Italian Phrase
È un film che fa paura.
Meaning
This phrase is the most common way to describe a movie that is frightening or within the horror genre. Literally, it translates to 'It is a movie that makes fear,' utilizing the verb 'fare' to describe the effect the film has on the viewer.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing cinema, giving recommendations, or warning a friend about a film's intensity. It is suitable for both casual conversations and more formal reviews.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èunfilmchefapaura
Fare paura
This is an idiomatic construction where the verb 'fare' (to do/make) is paired with a noun to describe an emotional effect.
Relative Pronoun 'che'
The word 'che' acts as 'that' or 'which', connecting the noun 'film' to the clause describing it.
🗨In Conversation
Ti va di guardare quel nuovo thriller stasera?
Do you want to watch that new thriller tonight?
No grazie, ho sentito che è un film che fa paura.
No thanks, I heard it's a scary movie.
✕Common Mistakes
È un film che ha paura.
In Italian, things 'make' fear (fare paura) rather than 'having' fear (avere paura), which is reserved for people feeling afraid.
È un film spaventoso.
While grammatically correct, 'spaventoso' is less common in spoken Italian than the idiomatic 'che fa paura'.
↔Alternatives
È un film dell'orrore.
It's a horror movie.
È un film inquietante.
It's a disturbing/creepy movie.
Cultural Tip
Italian cinema has a rich history of 'Giallo' and horror films, such as those by Dario Argento. When Italians say something 'fa paura,' they might also be using it as slang to mean something is incredibly impressive or 'insane' in a positive way, though in the context of a movie, it usually means it's scary.