Scary movies attract all kinds of people for many different reasons. For some, it’s the adrenaline; for others, it is simply the experience of being a detective.
With Halloween etching closer by the minute, horror just seems to have a greater appeal than “High School Musical” or “Mean Girls,” but that’s not the only reason we crave them.
Research done by the American Psychological Institution suggests that people are sensation and risk seekers. The idea of being able to feed that desire without putting oneself in harm’s way contributes to most people’s craving for horror films.
“Your amygdala will be very highly active when certain brain regions are activated. It also has a specific autonomic nervous response to our bodies, so your heart rate will increase, your respiration will increase, and your breathing will be harder. That heightens our arousal levels,” said Marcus Beltramo, the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology teacher at Carlmont High School.
Being an adventurer—as most kids are—comes with a craving for the risk and adrenaline that scary movies provide, leading even more people down the rigorous slope of horror films.
“I think somebody who is adventurous and curious would probably enjoy scary movies more or seek out thrillers,” said Tessa Cuchelkar, a sophomore at Carlmont.
Another study shows that in addition to sensation seekers, some people watch scary movies for a chance to put the pieces together and solve a great mystery. Movies provide a safer, easier, and overall better way to experience and enjoy more than one passion at a time. People of different occupations and backgrounds, from firemen to accountants, can all experience the thrill of solving a mystery through these movies.
“I really like the amount of suspense scary movies provide, and it just provides a kind of thrill. It’s very exciting to watch,” Cuchelkar said.
Scary movies are classics because they invoke some of our most curious sides and bring out our adventuristic characteristics.
“It’s like going on a roller coaster. You’re scared of heights, but it’s fun doing it. It’s the excitement of getting to see something scary, something different,” said Victoria Chow, a freshman. “It’s something new instead of watching the same thing over and over again.”
