By: Sara Meng, Staff-Writer
Horror, in its many forms, has captivated audiences for centuries. From the early tales about monsters to today’s psychological thrillers and slasher films, horror has always managed to provoke fear while keeping us glued to our seats. As a horror enthusiast, I always wondered why exactly do we willingly subject ourselves to fear?
The roots of horror trace back to the early 1900s with films like The Phantom of the Opera (1925), one of the earlier examples of horror on screen. As the film industry grew, horror naturally dispersed and diffused between cultures. I still remember growing up listening to haunting Chinese ghost stories or watching Japanese urban legends. The Japanese horror industry capitalized on folklore and urban legends, while Europeans welcomed gothic and psychological horror. In the West, Hollywood’s golden era of horror began with classics like Dracula and Frankenstein, which brought these monstrous figures to life and shaped the baseline of the genre as we know it today.
The goal of horror is simple: to use foreign concepts to frighten, shock, and disturb. Classics like Frankenstein or The Exorcist remain cultural icons. More recent films, such as Hereditary or A Quiet Place, are slowly evolving to become more complex, specifically on a psychological level. In each case, a prominent aspect stands out: horror reflected the societal fears of the time, which is linked to direct psychological appeal. Evan Chan, a skyline college freshman, explains, “The scares really get me, it’s like gambling, I love the adrenaline rush it gives me. Also, the villains are always fine.”
Obviously, not everyone will love horror movies due to these reasons. Emma Pham (12) expresses her thoughts, “I hate horror anything, the jumpscares, they always get me. I feel ill when watching them.”
Psychologically, our love for horror comes down to our fascination with fear. Personally, I live for horror. The feeling of jumping and screaming, being scared but still pushing forward, is simply addicting. Concordia University’s research shows that horror taps into our survival instincts. It’s a controlled way of facing danger without the actual threat. This allows us to experience fear but with the understanding that we’re safe. This controlled fear triggers the release of adrenaline along with dopamine, which can be exhilarating and simply addicting.
In addition, horror movies allow us to process real-world anxieties in a fake context. Films about zombies, for instance, often reflect societal fears of death or the collapse of society. By confronting these anxieties on screen, we gain a sense of control over them. Almost like connecting with the trauma, our brain reacts with a dopamine response called “rest and digest.” this is where dopamine floods our brain and aids in calming our hormones when going through these experiences. The brain’s natural release of dopamine during these moments also keeps us coming back for more.
The genre has adapted to match our evolving tastes and trends. Modern audiences, with more exposure to media and technology, strain for more complexity in their horror. Psychological thrillers that explore the human mind have gained attention, while traditional jump scares have become less common. We now crave horror that mirrors real life, something that might fall between the uncanny valley, blurring the line between the supernatural and the ordinary.
Ultimately, our love comes from its ability to evoke strong emotions while in a safe environment. It allows us to confront our fears, whether they be societal, psychological, or supernatural, and keep us watchers hooked at the same time. Horror has grown with us, from monsters in early cinemas to the current psychological hauntings, we remain fascinated with the mystery surrounding us. I believe that horror will only continue evolving, becoming more addicting in terrifyingly new, and exciting ways.
