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I recently watched a TikTok about horror, in which a user was bashing both the genre and viewers. They loudly claimed there’s something wrong with people who enjoy it. Sure, we’re all entitled to our own opinions. But the vibes were very judgemental and seemed to rub some the wrong way. Some accounts, however, used this video as a jumping-off point for insightful discussion about the appeals of the genre. This brought me to reflect on horror and on the spaces built around engaging with it. In the spirit of letting people love what they love, I decided to explore some of the reasons why we enjoy horror so much.
Horror in a Nutshell
Though I’d love to write a whole book about the history of the genre, I’m going to try to be brief here about mainstream horror as it applies to books and film. The origins of horror media date back to ancient times, when tales meant to induce fear were passed around through oral storytelling. The first horror novel is considered to be Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, published in 1764. Mary Shelly later shook up the genre when her 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein was published, establishing her as the creator of science fiction. French filmmaker Georges Méliès is credited as creating the first horror film, Le Manoir du Diable (or The Haunted Castle), released in 1896. And horror bloomed in America through the pen of Edgar Allan Poe, who wrote during the mid-19th century.
Early American horror films focused on adapting gothic literature to the big screen, with the release of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1908. Many credit Psycho as the first modern horror film. Its 1960 release ushered in scary movies that went beyond book to screen adaptations. The genre has changed so much over time, mirroring society’s social, cultural, and political understandings. Contemporary horror director Jordan Peele made huge waves with his 2017 film Get Out; since its release, we have seen an uptick in films that explore social issues like racism and misogyny.
A diverse spread of subgenres and themes makes horror what it is. As a genre, it often leans very feminist and queer. The horror community is as vast and varied as the genre itself. While we all partake in and enjoy it in different ways, it is clear that horror offers something for everyone. Here are a few reasons why horror connoisseurs enjoy the genre.
Horror as an Examination of Social Issues
Horror explores people’s deepest fears and exposes societal problems. It is a great indicator of where we stand as a whole in terms of being decent humans. Since it is a reflection of social ills, we can also think of horror as a kind of moral compass, in a way. It goes back to that quote about how the truest measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. People create and consume horror to express their ideas about these experiences, which can lead to important cultural conversations.
I think book reviewer and horror enthusiast Christina (@axghoststory on Instagram) said it best when I asked her about why she enjoys the horror genre:
“What I enjoy about the horror genre is that it is forever evolving with our world and explores changes within society and culture better than any other genre. Horror does not have to be confined to one box. I believe horror fiction has created a unique space for those from underrepresented backgrounds to share their experiences and have their own seat at the table in creative and terrifying ways.”
Those unique spaces have allowed creators to produce horror stories that are sure to stand the test of time. Socially conscious horror hits very close to home for so many people, making more space for connections to happen. Perhaps the scariest thing is that movies like Get Out and The First Purge, remind us that more often than not, the monsters are real.
Horror as a Method of Expressing Emotions
Some folks seek emotional release through engaging with media that matters to them. Some select specific books and movies when they have unresolved emotions about something and need an outlet. Horror can provide that too, believe it or not. Horror author Ally Russell (@onedarkally on Instagram) shared how this is the main reason she gravitates to the genre:
“I enjoy the horror genre because as someone who’s always anxious (about everything), horror books are a release for that anxious energy. A lot of things in the real world scare me, but in books and movies, the horror is contained and I exercise control over it, which allows me to enjoy the genre in a safe way. It’s like riding a roller coaster except I don’t have to worry about seatbelts and safety bars malfunctioning.”
This is such an interesting approach to engaging with horror. Seeking out an outlet for our feelings is an important part of self-regulation. Mindfulness around boundaries with a genre that can be very heavy is so necessary.
Horror as an Art Form
Horror offers so much to appreciate as an art form in itself, and that is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy the genre. I am biased in writing this piece; I’ve enjoyed horror in all its forms since adolescence. Lately I’ve been very into gothic fiction and creepy houses. (A couple of recent reads include Dearest and Home Before Dark.) I really like watching or reading horror, and then diving into research and discussion on it for days.
From a storytelling standpoint, I think horror lends itself to many creative opportunities, both on the page and onscreen. There is just so much room for incredible descriptions and images that can induce visceral reactions from the reader or viewer. It is absolutely fascinating to me the way a scene can be crafted to give off an eerie atmosphere or to create tension. And in scary novels, sometimes the most terrifying things happen off-page but the spook lingers; that is the mark of a skilled horror novelist.
If you’d like to deep-dive into analyses of the genre, here are some great books to look into:
Women Make Horror: Filmmaking, Feminism, Genre
And be sure to check out Ally’s debut novel, It Came from the Trees.
This is excellent, Nina! Thanks for shouting about horror.