Several factors make a horror flick scary, and organizational psychology expert Dr. Donald Riggio broke them down in a recent article for Psychology Today. Number one on his list is the inherent human fear of demise. Since most horror films have this as a central theme, it also triggers a feeling of terror.
Dr. Riggio also mentioned darkness, which is likewise a noticeable motif in scary movies. As he noted, it connects with the fear of the dark many people experience as children —not with the dark itself, but with what it might hide.
Of course, a horror film will not have the same impact without suspense. As Dr. Riggio explained, it creates anticipation for something unpleasant while adding the element of unpredictability. It’s also why most of these movies have sudden movements and spooky music.
“They create a startle response and a rush of adrenaline,” Dr. Riggio noted, using the infamous shower scene in Psycho as an example.
It then begs an important question: why do people love watching films that frighten them? Apart from fulfilling their morbid curiosities or enjoying an adrenaline rush in a safe environment, another reason is that these movies reflect our innermost fears and promote introspection.
According to an article in The Conversation by a group of psychology lecturers, some find enjoyment in watching movies that frighten them, to better understand their limits and push their personal boundaries, becoming less fearful of the gruesome realities of life.
The experts also pointed out how horror movies bring pleasure to other people’s misery. Finding enjoyment in the misfortune of others is known in the scientific world as Schadenfreude.
It explains research showing that people with empathy may not enjoy horror films, whereas those with higher sensation-seeking traits do.
While horror movies are not every person’s cup of tea, they can still be a central theme for social events. Watching it with other people may make the experience less scary and more of a communal bonding moment.
Some people may even pick a chilling thriller for a date night and use it as an excuse to snuggle together.
