Saturday 6 December 2014

Why some People Hate Horror Films


Horror by its very nature is designed to shock and illicit a response from the audience. Session 9 is a perfect example of an intense Psychological Horror film. Chemical changes in the body as a person adapts to fear are part of the attraction for many horror fans. For those uncomfortable with these feelings, horror comes to symbolise an unattractive experience and something to avoid.


Most people have inbuilt fears, whether it is through conditioning as children or the fact that within the unconsciousness the fear exists. However this fear is often silent and undisturbed. Darkness, certain creatures like spiders, and loneliness figure strongly in the genetic make-up of every individual. Horror works by tapping into this fear.


When watching horror films the ideas of pure terror is explored. Film works by creating identification between the audience and the characters on the screen. This main protagonist is then subject to the actions of the violent or fearful antagonist within the narrative. It is the protagonist the audience is led to identify with. They are a filmic representation of the audience. In horror the antagonist is the monster that the main character must survive an encounter with. The idea that this horror is being carried out on the audience through the protagonist is the main attraction of horror.


The horror experience heightens emotional intensity. Many people experience fear and then project this onto other individuals. Every individual is unique, but the emotions are often inter-linked within a group experience and psychology. The effect this has is that a horror audience often acts as an amplifier for these emotions. Many people are in an anticipated state when watching horror and this feeling projects onto other members of the audience.

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Feelings associated with the horror genre are fear, anxiety, revulsion, and repulsion. These are strong emotions to feel and may not be comforting or enjoyable to all viewers. People may not enjoy being put into this emotional rollercoaster in the name of entertainment.


Many people fear operations and the sight of blood. With fantastic gore on display in many films the imagery evokes this fear. Advances in technology and special-effects have allowed a full creative flow to emerge into contemporary horror films.


Cinematic convention in the horror film creates suspense to promote emotional impact. It is how horror works. Suspense, attack, and death remain as solid generic conventions of the horror genre. However some people may find the formulaic convention uninspiring and not at all suspenseful. It is with this understanding that a greater reliance pushes many viewers towards Psychological Horror as this genre explores in greater detail the “feeling” of horror rather than focusing on visceral scenes.


It is understandable that some people may hate horror films. Personal preference has always been applicable in how individuals seek pleasure and entertainment. There are many elements of horror that people may find unsettling such as blood or fear and the connected emotional responses. This is not to say horror is a poor genre. It is often very dynamic and original. Horror simply may not suit everybody at the same time.

Check out the reviews and Buy Session 9 - it's just as interesting as Jacob's Ladder!

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