This is why you love fear

We the ever morbid creatures, have a strange connection to fear and grotesquerie. Why do scary stories, allure us so?

The numerous sequels in horror franchises are proof enough we go back to that dark side. Why else would we have so many Jason parts? How many ghost face killers have we had now? And what is the real reason Michael Myers can’t be killed?

I wonder if evolution plays a role in our fixation to this genre. Although there are many, who aren't a fan (with a great understanding why). There are enough people strongly fanatic about them to turn my head and wonder what the whole deal is?

Survival instinct

I ride the horror bus myself, I’m rather fond of those campy slashers especially. but I've never really delved into what makes me so invested. I mentioned evolution because I can't help wonder if scary stories are used as tool for our survival. To understand fear and the dangers that lurk, these stories help us with the prime directive in our society. To stay alive enough for the next generation to continue and also procreate, the perpetual cycle of life.

Not that I think you need to take notes during every horror movie you watch, but you’ll definitely think twice about going down that dark alley. A little healthy paranoia can save you from trouble. At least envision what you would do in that hour scenario, like some kind of visual or simulation training. Best for remembering not to be too complacent.

Perhaps we gathered around to tell stories that warned us from the horrors that be. Maybe that's why negative news spreads so quickly in comparison to positive ones? We’re so quick to share information that is vital for the human race, lest we face extinction.

The scary story acts like an old wives tale. Those that have the story to tell being the ‘wise lady’ passing down their knowledge to the listener or audience. For example, lets say this wives tale is the story of ‘feed a cold, starve a fever.’ Quite a classic you may have heard. It’s partly true because the body needs energy and fluids to fight off infection. FYI you need to feed the fever too. But the horror story in this would be you not feeding the cold or fever and as such, ending in a gruesome scenario of struggling with your health. Only getting sicker and sicker until a possible demise. The story has warned you.

Myths & Folklore

The idea of horror comes from the myths of the supernatural and paranormal. Monsters and demons have been talked about for as long as we’ve known. Not just the dark but the mysterious and even godly. From the toga gleaming pantheon of the greek mythos, to the frost fighting furred one in the norse.

Ghosts, ghouls and monsters of folklore are abundant in any region of the world. Many overlap with commonalities. Communities would frighten the village children in to behaving, such warnings about the consequences of there action. Usually theme being to avoid the dark alone.

I imagine it’s similar to dehumanising people with malicious intent, after all it’s not a monster lurking in darkness. Just a person like any other, only with a bad idea in mind. (This could be an even scarier thought). People who have done heinous acts are often called monsters, is that a modern thing or were we using them back then? Creating legends, turning humans into monsters through the science of story telling.

Whatever it was. Folklores twisted and turned into gothic literature, the rise of Dracula being the forefront of fear. Werewolves and other monsters became a popular literature in the horror genre. Or is it more accurate to say they started the genre in this modern day?

The attraction

With that all aside, why do we like it? Is it as simple as loving the adrenaline experience? The excitement and rush we get from the fear. We’re also curious about the unknown. The oddities and strangeness comes hand in hand with horror.

The greatest curiosity of all is the one that comes in the end, death. Many horror stories deal with the afterlife and thus we’re enthralled with what is imagined in its regard. We want to know all we can, and horror is a goldmine of wonderment.

There is a story element that thrillers also make great use of. This is the art of suspense. Suspense is what hooks an audience into the story and compels you to unfold the story more. It creates emotional investment and such useful weapon to have in a story tellers entertainment arsenal.

Okay one more, unsettling idea.

The outlet.

I understand the benefits of consuming horror, but what about those that tell them? Is it an outlet for their dark thoughts? A release of all horror in their mind. I hear Junji Ito is a peaceful and happy bloke. But if you read his manga you wouldn’t think so. You’d believe he’s a wacko projecting his brain on the page, until you find out the guy. Maybe he’s so nice because he does a little writing therapy. The darkness is evaporated, funnelled into an expression of art.

Therapy as an outlet for the teller to release his dark thoughts. Therapy as exposure treatment for the listener overcoming fear and developing courage.

Is horror good for us?

Probably not as much as we want it to be.

But it has its uses, and better yet. Our attention.

So what is it about scary stories?