Horror movies are one of the more controversial genres of the movie world. From gore-infested movies like "Saw" to suspenseful intrigue movies like "The Awakening," horror is a greatly diverse genre that doesn't appeal to quite a few, but I'm a lover, and here's why.
Horror movies as a whole are created to incite that rush of adrenaline that gives you a thrill, excitement and ability to let your guard down. It seems silly, but horror movies allow me to get rid of that stress, tension, angry attitude. I tense up so much watching these movies that when the plot is resolved, when everything is said and done, I am more relaxed than when we started. Horror movies serve as that form of catharsis, the ability to let feelings wash over you, put your life and emotions into perspective.
Being scared is not the main reason I watch scary movies, it is just a happy perk. My number one favorite thing about watching horror movies is the thought, logic, and complexity that is put into the plot. See, I'm a logical person, I greatly enjoy logic puzzles, ethical dilemmas, situations that force me to "figure it out," and every horror movie thrives on that singular unknown fact that all of the moments, plot points, and puzzle pieces are winking at. I pride myself on my ability to fit everything together, to figure it out, and that satisfaction is not easy to find elsewhere.
When you start thinking about various holidays, about seasonal music, especially Pagan traditions, something comes to mind for Christmas, New Years, even 4th of July, but what do you think about when thinking about Halloween music? There are three correct answers:
1. "Nightmare Before Christmas"
2. any and all Rob Zombie movies
3. Soundtracks to horror movies.
As an individual who is a movie/cinema fanatic, one of my favorite parts of movies is the score. A movie score sets mood, maintains attention, directs emotion. But a horror movie score is more emotionally present, it puts more oomph into our reactions to music. Horror movies have the absolute best music in my opinion, which makes the movies all the more worth watching.
I probably haven't convinced you to give horror movies another try, but, hopefully, you can understand why it is that so many people love the genre. I love late nights of horror movie double features. My friends and I choose an intense horror movie, something that throws us, rattles our brains, shakes us up, and we watch it. Then, we choose a horror movie that was made prior to 1985, the kind of horror movies where you laugh at the terrible graphics, at the lack of continuous plot, at the ridiculous phrases, and stupid choices made by characters. We embrace a little bit of history, a little bit of science fiction, a little bit of reality, and we spend these nights in fear, laughter, community, and in truth, happiness.
(This scene is from "House on Haunted Hill," a common favorite older movie between me and my friends, I highly recommend it.)
Horror movies are a great tool for many reasons, but I encourage you to find your own. Happy Watching.
