Exploring Why People Love Scary Movies: A Psychologist's Perspective
Why do some people find pleasure in watching scary movies? The answer lies in the same reasons why rollercoasters are loved - for the thrill and the sense of safety while experiencing something that may be harmful in real life. Watching scary movies provides a morbid curiosity and a safe outlet to confront and overcome fear.
Historical Patterns in Horror Films: A Mirror of Cultural Fears
Horror films throughout history reflect the collective fears of a society. If one looks back through the history of cinema, one can trace the collective fears of the era through the themes explored in horror movies.
The 1950s: The Cold War and Nuclear Anxiety
The 1950s were marked by the Cold War and the constant threat of nuclear war. Many horror films from this decade revolved around radiation, giant monsters, and hostile aliens created by nuclear experiments. These themes were often metaphors for the fear of communism and Soviet invaders, as the planet Mars, a symbol of war, was often depicted in these films.
The 1960s: Psychedelic Influence and Counter-Culture Fear
The 1960s saw the rise of independent cinema and experimentation. Horror films from this era featured psychedelic influences and prominently portrayed the counter-culture. The fear of the unknown and the rise of occult practices and communal living gave rise to occult horror. The film 'Psycho' by Alfred Hitchcock in 1960 is thought to reflect a collective fear of serial killers. However, the film is also believed to have used this metaphor to symbolize fears of communism, as the innocent boy-next-door transformed into a murderous killer.
The 1970s: Return to Traditional Values
The 1970s saw a cultural backlash against the counter-culture of the 1960s. The Manson trial and the experimentation with alternative belief systems caused many to sour on the counterculture. Films such as 'The Omen,' 'Rosemary’s Baby,' and 'The Exorcist' explored the theme of demonic entities targeting children, with priests as protectors. This reflected a collective return to traditional values and societal norms following the cultural turbulence of the 1960s.
The 1980s: Serial Killers and Technological Fears
The 1980s saw the rise of serial killers as a mainstream phenomenon. Films like 'Halloween' and 'Friday the 13th' established the slasher genre. These films featured faceless and masked killers stalked and murdering seemingly innocent teenagers, mirroring the real-life serial killers of the time. By the mid-to-late 1980s, these killers took on a supernatural or technological aspect.
The 1990s: Fear of Strangers and Technology
The 1990s brought a mixed-bag of horror films, revisiting the slasher genre with 'Scream' and remaking classics such as 'Frankenstein' and 'Dracula.' However, the 90s also saw a fear of strangers in films like 'Bad Influence' and 'Single White Female,' as well as a fear of loved-ones being monsters, depicted in films like 'Sleeping with the Enemy' and 'A Perfect Murder.' There was also a marked fear of technology and the loss of privacy, reflecting the rapid growth of the internet during this period.
These historical patterns in horror films serve as a mirror to the fears of the era. Horror films help us process these collective fears, allowing us to face them in a safe and controlled environment, thereby gaining a sense of mastery and relief from them.
Conclusion
Horror films, therefore, are not merely entertainment; they are vehicles for processing and understanding complex and often uncomfortable aspects of human culture and experience. Whether it's fear of the unknown, love, or technology, horror films offer a safe space to confront these fears, making the experience both thrilling and therapeutic.