At first, we don't know what the son did that has the news reporters camping outside or what causes the mother's shame about being in public which kinda annoyed me, but these facts are revealed later, slowly. I assumed maybe I was reading another version of WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN. In that the story, was from the mother's POV. I guess we are, and to imagine being in her shoes is truly horrifying. She seems to be a good woman with a shit husband and son. We don't know much about her though. We just see her in this most difficult situation.

I'd say it's realistic horror. There is a ghost but it's more of a metaphor. ( )