Stephen King explains to us that horror movies are designed so that they may frighten and cause people to panic. These types of movies heighten the audiences’ fears while entertaining us at the same time. In Stephen Kings writing “Why we crave Horror movies”, he states that it is because we want to show that we are not afraid of a simple flat screen motion picture.” Horror Films are defined as scary and sometimes suspenseful in other venues. Also, individuals who enjoy a sense of mystery and illusion love the scare tactics and how much it possesses your emotions.
I believe King’s claim that people can crave horror movies for their personal thrills is true. Mainly because he mentions real-life scenarios of crossing paths with mentality and reality. Also, he states how we go to see horror movies to have fun which is also true because people go to see horror movies for the thrill of it; people take it as a challenge to not be afraid when presented with a subject that results in fear. People who enjoy horror movies might see them as an outlet to explore dark thoughts and fantasies without embracing them.
These thrills can be acted upon in the minds of the audiences as they view the horror movies. As they sit in their seats they can let all their formal and moral views out the window so to speak.
Some may view this as barbaric acts of entertainment but these ‘acts’ can be released in the dark theatres and not into the world. For example, in Kings ‘statement,” Why bother? Because it keeps them from getting out, man. It keeps them down there and me up here.”
Basically, stating that he’d rather see us perform these evil premonitions and thoughts in the depths of our mind than see us perform the acts in the real world. This worlds sense of humor has always been sadistic and sick in a sense that we laugh at the pain inflicted on to others as well as onto ourselves. The heightened experiences we sense from horror movies give us that same feeling of fear and pain. It’s why we laugh after we get scared, the slight chuckles of excitement we give to each other after we experience what we’ve just been through. For decades, fear has run this industry and will still run it as long as it’s still
In Conclusion, King’s ideas on Why We Crave Horror Movies can explain why we act the way we do, and why horror movies today are so popularized by society. Horror movies will continue to entrap our fear and scare us to death. We will forever love the ideas and the suspense horror brings us. It will always keep us on the edge of our seats and on our toes as we wait for the next fatal turn or climax of the movie. For that reason alone, we can always look toward the jaw- clenching terror that’s created when we see the gore on the big screen.
References
- Stephen King Official Website
- IMDb – The Internet Movie Database
- Rotten Tomatoes – Movie Reviews and Ratings
- Metacritic – Movie Reviews, TV Reviews, Game Reviews, and Music Reviews
- Netflix – Watch TV Shows Online, Watch Movies Online
- Hulu – Watch TV shows and movies online
- Amazon Prime Video – Free Trial
- YouTube – Watch Videos, Music, and Live Streams
- Box Office Mojo – Movie Box Office Results, Charts, and Release Information
- Variety – Film News, Film Reviews, Film Festivals, Film Awards and more“~