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The relationship between artificial entities' human likeness and aesthetic preference is thought to be best modelled by an N -shaped cubic "uncanny valley" function, which however suffers from conceptual criticisms and lack of parsimony. Here it is argued that uncanniness effects may instead be modelled by a linear function of deviation moderated by perceptual specialization. The two models are compared in an experiment with five incrementally distorted face types (cartoon, CG, drawing, real, robot). Recognition performance for upright and inverted faces were used as a specialization measure. Specialization significantly moderated the linear effect of distortion on uncanniness, and could explain the data better than a conventional uncanny valley. The uncanny valley may thus be better understood as a moderated linear function of specialization sensitizing the uncanniness of deviating stimuli. This simpler yet more accurate model is compatible with neurocognitive theories and can explain uncanniness effects beyond the conventional uncanny valley. • Face realism affects both specialization and deviation sensitivity. • Specialization moderates the effect of deviation on uncanniness in faces. • This moderated linear function explains uncanniness better than a cubic "uncanny valley" model. • Parsimony, accuracy, generalizability, and plausibility of the moderation model over the uncanny valley are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]