It seems a third of all movies shown in theaters these days are horror flicks. After much study, I know why.
Y’all are crazy.
I say “y’all” because my study also found I’m one of seven people who don’t like horror movies. That’s one of seven globally.
Even in this age of streaming, I still occasionally crave a theater experience, as I did last weekend. I glanced online, and among the options were “THAMMA” and “Black Phone 2.” Fandango labeled each a “Comedy, Horror, Mystery & Thriller.”
I stayed home.
OK, OK. I didn’t do a study. Hey, opinions dressed up as facts work in social media and politics!
Still, actual studies suggest we prefer to experience our fear communally. One asserted that empathetic people are more likely to hate horror.
Then I thought of the empathetic grandmother who recently told me she loves zombie movies.
I’m confused.
Truth is, I’ve never seen a horror movie.
I have experienced horror trailers, though. And even a two-minute preview drives me into a fetal fold, eyes closed, ears covered, whimpering – and afraid.
More About Movies, Sort of
My middle-age encounter with Clarence
Oh the horror. There are stranger things (pun intended). I find it funny that two of my favorite movies — Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile — were written by the horror book writer Stephen King. I last liked a horror movie when Halloween debuted, I think.
But you have seen the news. That’s all I’m saying.
Oh, Mark. That’s funny. And true. Our real horrors ARE worse than our fictional ones.
You are not wrong at all, Jeff. If people didn’t like watching horror movies, there wouldn’t be so many horror movies being made every year. No, I’m not a horror movie watcher at all. Real life offers enough shadows, I don’t need to rent more from the screen. Thanks for the thoughtful piece.
Welcome to my little club, Nahar.
I’m right there with you, Jeff. I must be one of the 7 globally. My attitude is: I don’t pay money to be scared out of my wits. I can do that for free just reading the daily news. I’ve also been told I have an overactive imagination. I prefer to call it “finely honed empathy”.
“Finely honed empathy.” That’s rich. Let’s make it our Club of Seven.
If I’m the grandmother you referred to in your read–and I think I am–I’m flattered. I always look forward to your choice of video to accompany the read. This one didn’t explain my biggest reason for enjoying zombie and other types of horror films, it’s because I love a good movie. Good ones are always about much more than scaring folks. The movie “Sinners” is the best example I can think of.
Loathe them and can’t understand why people watch them. When I was a teenager, I went in for this kind of stuff; but now, I know better. I watch nothing that causes my body to tense up, hate violence, and crooked anybodies.