My partner asks me on a regular basis Why do you love horror films? She hates horror and doesn't understand why anyone wants to watch a movie that is trying to scare you, out of choice. Certainly, horror movies are not for everyone, each to their own, but why do we love watching horror? What draws us to the dark side? Maybe it's the adrenaline rush, the thrill of being scared. Or maybe it's the cathartic release, a way to confront our deepest fears?
There's nothing quite like that feeling of your heart pounding in your chest as you watch a terrifying scene unfold on screen. It's an experience that can't be replicated by any other genre really. The suspense, the tension, the jump scares – they all combine to create an emotion that leaves us wanting more.
It's those pesky jump scares in particular that are the proverbial cherry on top. In those heart-stopping instants, our senses are heightened to their utmost, every nerve tingling with anticipation of what's to come next. It's a thrill we seek in the form of horror movies that we don't get in real life, nor do we really want to get in real life either!
Horror movies offer us a somewhat unique form of escapism. I don't know about you, but my life is pretty ordinary and mundane, every day is somewhat predictable, nothing wrong with that of course, I'd say that's pretty normal. Horror movies though can offer us a realm where anything can happen with the fear of the unknown in the safety net of our own surroundings. So is it the thrill and break from reality we seek?
Or is it that primal fear of confronting things that scare us? Do we feel it gives us a sense of control? Does it allow us to confront our anxieties to try and control them more? You know when you punch a pillow when you're angry to try and get control of yourself? Is it the same with horror movies?
And yet, paradoxically, it's precisely this fear that draws us back for more. Like a moth to a flame, we're irresistibly drawn to the darkness, compelled by the thrill of the unknown and the promise of that heart-pounding rush. It's an addiction of sorts, one that leaves us craving the adrenaline-fueled ecstasy of terror, hungry for the next scare.
A research paper done by 2 actual professors said this:
According to these researchers, stimulation is one of the driving forces behind the consumption of horror. Exposure to terrifying acts like stories of demonic possession or alien infestation can be stimulating both mentally and physically. These experiences can give rise to both negative feelings, such as fear or anxiety, and positive feelings, such as excitement or joy. And we tend to feel the most positive emotions when something makes us feel the most negative ones.
Or is it just because horror films are just a lot of fun? Watching them with your mates late at night and sharing the anticipation and scares with others? (Or for me, watching my partner be scared witless when she does watch one with me, sorrynotsorry).
Now call me a bit sadistic, but I find a bit of joy in witnessing the reactions of those around me, especially when it is a movie I have seen before and know what is going to happen. Does that make me a wrong'un?
It's a genre that delves into the depths of human psychology, exploring those deepest fears with unflinching honesty. In the face of supernatural horrors, psychological horror thrillers, or gruesome slasher flicks, we find ourselves confronted with our mortality, our vulnerabilities, and our capacity for both terror and resilience.
With that said, some people simply don't enjoy being scared or find the genre too intense or disturbing, and who can blame them, really?. And that's perfectly okay. We all have different tastes and preferences when it comes to 'entertainment'. But for those of us who are drawn to the dark side, there's something undeniably appealing about horror movies.
Why do you love horror films? Let me know in the comments or join me on Twitter or Instagram.
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