Why We Love Horror Films

by Alyssa Mills .

As we move into October and the official start of ‘spooky season’, it’s growing more and more difficult to avoid horror. Horror is all around us. Whether it’s required viewing of classics like the Shining or the Night of the Living Dead or one of the countless horror films coming out this year, (just take X, Barbarian, and Nope as a few examples) horror is all around us. Many of us enjoy the thrill of a good scary movie, but for those firmly in the anti-horror camp, the question arises – why would people pay to be scared? Fear is a negative emotion, and when there is a wealth of films that provoke more positive reactions to choose from, why does horror remain so incredibly popular?

Like most things, enjoyment of horror comes down largely to psychology. Researchers attribute the appeal of horror to three key aspects which must be delicately balanced by filmmakers. First is tension and the resulting chemical reactions that play out in our brains. Second is relevance, often presenting as social commentary or a form of connection between the film and our lives, making the protagonists relatable and the plot all the scarier. Third is an element of unrealism; we are aware that what we’re watching is fictional, just actors playing to a script, which allows us to experience fear in a safe way. This safety is critical to actual enjoyment of the fear-inducing elements of our favourite horror films.

The building and eventual release of tension is the primary marker of a good horror film. As we watch the final girl cautiously descend the stairs into the dark basement, music slowly rising, we feel a sense of uneasiness. Because the viewer is aware of the genre we are watching, we start filling in the blanks, predicting what’s coming next. She slowly creaks open the door. Our hearts pound. This build-up of tension makes our investment the inevitable climax of the film much stronger than in other genres of film. When the physical effects of this fear and adrenaline wear off, we are left with a sense of relief in the form of endorphins and dopamine after realizing we are, in fact, safe from the existential terror we have been facing during the film. These chemicals are addictive, and for hardcore horror fans, keep us coming back for more.

The second element that makes horror movies so enjoyable is relevance. Nearly every film has some level of relevance to our lives, that’s what makes us connect with the protagonists. Horror movies are largely unique, however, in their approach to social commentary. Horror exists as a tool to tap into and examine those universal human fears and interpret them in new ways. Though not a film, a favourite podcast of mine, the horror fiction show the Magnus Archives outlines 14 fundamental fears that affect people in different ways.

This idea that we only have so many base fears, many of which are evolutionarily based, is one used by horror filmmakers in both a literal and more referential sense all the time. For example, Alien taps into a deep-seated fear of a powerful, unidentified beast – a straightforward fear of being eaten or otherwise killed. In contrast, films like Midsommar or the Shining create a sense of unease, our fear of losing our own minds and subsequently, our control over ourselves and our surroundings. Ultimately, this loss of control is a major theme in horror, and one that will resonate with every viewer.

The final element that allows us to enjoy horror is what’s called a protection frame. Before we can experience the relief of safety, we have to feel safe, and we do that through the recognition of unrealism. Though our brains may initiate fight or flight, cognitively, we are aware that we are simply watching actors on a screen, acting out a script with the aid of VFX. This can be manipulated by directors to make the film that much scarier with tags like ‘based on a true story’ or marketing strategies like the one used for Blair Witch Project, which convinced viewers they were seeing real found footage.

In the end, horror isn’t for everyone. For some, the negative feelings of fear and adrenaline are not outweighed by the eventual relief of dopamine. For others, they have a harder time tapping into the protection framework, or they have a high level of empathy for the characters. Horror is a diverse and highly subjective genre, and people enjoy it for different reasons. Some find paranormal elements cheesy, where others find it evocative and terrifying. Some like straight up slashers, where others prefer psychological horror, or horror-comedies like Bodies, Bodies, Bodies or the Cabin in the Woods. Regardless of your preferences or the reasons you like a good horror, there are plenty of options, and we can’t wait to enjoy a good scare this Halloween season!