:
- In The Lighthouse (2019), “Winslow” and Thomas get into a heated argument, with Thomas passionately imploring to “Winslow”, “Yer fond of me lobster ain’t ye?”
- When “Winslow” rebuffs Thomas, Thomas delivers a lengthy, ominous monologue that goes on for a couple minutes, with “Winslow” staring on in stunned silence. Thomas finishes his diatribe and after an awkward moment, “Winslow” responds with, “Alright, have it your way. I like your cooking,” making for a truly hilarious moment after an incredibly tense one.
Dark humor adds layers to your dialogue, making the characters more relatable while keeping the tension alive.
Crafting Dialogue That Haunts
The best horror dialogue doesn’t just describe what’s happening—it makes the audience feel it. Nervous banter, whispered warnings, and heavy silences all play a role in drawing the viewer deeper into the fear.
Every word—or lack of one—should build tension and heighten the stakes. When done right, your dialogue becomes another layer of the horror, pulling your audience further into the nightmare.
Refine Your Dialogue with actualiz
With actualiz’s script editor, you can ensure every word of your screenplay is fine-tuned for maximum impact. From crafting subtext to perfecting the pacing of silences, actualiz gives you the tools to elevate your horror dialogue and keep your audience on edge.
- Craft natural, tension-filled conversations.
- Experiment with pauses and pacing to create suspense.
- Easily revise and refine your dialogue to perfection.
Start Writing Dialogue That Terrifies
Your dialogue should make your audience hold their breath—and with actualiz, you can create scenes that do just that.
Sign up for a free 7-day trial with actualiz today—no credit card required—and start crafting your next horror masterpiece.
Sometimes, silence screams louder than words. Let actualiz help you write dialogue that keeps your audience listening for more.
