Welcome to the terrifying world of horror films! Between the spine-tingling tension and eerie atmospheres, this genre has the amazing ability to make you shudder and keep you on the edge of your seat.
Horror films often revolve around forbidden, strange, and unfathomable ideas. They address a variety of worries, including our susceptibility to harm, nightmares, alienation, fear of the unknown, dread of death, and fear of reproduction. They also address our most primal instincts.
Come along as we explore the psychology of terror in horror films and investigate the craft of instilling fear.
Table of Contents
The Mystery Behind Horror Movies
Horror films are terrifying for several reasons;
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Fear of the unknown
They often take advantage of our aversion to the unexplained or strange, leaving much to the imagination of the audience, which may conjure up images that are even more terrible than what is really seen.
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Suspense and tension
Horror films employ jump scares, eerie backgrounds, and pacing to create suspense and tension, which keeps viewers on edge.
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Psychological horror
Some of the scariest scenes are those that delve into the darkest aspects of the human psyche, such as obsession, madness, or the uncanny.
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Graphic violence and eerie images
These have the power to shock and upset viewers, increasing the suspense and dread factor.
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Relevant characters
When viewers can identify with the characters and their weaknesses, the horror becomes more relatable and individualized.
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Sound and music
Horror films heavily rely on sound effects and music to evoke fright. People may get more fearful when they hear unsettling music or suddenly loud noises.
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The uncanny
A fearful film often distinguishes between the supernatural and the natural, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
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Survival instincts
Horror films often use our natural fear responses by appealing to our primal survival instincts.
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Taboos and anxieties
They may be uncomfortable since they deal with societal taboos or everyday worries.
Collectively, these elements create a terrible and timeless subgenre of cinema, that is, horror films.
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Tips For Watching Horror Movies to Avoid Being Scared
These are some tactics to employ if you want to watch horror films without getting afraid, or be less scared;
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Select lighter horror
Go for horror comedies or less scary movies. These frequently combine comedy and horror, making the encounter more enjoyable than terrifying.
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Watch with friends
Sharing the laughter and conversation accompanying a horror film with others helps defuse its unsettling elements.
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Evaluate the methods
Keep an eye out for the film-making methods. It’s possible to demystify and lessen the terror of horror films by comprehending how they arouse fear.
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Storytelling
Pay more attention to the narrative and characters than the actual scares. You can remain less impacted by the frightening parts by participating in the story.
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Acquaint yourself
To gain a sense of what to anticipate, read reviews or watch trailers. You can better mentally prepare for the material by doing this.
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Employ diversions
Maintain your phone and other distracting items close at hand. Switch your focus for a bit of while to something else if a scenario gets too intense.
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Watch during the day
Rather than watching at night, choose to do so during the daytime. Lessening the intensity of the experience can be achieved by well-lit surroundings and dimmed lights.
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Gradual exposure
To desensitize yourself, begin with less terrifying horror films and work your way up to scarier ones.
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Don’t forget it isn’t real
Tell yourself over and over again that this is all make-believe. Occasionally, let go of the dread by admitting that it isn’t real.
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Take rest periods
Stop the film and take a break if a scene gets too stressful. Regaining composure can be facilitated by this.
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Relaxation techniques
Stay composed during tense situations by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
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Cover your ears or eyes
You can close your eyes or cover your ears during horrifying times if you’re terrified.
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Top 5 Horror Movies of All Times
Based on both critical and popular acceptance throughout history, the following is a list of the top 5 horror films ever made. Note that tastes in horror may differ greatly among individuals and that the genre is very subjective. These timeless horror films have influenced the genre for a long time.
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“The Shining” (1980)
Along with directing, producing, and co-writing the film, Stanley Kubrick and author Diane Johnson co-wrote the horror film “The Shining” in 1980. Stephen King’s 1977 novel of the same name served as the inspiration for the film, which starred Jack Nicholson, Danny Lloyd, Shelley Duvall, and Scatman Crothers. Jack Torrance, portrayed by Nicholson, is a writer and sober man who takes a new position as the off-season caretaker of the Overlook Hotel.
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“Psycho” (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock directed this hugely popular horror film. Parents should know that Psycho is one of the scariest horror pictures ever created, even if it is far less explicit than what is now showing in theatres.
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“The Exorcist” (1973)
The Catholic Church voiced its disapproval of The Exorcist’s release, saying that a large amount of the plot dealt with religion, making the movie “unsuitable for a wide audience” and that there were calls for its prohibition.
In the terrifying horror film from the 1970s, a young child becomes aggressive after becoming possessed by a demon. Anticipate a great deal of blood, gore, repulsive effects like rashes and protruding eyeballs, and terrifying moments.
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“Get Out” (2017)
Having co-written, co-produced, and directed Get Out, an American psychological horror film from 2017, Jordan Peele makes his feature film debut. Brad Pitt, LaKeith Stanfield, Lil Rel Howery, Bradley Whitford, Stephen Root, Daniel Kaluuya, and Allison Williams are among the actors who appear in it. A list of the top horror films includes Get Out.
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“Hereditary” (2018)
The film, which stars Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne, is about a bereaved family who are tortured by a demonic force following the death of their reclusive grandmother.
The list of the greatest horror films ever made also includes the following;
- “The Babadook” (2014)
- “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968).
- “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)
- “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
- “Alien” (1979)
Read also: Top 15 Nigerian Movies to Watch in 2023.
Conclusion
Know that some individuals will always find horror films disturbing and that watching them without getting scared is a matter of personal taste. Even though you should ultimately choose what suits you and your comfort level, these tactics can help reduce worry.
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Edited by Oluwanifemi Akintomide.
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