Definition
Dark fantasy combines fantasy settings with horror, moral ambiguity, and often grim tone. Magic may corrupt, monsters may reflect psychological fear, and happy endings are not guaranteed.
Example
A cursed knight hunting demons in a decaying empire where hope is scarce fits dark fantasy.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Using darkness as shock value without thematic purpose.
- Confusing dark fantasy with grimdark; they overlap but are not identical labels.