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Decoding the fascination behind scary movies
Horror movies are more popular than ever, especially among younger generations. According to a Deloitte study, horror is the third most favourite genre for video content among Gen Z, after comedy and action. In 2020, horror movies accounted for the largest share of the box office in modern history, despite the pandemic shutting down many theatres.
Horror movies have a long and rich history, dating back to the silent era of cinema. Some of the earliest horror films were adaptations of classic novels, such as Frankenstein and Dracula, or inspired by folklore and mythology, such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu. Over the decades, horror movies have evolved and diversified, exploring different themes, styles, and subgenres, such as slashers, zombies, vampires, ghosts, monsters, and more.
But what makes horror movies so appealing and entertaining? What are the psychological reasons behind our fascination with fear? As horror movie expert David J. Skal puts it: “Horror is a universal language; we’re all afraid. We’re born afraid.” In this article, we will explore how horror movies activate our threat detection system, how they trigger excitation transfer and catharsis, how they help us explore the dark side of humanity, and how they vary depending on individual…
