Which word suggests a theme of horror related to death or decay?

The word "macabre" specifically evokes a strong theme of horror associated with death or decay. It is often used to describe art, literature, or situations that are unsettling and revolve around the grim aspects of mortality. The term has connotations of the grotesque, and it embodies an appreciation for the disturbing or the eerie elements that surround death. For instance, macabre imagery in horror stories capitalizes on the unsettling quality of death to elicit a visceral reaction from the audience.

While the other terms do carry somber or serious tones, none encapsulate the specific horror-related themes of death or decay as effectively as "macabre." "Grim" suggests a serious or forbidding quality, "morbid" references an unhealthy interest in subjects of death, but "macabre" is the term that most strongly conjures images of the chilling reality of mortality in a dramatic and vivid way. "Joyful," on the other hand, diverges completely from the themes of horror and death, highlighting the contrast with "macabre." This makes "macabre" the most fitting choice for this theme.