Why Some People Love Horror Movies

Control in a safe environment

Another factor that could be the element of control we have as viewers, as suggested by Clark McCauley in When Screen Violence Is Not Attractive. Clark suggests that the fictional nature of horror films allows us as viewers a greater sense of control through placing psychological distance between us and the violence we watch. This understanding that what we are watching isn’t real helps create distance, allowing us to immerse ourselves in what we are watching.