Is there really a difference between Psychological Horror/Thriller?

dora_da_destroyer

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There's not always a textbook distinction but pysch horrors tend to be more graphic or have traits of typical horror - scares, gore, paranormal, occult - plus overlap with traits of a thriller, while a thriller will simply be tension, dread, fear, surprise, suspense, twist, etc.

A lot of labeling comes down to marketing, any use of the label horror usually limits the reach (not a lot of people like horror) and the prestige (horror is typically a cheap to execute low quality story/acting genre) so it's hard to market for awards .

Edit: psycho is probably the biggest or most well known that spans both labels
 
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Nicole0416_718_929_646212

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I think it has to do with state of mind, suspense, influences and tension.
Misery and Identity are psychological thrillers. Whereas a move like The Mist, Cube, Pet Semetary, Saw, The Conjuring, Don't Breathe, Paranormal Activity are psychological horror.
Horror is more for shock value and reaction, whereas thriller is dealing with mental conflicts and internal struggles within the character him/herself- The Woman in Black.
The traits of psychological thrillers tend to deal with phobias, obsessions, mental deficiencies, like The Honeymoon, The Crazies, 48 Meters Down..
Psychological horror is dealing with the surroundings and interactions with others along with the physical interactions.
 
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Rhapscallion Démone

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Would Silence of the lambs be a psychological horror or thriller?

Basic instinct would be a thriller imo
 
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