When you watch a scary scene, your brain quickly reacts to process fear. The amygdala, which handles emotions, triggers a panic response to keep you safe, while the hippocampus helps make sense of the fear. These areas work together to produce chemicals that prepare your body to react.

If the scene feels realistic, your fear increases; if it’s cheesy, your brain may downplay it. Fear is complicated, which is why some people enjoy horror movies and others don’t. This quick brain response is what turns fear into the physical sensations you feel when scared.

So, you might ask yourself, why DO some people want to feel scared, to induce themselves the sensation of fear? Personally, I believe that it gives some people satisfaction, its like testing your brain to see how it would endure a ”traumatic event” or just the satisfaction of going to the cinema with your friends to see a horror movie and being the only one who didn’t get a jumpscare. When I was younger I used to do this with spicy food because I thought I was cool but I would always end up with teary eyes and a swollen tongue. Watching scary films also creates some kind of bonding between the spectators, screaming, laughing nervously or even clutching someone’s arm, an “we’re in this together“ sort of thing. I even read somewhere that horror movie dates are more successful than watching any other genre.

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On the other hand, horror movies are pretty controversial due to their graphic content, moral views and psychological effect. Critics point out that movies like Saw or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre desensitize viewers to real life suffering or that The Exorcist is promoting fear of religious themes, some even calling it blasphemous. Hereditary is also an example for creating controversy by using trauma to make the audience uncomfortable.

In conclusion, horror movies help us explore the complexities of fear and its liked by many because they give an adrenaline rush or a sense of accomplishment, though others perceive them as controversial and question their impact on society. Love them or hate them, they remain a thought-provoking form of artistic expression, leaving the audience to question their morals and creating a thrilling experience.