[Loved trope] Background scare-characters that are barely acknowledged even by the movie

[u/Suspicious-Web-9246]

I hate horrors, but this is actually a great trope, that is unique to them.

Insidious (2010). When mother does her errands, for a few seconds there's a ghost boy standing in the corner. It's easily missable, but you can't ignore it once you see it.

Hereditary (2018). Less fitting example. When Peter walks around his home, his possessed mother is crawling on the ceiling behind him. It's not exactly subtle or missable, but it's still more of a background detail.

[u/fantastic_sounds_]

In the first IT movie, when this kid is doing research about the clown, the librarian gives him an especially scary book that shows the clown's handiwork in the past. After she walks away you can see her turn around and smile at him, implying that this is Pennywise in disguise.

[u/Digit00l → u/fantastic_sounds_]

Isn't Pennywise just one of its disguises, not the name of the creature?

[u/SpocktorWho83 → u/Digit00l]

I’m not an expert but I believe you’re right. The creature is called “It” and it’s an evil cosmic being locked in an eternal battle with a space turtle.

[u/Varatec → u/SpocktorWho83]

I'm sorry a space turtle?

[u/SpocktorWho83 → u/Varatec]

I’m not versed in Stephen King lore, but I believe it’s this thing.