Halloween Poses the Question- What is America's Love Affair with Being Scared?

Your heart is in your throat, you skin is crawling with cold chills, each breath gets harder and harder to take in...and despite it all you're loving every minute of it.

With Halloween season in full swing, horror movies are being bought, rented and shown on television stations almost constantly. The commercial success of recent horror movies, as well as the lasting popularity of classics made forty years ago and longer, serve as proof that Americans just enjoy the thrill of being scared, not only around Halloween, but all year long. Why?

One definite reason is the scientific one. Being scared produces all kinds of endorphins and adrenaline. The body craves these chemicals and actually feels invigorated after a rush of them. You know how you feel giddy and more "alive" after stepping off of a roller coaster or other kind of thrill ride? The same principal is at work here; expect you haven't had to travel 120 mph to get it! Certainly this is one explanation for the love of being scared, but it's not all.

On a more subconscious level, horror movies appeal to the masses because being able to experience a common fear or nightmare, without any actual risk to yourself, is a little bit freeing. To see how other, "normal" people react to a situation that would theoretically leave most of us paralyzed with fear is an exciting concept. A concept that I believe, usually leaves you with a sense of self confidence and some thought provoking conversation. How often have you watched a horror movie with friends and heard, or made comments like these-

"I can't believe she actually got away in the end. I tell you what though, if it had been me, this is what I would have done..."

"That guy was a total goober!! But I suppose if he can fight soul-eating monsters, I shouldn't have too much to worry about if they ever attck."

"What on earth were those guys thinking? Here's what should have happened..."

Is my point clear?

Finally, yet another appeal of the horror movie genre is the simple, twisted enjoyment of gore and dismemberment. As the years pass, movie makers continue to find new ways to kill or torture people...and movie patrons can't get enough! Part of this is the sheer joy of being entertained, while another part reverts again to the mentality of watching what others can endure without having to experience it. It all related to the sense of morbid (no pun intented) curiosity that all human beings have. Whatever your reasons for watching a horror movie, have fun!! And remember, if it doesn't scare the crap out of you, someone's not doing something right!