The purpose of this article is to explore the methods of plot and imagery used to express horror in Stephen King's novels “Misery” and “The Mist,” and to identify the key techniques used by the author to create tension and fear. The research objectives include the analysis of psychological and external horror, the study of the effects of isolation, manipulation and fear of the unknown, and the social and psychological significance of the horror genre. The research problem is that horror literature is often seen as entertainment, without taking into account its potential to reflect deep social and psychological anxieties. The methodological basis of the work involves literary and hermeneutical analysis. The literary method enables the exploration of narrative structure, the dynamics of psychological states of the characters and ways of conveying fear, while the hermeneutic approach helps to reveal the symbolic meaning of images and motifs. The research results show that psychological violence induces fear, dependence, and physical captivity of the main character in “Misery”, while in “The Mist” it is formed by collective panic, isolation, and fear of the unknown. Both works illustrate the ability of horror literature to evoke emotions of fear, but also to analyze important aspects of human psychology, social dynamics, and existential anxiety. The research findings underscore the importance of horror literature as a tool for studying social fears and psychological survival mechanisms.