Why do we enjoy watching scary films?

1.Aristotle's (384-322 BC) theory of "Catharsis"

Catharsis is defined as: "the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions."

We are drawn to watching these types of films because it releases our pent-up feelings of aggression. This also acts as a coping mechanism for us to deal with negative thoughts, by watching them.

2. Dolf "Roller coaster" Zillmann's EXCITATION TRANSFER THEORY!

An easy way to explain this theory would be a roller coaster ride. There's a gentle ascension and suddenly, you're in mid air!-that's the climatic part of a horror film, then you get off that ride alive. 

A couple from the stock photo realm enjoying their day out.

Here we see the Excitation Transfer theory in action:   

 1.The ride usually starts off gently like a plot of a horror film, nothing could possibly go wrong right?

2. There are then changes in pace/direction/dimension ie: the ride going upside down, which reflects the rising tension. Our level of adrenaline which is usually released in times of fear/anger increases too.

3. The ride comes to a smooth end which is also known as the "I'm alive" stage! The people go through a reassuring moment.

 in short: By experiencing negative and scary imagery, we intensify positive feelings once the negative one is removed.

eg: People will be happy if a very dislikable villain such as Prof. Umbridge from the Harry Potter series is defeated/killed.

3. Glen D Walters (PSYCHOLOGIST)

there are 3 primary factors of a horror movie:

In this scene of the Thai horror movie "Laddaland" the ghost is arranged in the background giving the audience a strong tension of fear. An unrestricted Narrative range is also used as the characters do not acknowledge the ghost's presence at this current moment. (we as the audience know more of the plot in this type of narrative)

1.Tension and suspense: This is done by the use of   Narrative, Micro-Elements and information manipulation.

2. Relevance: The fears which are exploited by the movie have to be relevant to the audience, convincing them to believe it. 

eg: The fear of artificial intelligence and robots dominating human life is portrayed in the Terminator series. 

3.Unrealism: The audience must be able to know that the films aren't real, allowing them to feel safe.
Real fears=Real consequences