For a movie to hold my attention, it needs compelling vibes and atmosphere. The plot can be paper-thin as long as the vibes are right. I actually prefer paper-thin plots, since I’m honestly quite dumb, so if the plot is too complicated I get lost and lose interest (for example, I’ve tried watching The Lord of the Rings many times but haven’t been able to get through it for this reason), lmao. That’s why my favorite kind of horror is folk, atmospheric horror: Suspiria, The Witch, Midsommar, Hereditary, The Wicker Man, Blink Twice, Hagazussa, Lamb, The Blair Witch Project, Rosemary’s Baby…
For me it’s the movies where you can’t see the “monster”. So, Paranormal Activity and The Blairwitch Project are among my favourites.
That - along with suspense and the absence of cheap jump scares. A horror film doesn’t need much to happen for it to be absolutely nerve-wracking.
Final Destination?