Why I Love Horror
Analyzing My Lifelong Fascination
I have been fascinated by the horror genre since childhood. As a kid, I inevitably gravitated toward the horror section every time my mom took me to the VHS rental store. This was way back when indie video places were common, before they became a bland homogenized sea of Blockbusters.
Ours smelled like cheap popcorn, plastic, and dust. I remember hearing the incessant ringing of the cash register and seeing the promos for the new releases on the store’s televisions.
I was too young to rent or watch scary movies. Of course, that didn’t stop me from gaping in morbid fascination at the creepy VHS box art, which featured evil clowns, skeletons, zombies, and a wide variety of other creepy monsters.
When I was in my teens, I started regularly watching horror movies and reading horror novels. I was practically obsessed with the Fear Street series, as I explained here. My horror consumption has continued unabated into adulthood, and it shows no sign of slowing down.
A Controversial Genre
I’ve received polarized reactions when I tell people that I love horror. Many light up and say, “Me too!” Numerous others are surprised and even bewildered by my attraction to the genre. “Oh, I don’t like those. They’re too scary for me,” they typically say. Sometimes, they ask me how I can enjoy all that creepy and gross stuff.
As (hopefully rational) human beings, we generally try to avoid experiences that scare us. So why do folks like me enjoy movies and books that are designed to incite fear and anxiety?
That’s actually a great question! Why, exactly, do I like horror? This is a surprisingly difficult question for me to answer. It took some real introspection to write this story.
I don’t think anyone is required to explain or justify why they like or dislike something. Nevertheless, I have three main reasons for why I love horror.
Stimulation
To me, horror is fundamentally more interesting than other genres. Comedies, dramas, and even action flicks don’t get my blood pumping the way horror does. Fear is a major adrenaline trigger.
Rollercoasters are my favorite amusement park ride for the same reason. They’re a hell of a lot more visceral and intense than, say, riding on the merry-go-round. Horror films have a great deal in common with rollercoasters. Watching scary movies and reading spooky novels stimulate me mentally and physically.
Exposure Therapy
I struggle with anxiety. This would make me unlikely to enjoy horror, right? Not so fast. Horror is often desensitizing. This attribute is a drawback if it makes people less empathetic toward victims of real violence, but let’s look at this from a different angle.
I believe that horror enhances my ability to manage my anxiety in real-life situations. In this context, horror fiction functions as a form of exposure therapy. It allows us to confront our fears in a secure space. Here is a psychology article with more information. It discusses the “therapeutic potential of horror media”, including catharsis, reclaiming the narrative, and shared experiences.
Variety
Horror is remarkably versatile. It encompasses a wide range of subgenres, including slashers, body horror, folk horror, giallo, zombies, splatter punk, vampires, werewolves, and much more.
If you’re tired of watching a masked maniac hack people to pieces, there are countless other options. The genre manifests in practically limitless ways.
Virtually every innate human fear has been analyzed and exhibited. Claustrophobia, slimy bugs, natural disasters, creepy old people, evil children, the end of the world, losing your mind, you name it. I never get tired of horror because it features so much diverse content.
It’s Important to Follow Our Passions
Our passions stimulate us emotionally, help us join and develop communities, and enhance our sense of well being. Whatever you’re passionate about, don’t worry if some people think that your interests are weird or dumb. Your passions are an important part of your life, and living authentically means embracing them.
