Today I learned about the Uncanny Valley Effect. What on earth’s that I can almost hear you all say, and what’s it got to do with horror? Well, it’s a theory, revolving around human reactions to robots or CGI characters with a near-human likeness, but it can also be extended to any human-like creation, such as those old porcelain dolls.
You know, like the one currently hiding in your attic! Ha!
It was first proposed by Masahiro Mori, an eminent Japanese robotics researcher, who sadly passed away at the beginning of this year.
Mori suggested that robots with a near-human likeness but yet not actually that realistic can create a feeling of fear or revulsion in those viewing them either on screen or – gulp! – in the ‘flesh’.
Subtle ambiguities in facial expressions, joint movements or speech can amplify the terrorising effect.
Uncanny Valley is an actual movie trope and can be used intentionally to create terror in a cinema audience. Think Chucky, or Annabelle.
This effect may be rooted in evolutionary mechanisms that protect us from potential threats, eg, those harbouring contagious diseases. Some of those old ceramic Victorian dolls do have a disturbing corpselike appearance. Well, kids knew how to have fun back then!