I’ve never understood the appeal of scary movies.
It never made sense to me why people like to be scared on purpose. Why would I voluntarily choose to sit through two hours of terror, to leave feeling scared and constantly checking over my shoulder and jumping at every sudden sound?
All the scary movies I’ve watched (or attempted to watch) follow the same formula: a creepy setting, clueless characters making terrible decisions and a villain who jumps out of nowhere just to make you scream.
The plot usually takes a backseat, and the whole point seems to be to get you to jump out of your skin. For me that’s not a fun experience.
Take the movie “The Conjuring,” for example, with its creepy old house and predictable jump scares. It left me more anxious than entertained.
As the characters wandered into the basement despite the obvious warning signs, I found myself questioning why anyone would put themselves through this.
I’m not alone in this. One reviewer from the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) put it perfectly: “The scares were way too predictable, the script felt one note, and even though I went in cold I could still see the ending a mile away.” That’s exactly how I felt good movies surprise you, keep you engaged and make you think. Scary movies do not.
A plot twist, an unexpected turn or a laugh can make your movie-watching experience much better, but when you’re watching a horror movie the plot is always the same. You know the plot twist is going to be that a person is going to die or some monster or villian is lurking around the corner.
The bad guy is predictable, and the music always gives it away. Consider the iconic “Friday the 13″ where the eerie sound signals when the killer is going to show up. Don’t you want to be surprised once in a while?
These movies are just too predictable and take away the elements which make movies good. This leads me to feel like the entire point of this is just to create anxiety, and honestly I can do without that in my life.
But here’s the thing. While I personally find scary movies to be predictable and anxiety-inducing, I understand why people watch them. There’s a thrill in the suspense that other genres just don’t have.
According to Haiyang Yang, a writer for Harvard business law, “One reason we consume horror is to experience stimulation. Exposure to terrifying acts, or even the anticipation of those acts, can stimulate us — both mentally and physically.”
In other words most people enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes from being scared in a controlled environment. Some people also appreciate the talent involved in creating suspense and crafting jump scares that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
While Yang argues that people watch horror movies for the mental and physical stimulation that comes with being scared, I believe the constant anticipation of terror is exhausting rather than exciting.
Glenn Sparks, a professor at Purdue University who teaches communication, explains that horror films can create long-lasting effects, he said, “People’s stress levels can skyrocket during these films, and the emotional response can leave them feeling drained.”
For some the stimulation might feel enjoyable, but for others like me the fear lingers long after the movie ends leaving me unsettled and exhausted.
There are plenty of other more enjoyable genres that won’t. So why waste my time with horror movies?
Many people, myself included, often reach for a light-hearted movie or show after watching a horror film to calm down and shake off the lingering tension.
Life comes with enough stress already. Why add to it by watching something designed to make you anxious?
For me, the choice is easy. I’d rather watch movies that leave me smiling than checking behind every door.
