Emotions In Horror Films

negotiates with what one may feel when, or after, viewing a horror film. While this may

“Why we crave horror movie” is a type of mini review written by Stephen King in playboy 1981 in which he had discussed, various features of the horror movies. Stephen King is an American writer well famous for writing the horror movies and is popular in the world of literature as Richard Bachman. In this mini-review King had used an ethical approach to delineate the differences between the some of the horror movies and to highlight certain psychological factors responsible for people’s craving for the horror movies. In this piece of writing, King had spotted certain emotions that become reason for this psychological drive. Moreover, he by using his straightforward approach

Do you enjoy watching murder, the paranormal, and any other morbid scene which makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, your palms sweat, and your adrenaline surge? Why people enjoy watching murder, tragedy, and carnage in their spare time has been a mysterious phenomenon. If these gruesomely horrific scenes would not be enjoyable in real life, why is watching a recreation of it so riveting? Stephen King, a world-renowned horror novelist, wrote “Why We Crave Horror Movies” to give insight as to why horror movies, although gruesome and morbid, captivate audiences. King also aims to persuade readers to continue to watch horror movies, arguing that they are a crucial part of keeping sanity. King delves into this psychological aspect of humans and believes that the desire to watch horror films is a normal tendency of humankind. “Why We Crave Horror Movies” includes appeals to emotion, logic, and author credibility in order to convince readers of the positive, normal desire to watch horror films, why it is important to watch them, and why the reader should believe what the author is saying. King utilizes the rhetorical devices—pathos, logos, and ethos—in an effective way through the use of metaphor, logic, humor, and emotion to persuade readers that watching horror films is normal.

Since it’s infancy at the beginning of the eighteenth century, horror has followed certain conventions that results in an awakening of the senses, evoking intense emotions of fear and terror in the audience. Horror feeds off triggering the primal fears embedded within all of humankind, creating a sense of menace that is the very substance of this genre. Furthermore, the central menace of a piece tends to enlighten the human mind to the world of the paranormal and the enigmatic, dark side of the unknown. The movie “Psycho” directed by Alfred Hitchcock is a perfect example. Infamous for its shower scene, but immortal for its contribution to the horror genre, “Psycho” was filmed with great tact, grace and art in regards to horror conventions.

During 1981 there was a huge development in technology. In that same year of 1981, Stephen King published an article in the Playboy magazine by the name of “Why We Crave Horror Movies.” In his essay he wrote about why people enjoy watching horror films. King intends this essay toward young men who watch horror films. He mentions that everyone is a little insane and that it is okay to be that way. He wants young men to know and understand that there is something more to it then just wanting to get scared when watching horror movies, it is for young men's insanity relief so that the good emotions can be expressed. Back then there was a stigma, mostly in religious people, parents, and psychiatrists, but it is still present today. Critics believe that horror films were made to scare viewers and draw in the negative things. King is famous for horror movies and is known to be the king of them. The article “Why We Crave Horror Movies” was written forty years ago by King who is the author of many popular horror books and films King persuades young adults that it is okay to watch horror movies because everyone is a little bit insane in the inside.

King is mistaken in his claim that people see horror movies for personal pleasure. Not all people find horror movies emotionally soothing. According to King, “The fun comes from seeing others menaced – sometimes killed” (6). This statement is false since people aren’t generally amused by the sight of a dead

As King argues, the horror genre serves a specific purpose to allow us an outlet to let out anticivilization emotions. These movies let us lapse into our most simplistic mindset, enjoying the pain and suffering of other people. As King says, “it urges us to put away our more civilized and adult penchant for analysis and to become children again...the invitation to lapse into simplicity, irrationality, and even outright madness is extended so rarely” (King 2). The human

I can appreciate the mystery and shock that I get when watching a horror film. Steven King goes on to say that I watch because I want to show I’m not afraid. He goes on to say that it’s like a roller coaster. A good horror movie would get a good scream out of me like a roller coaster. I agree with him on this analogy. Also, that horror films are made to get a reaction out of me. It’s true depending on how scary the film is I might hide my face or leave the room and come back when it’s over. “We go to have fun” he goes on to say it’s a certain kind of fun.

The Paranormal Activity, Saw, and the Walking Dead series are thought to be some of the best horror films and thrillers. Some people who might not like horror genre might wonder why people are watching these productions. Sharon Begley from The Daily Beast identifies in her article “Why Our Brains Love Horror Movies,” that people are watching these movies because horror genre movies give audiences a “powerful feeling of emotional and emphasize old-fashioned belief about morality” (Begley, 2011). She compares her argument to the younger generation and older generation’s correlation of watching horror movies to remark her arguments. She primarily focuses on the statistical research and studies from experts, such as John Edward Campbell at Temple University and Stuart Fischoff of Psychology Department at California State University.

We as humans all have a little insanity among us. By no means does this insinuate for one to go out on a killing spree or torture helpless animals. Simply it is a statement that as humans, we all crave the need for a basic animalistic nature that enthralls us with the lust of horror. Has horror movies become the “modern version of the public lynching” (562)? Why do so many Americans crave the need to view horror films?

A stimulating long-form look at how horror films imitate the fears and anxieties society won't discuss, "The Monster Show" is likely to resonate most with this category fans. Author David J. Skal certainly takes some liberties

When we watch horror movies we let our diabolical inner self free for a brief moment in time, which in return, lets us live our lives as “normal”

A girl runs frantically through the woods trying to escape an axe wielding villain. The defenseless victim suddenly trips and collapses to the ground. The villain laughs wickedly as he lifts the axe above his head. The girl releases a final scream as the weapon quickly ends her life, causing the audience to go silent as they watch the villain drag away the lifeless body. Death, blood, guts, suspense, screaming, and terror are all just a few things to expect when watching a modern day horror film. What is horror? Horror can be defined as an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. (Wilson) The description of horror is not very pleasant, but for some reason horror films are extremely popular. Why is this so? People are addicted to the

Horror films are movies that aim to elicit a strong physiological reaction in the viewer, such as raised heartbeat and fear. Three horror films by the names of Psycho, Scream and The Messengers will be analysed and compared to an episode of the popular children’s show Shaun the Sheep. Five elements will be addressed in this analysis, those being camera techniques, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting and Sound.

The media has a way of influencing people of all ages. Specifically, violence and horror in the media are the most debated. Why do people go to watch violent movies or horror movies? They go for entertainment without realizing the physical or mental effects. Kathy Benjamin’s “5 Scientific Ways Watching Movies Effects You” and Bernie DeGroat’s “Scary Movies Can Have Lasting Effects on Children and Teens” both mention the negative effects of movies, especially horror movies, with research or studies. However, only one of the essays, “5 Scientific Ways Watching Movies Effects You,” mentions some positive effects. Statistics have shown that watching these type movies can have short and long term repercussions.