Why Some People Love Horror Movies

Humans spend their lives trying to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, yet we often go out of our way to make ourselves scared or allow ourselves to be frightened. We seek out and enjoy haunted rides at theme parks, read the classic ghostly masterpieces of M. R. James, or quake under our duvets after reading the latest spine chiller. Why? For the most part, the reason is because this is the sort of fear we can be in control of. We know that what we are reading isn’t real; that unlike many of the things in our world which frighten us, this is a fear we have a choice over – we can read it or not read it. We can watch the horror movie or switch it off. Either way, a happy – or at least safe – ending for the reader or viewer is assured.