updated Aug 24
In the hushed stillness of a moonlit night, when the world holds its breath, the shadows stretch and twist, taking on a life of their own. It’s in these moments—when the eerie silence is punctuated only by the rustle of leaves—that the mind wanders into the realm of horror. Here, emotions, physiological responses, and cognitive processes converge in a dance of darkness, weaving a labyrinth of fear and fascination that captivates us all.
We can break the reasons down into a few points:
- Emotional highs and lows
- Feeling the rush of fear
- A cathartic release
- Pushing your boundaries
- Curiosity
- Identifying ourselves in situations
- The feeling of anticipation
- Exploring themes of being human
But why do we seek out these unsettling experiences?
What is it about horror that compels us to confront the very things we fear the most? The answer lies in the complex psychology of horror—a paradoxical tapestry of emotions that elicits both terror and delight, revulsion and intrigue, repulsion and attraction. Let’s read on to dig deeper into the reasons we love to watch horror.
Feeling the Roller coaster of Emotions
At the heart of horror lies a roller coaster of emotions. Fear, suspense, anxiety, and excitement are all part of the experience. It’s the adrenaline rush that comes with a well-executed jump scare, the heart-pounding anticipation of impending doom, and the cathartic release that follows a spine-chilling climax. These emotions, like characters in a horror narrative, dance across our psyches and leave us thinking long after the movie ends.
Consider the classic horror movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock. The infamous shower scene, with its sharp, staccato violin notes and sudden violence, creates an emotional jolt that lingers long after the scene ends. The terror felt by the audience is immediate and visceral, yet it’s this very fear that keeps us glued to the screen, wanting more.
But why do we willingly subject ourselves to such emotional turmoil? The thrill of confronting our deepest fears in a safe and controlled environment is part of the answer. The rush of adrenaline, the surge of excitement—these are what draw us to the edge of our seats, eager to be swept away by the tides of terror.
The Fear Response
Fear is not just an emotion; it’s a physiological response deeply rooted in our primal instincts. When faced with a threat, our bodies kick into high gear, triggering the “fight or flight” response. Heart rate increases, palms sweat, and senses become heightened—our bodies prepare to react to danger lurking in the shadows.
Jump scares are particularly effective in triggering this response. They play on our instincts, keeping us on edge and alert. The anticipation of the unknown, the uncertainty of what lies beyond the next corner, hooks us, making every creak of the floorboards and whisper of the wind a potential harbinger of doom.
In the 2013 horror movie The Conjuring, director James Wan masterfully uses jump scares to keep the audience in a constant state of suspense. The scene where the ghostly figure claps in the darkness is a prime example. The sudden, unexpected nature of the scare taps directly into our fear response, making us jump in our seats and then laugh nervously at our reaction.
Catharsis our Psychological Release
Horror is not just about fear; it’s also about release. It offers a safe space to confront and process pent-up emotions and fears, providing a cathartic experience that is both exhilarating and therapeutic. When we scream in terror at a horror movie or feel our hearts race in a haunted attraction, we are releasing the tension that has built up within us. It’s a way to let go of our inner demons in a controlled and cathartic manner.
This release is like opening a pressure valve, allowing the steam of our anxieties and fears to escape. It’s a psychological purge, a way to cleanse ourselves of the negative emotions that weigh us down. In the darkness of horror, we find light—a light that illuminates the hidden corners of our minds and souls.
The 2017 film Get Out by Jordan Peele offers a unique cathartic experience. As the protagonist fights against the insidious forces of racism and mind control, the audience experiences a buildup of tension and anxiety. The eventual triumph of the protagonist provides a powerful release, not just of fear, but of the underlying social anxieties the film explores.
Pushing our boundaries with Controlled Discomfort
Why subject ourselves to discomfort and fear? The answer lies in the controlled nature of horror experiences. Unlike real-life threats that can cause harm, horror offers a safe environment to confront our fears and push the boundaries of our comfort zones.
Imagine standing on the edge of a precipice, looking down into the abyss below. The fear is real, palpable, but you know the ground beneath you is solid—the abyss is just an illusion. This controlled discomfort is a form of training, a way to prepare ourselves for the challenges life throws our way. By exposing ourselves to controlled doses of fear, we build resilience, strength, and courage—the very qualities that help us navigate the uncertainties of life.
Haunted house attractions, like those found at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, are designed to push the boundaries of fear while keeping participants safe. Visitors willingly enter these spaces, knowing they’ll be terrified but also knowing that no real harm will come to them. This controlled discomfort allows them to experience fear in a way that is thrilling rather than traumatizing
Morbid Curiosity
Humans have always had a morbid curiosity about the unknown and the dark aspects of life. We are drawn to tales of the macabre, stories of monsters and mysteries that lurk in the shadows. True crime documentaries, horror novels, and ghost stories have been part of our storytelling for centuries, tapping into our interest with the darker aspects of human nature.
But why do we find such dark and disturbing stories so compelling? Perhaps it’s the thrill of the unknown, the adrenaline rush that comes with exploring forbidden territory. Or maybe it’s the satisfaction of knowing that we are safe, that the horrors we encounter are confined to the realm of fiction.
The popularity of Stephen King’s novels feed into our morbid curiosity. Books like It and The Shining dig into the dark corners of the human mind and explore themes of fear, madness, and the supernatural. Readers are drawn to these stories not just for the scares, but for the exploration of the unknown and the forbidden.
Identifying with Characters
In the world of horror, we often find ourselves identifying with the characters, the heroes, the victims and even the monsters. We put ourselves in their shoes, feeling their fear, pain, and triumphs. This identification creates a deep sense of empathy and connection, heightening the emotional impact of the story.
When we watch a horror movie, we aren’t just passive observers; we are active participants, experiencing the terror alongside the characters. We feel their heartbeat quicken, their breath catch in their throats, their relief when the danger passes. This emotional investment makes the horror more visceral, more real, drawing us deeper into the narrative.
The character of Laurie Strode in Halloween (1978) is a quintessential “final girl,” someone with whom audiences deeply identify. Her fear and determination become our own as we watch her navigate the terror of being stalked by Michael Myers. This identification makes the film’s horror more personal and impactful.
Suspense and Surprise
At the heart of every good horror story lies suspense—the anticipation of what’s to come, the uncertainty that keeps us on edge. It’s the slow build-up, the gradual unveiling of horrors lurking just out of sight, that creates a sense of dread and anticipation.
And then comes the twist, the unexpected turn of events that catches us off guard. It’s the element of surprise, the shock of the unknown, that sends shivers down our spines and leaves us gasping for breath. Horror thrives on suspense and surprise, keeping us hooked from beginning to end.
The 1999 film The Sixth Sense, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, is known for its suspenseful atmosphere and shocking twist ending. The revelation that the protagonist has been dead all along recontextualizes everything that came before, leaving audiences both shocked and deeply satisfied by the surprise.
Symbolism and Metaphor
Horror is not just about scares and shocks—it’s also a reflection of deeper truths and societal fears. Many horror stories serve as metaphors for real-life anxieties, exploring themes of loss, isolation, identity, and the human condition.
George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) is often interpreted as a metaphor for social anxieties of the time, particularly related to race and the civil rights movement. The film’s depiction of a black protagonist in a predominantly white world being attacked by mindless hordes can be seen as a commentary on the dehumanization and violence experienced by African Americans during the 1960s
Escapism, from ordinary to extraordinary
In the darkness of horror, we find a form of escapism—a temporary reprieve from the mundanity of everyday life. It’s a chance to step into a world of fantasy and imagination, to experience thrills and chills that we would never encounter in reality.
For a brief moment, we are transported to haunted houses, eerie forests, and cursed mansions, our senses heightened, our hearts racing. It’s a break from the ordinary, a journey into the extraordinary, where the rules of logic and reason are suspended, and anything is possible.
The Stranger Things series on Netflix offers viewers an escape into a world where the supernatural is real, and ordinary people must confront extraordinary threats. The nostalgic 1980s setting, combined with the supernatural elements, allows viewers to escape into a world that is both familiar and fantastical.
Social Aspects, fear with friends
Finally, horror has a social aspect—a communal experience that brings people together. Watching a horror movie with friends, visiting a haunted house, or sharing ghost stories around a campfire creates a sense of camaraderie. It’s a shared journey into the unknown, where the experience is amplified by the reactions of those around us.
This social aspect of horror adds an extra layer of enjoyment, turning fear into fun and creating memories that last a lifetime.
The popularity of horror conventions, such as Comic-Con’s horror panels or the growing number of horror cons and movie festivals show the social nature of the genre. Fans can come together to celebrate their love for all things spooky, sharing experiences, learning and bonding over their favorite scares.
In closing
Whether we think we are just watching horror for a good time, horror does give us a lot of depth for our viewing experience. Horror is a genre that taps into the recesses of our minds, exploring the complexities of human emotion, fear, and fascination. Whether it’s the thrill of the unknown, the catharsis of confronting our fears, or the escapism of stepping into a world of darkness and mystery, horror has a power to give us a satisfying experience. It’s a journey into the shadows, a dance with the unknown, and a reminder that even in the darkest of places, there is light—if only we dare to seek it out.
Uncanny Lounge 
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