Research: Horror Film Audiences

Why do people enjoy watching horror films?

The easiest explanation to this question is to look at how horror films are viewed. Horror was one of the first genres to be created and has been a huge success through the decades. It has been said that the enjoyment of horror is down to "terror psychology, morbid curiosity and an unconscious likeness to reality." Some people say that the enjoyment of horror films come from excitement, fear and the adrenaline rush. However, others have said that horror films are enjoyed through the bonding and socialising with others. In a statement by Mark Kermode he explains that, "Within certain certain circles, the very value of watching these films, or at least the value of saying certain things about the viewing experience, is to assert that they do not frighten but only amuse within certain contexts, it would be inappropriate to admit to being frightened by horror films." So it is safe to say that fear is not the biggest factor to why people enjoy watching horror films. 

It has been said that more mainstream audiences find pleasure in horror films through the concept of fear through others surrounding them. When people are asked why they enjoy horror films, the majority reply with the excitement or adrenaline rush. This makes sense as it makes the audience aware of the surreality in horror films, which manipulate the audience's fear into thinking that they are having an thrilling experience with no actual danger within the activity, despite being afraid and watching what is on screen. 

In an article about this, Tania Moleski explains that it is not the films that are scary, but it is the cultural statements, repressions and taboos on a subconscious level that makes us afraid. So, when the audience are watching a horror film, they repress their emotions and therefore it makes them think that they are more primal, so they enjoy it more, because they think that it is cool to act in a certain way when watching horror films and it allows them to show that they are afraid but enjoying it at the same time, this is what causes us to smile or laugh when we are being scared as it is the way that when we repress our emotions, that is the most common way of how people react, only a small amount a genuinely terrified.