Horror movies and the horror genre have captivated audiences for centuries, evoking strong emotions and unforgettable terrors. Despite the graphic and sometimes gruesome depictions of violence, gore, and terror, there's no denying that people keep coming back for more. But why do we like horror movies? What exactly are we drawn to in this cinematic genre? What about horror movies compels us to watch, even when the experience is unsettling?
At its core, the horror genre speaks to our most primal fears and anxieties. Humans are instinctively drawn to danger and the unknown, partly because it reminds us that we are alive. The thrill of the unknown is what makes us feel more alive than ever, and horror movies capitalize on that sense of fear and anticipation, drawing us in and keeping us on the edge of our seats. This connection with our fears is so strong that it triggers different areas of our brains, and the adrenaline release that follows the jump scares feeds our desire for intense emotions.
But Why Do We Like to be Scared?
The enjoyment of being scared can be attributed to a complex interplay of psychological, physiological, and emotional factors. When we watch a horror movie or engage in a scary experience, our bodies produce adrenaline and endorphins in response to the perceived threat. This natural response activates our fight-or-flight instincts, triggering heightened arousal and awareness. The sense of relief and euphoria that follows when the perceived threat is revealed as non-threatening can be incredibly satisfying and even addictive.
Additionally, the controlled environment of a horror movie allows us to confront our fears in a safe setting, providing cathartic release and a sense of empowerment over our anxieties. Furthermore, being scared may also evoke a sense of camaraderie and connection when shared with others, leading to a communal experience of facing fears and overcoming challenges. Ultimately, the thrill of being scared taps into our innate desire for excitement, challenge, and the full spectrum of human emotions, making it a compelling and intriguing experience for many.
Horror Connects With Our Fears, But it's Also Fun to Watch!
Fear is a powerful emotion that evolved to protect us from threats. We're hard-wired to respond quickly to danger, and fear is also contagious—one person's fear can quickly spread through a group.
Fear of the unknown (and what lies beyond) is one of our most primal fears. We don't know what's in space or deep underwater; it could be anything! With horror movies, we can explore these fears safely by watching someone else do it instead of having to venture into new and potentially dangerous territory ourselves.
Another big topic for horror fans is death itself, not only dying but also being killed by someone else or some other entity that wants us dead (or worse). We are scared because it takes away our control over ourselves and makes us powerless against whatever threatens us with pain or death, and thus taps into another primal instinct: survival at all costs!
We Like to See How Characters React and Overcome Challenges in Horror Stories.
In horror stories and movies, characters are often ordinary people forced to overcome their fears to survive. In many cases, they must face tough choices we would not like to make ourselves. For example, if you found yourself waking up in a trap from the movie Saw, would you have the strength to make the necessary choices to survive? These are hard questions to answer, and obviously much easier to answer sitting comfortably on your couch at home.
Themes Such as Redemption Are Common in Horror Stories.
Redemption is a theme in many horror stories and is a common theme in other genres, including action movies and Westerns. In the horror genre, redemption can mean someone makes amends for their past actions by doing something good or helpful, like when a villainous character turns out to have a heart of gold and becomes an ally of the protagonists. More often than not, however, in horror, redemption comes from a character getting revenge on someone or something that genuinely deserves some retributory justice, like when the killer finally gets taken out by the unsuspecting protagonist. This aspect alone can be found in most horror movies if you really look at them: Gremlins, The Thing, Midsommar, I Spit On Your Grave, they all tell a story of redemption through the underdog defeating a powerful negative force. Seeing someone overcome such difficult challenges gives us hope that we might be able to do the same if we needed to. This is why we love these types of films and connect so much with horror movies and the unlucky victims in each.
The Genre Offers a Wide Variety of Stories That Appeal to Different People.
Horror is a genre that appeals to people with different tastes. Some like the thrill of being scared, while others enjoy the stories themselves. Horror stories often involve overcoming challenges, which can be exciting and empowering for some people. They allow us to see how characters react when faced with death-defying situations, forcing us to ask ourselves: Could we muster the strength to survive?
Horror is a popular genre because it tells exciting stories, provides us with escapism from our lives and makes us feel powerful by showing us characters who fight back against their fears. Horror can tell any kind of story, but some common themes run through most horror movies. For example, horror is constantly used to critique society or culture (e.g., The Exorcist) and can also be used as social commentary on topics like racism (Get Out), gender identity (The Silence of the Lambs), or environmental issues (The Happening).
Conclusion
Horror movies allow us to play with the laws of reality and venture into different worlds where anything can happen. They allow us to indulge in our wildest fantasies and curiosities without real consequences and explore things we never thought possible. They force us to face our deepest fears and question our own perspectives.
Overall, there is no denying that horror movies hold a particular fascination for many people. They speak directly to our primal fears, simultaneously offering us an escape from reality. Whether it's the cathartic release of fear, the exhilaration of adrenaline, or the satisfaction of exploring the darker side of human nature, there are countless reasons why people continue to love and consume horror movies.
These stories, however, are only meant to be enjoyed as entertainment; they're not real! If you find yourself feeling afraid or uncomfortable after watching a scary movie or reading a book about monsters, try turning on the lights in your room and listening to music before falling asleep, watching a funny video, or doing something to calm yourself. This will help ease any anxiety caused by this and hopefully prevent bad dreams.
Here at Sinister Cupcakes, we love horror movies and everything involving a good scare. If you want to check out some of our horror movie video reviews or our original shorts, you can do so here. If you want to check out our references, don't be afraid to take a look on NPR.
Comentarios