Horror movies have long been a part of the film industry starting with "Le Manoir du Diable" by French filmmaker Georges Meiles in 1896. The first horror films used old folklore and legends such as vampires, ghosts and werewolves to scare and surprise viewers. These ideas haven't changed much and still continue to scare viewers.
For the next few decades, viewers were introduced to "The Mummy", "Frankenstein", "King Kong" and many more. For a while, these horror movies always seemed impossible since the logical person can see that monsters aren't real. That idea began to change in the 1960s. This is when movie watchers were introduced to "Psycho" and "The Birds" by the master of thriller, Alfred Hitchcock. Horror movies became more realistic and people began to wonder, "could this really happen to me?"
Horror movies have changed over the years and filmmakers are working hard to keep watchers on the edge of their seats. Over the past few years, we have seen many remakes of classic horror movies such as "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Evil Dead" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street." These remakes, while very similar to the originals, offer a new take on familiar stories.
As an avid horror movie viewer, I have seen many of the classics, the remakes and the completely new films. I've loved them all. Even if it's technically a B-Movie with bad acting and unrealistic gore, I'm still fascinated and I keep watching. But the real question remains: why do we enjoy being scared?
We like the adrenaline rush.
Watching a horror movie gives you an unusual rush. We know what we're watching isn't real, but we still feel the thrill. Our hearts begin to race and the blood begins to pump faster. It's almost as if we are living vicariously through the actors.
We have a weird, morbid fascination.
What can we say? We're curious! If you've ever wanted to know how people react when being chased by a crazed serial killer, just watch a horror movie. While people do trip and fall in horror movies more than regular people, something about it makes us want to keep watching to see what happens.
Some people genuinely enjoy being scared.
When we are scared, there's a feeling of adrenaline and a level of intensity that remains with us long after the movie is finished. We remember that good feeling and it makes us want more.
Horror films somehow make death less scary.
I don't know why, but constantly being shown death, realistic or not, somehow makes dying a little less scary. It makes it known that it is a natural part of life, and that it will all happen to us someday. The dying, not being murdered by a man in a mask and a chainsaw part.
