Scary Movies: Love them or Hate them?

Fads change from year to year, sometimes even month to month, but one popular pastime has remained since the 1890’s, the thrill of scary movies.  Whether it is the science fiction horror film Dracula, released in 1931, or the newly released The Last House on the Left, scary movies have successfully drawn in viewers throughout the decades. 

But what sets scary movies apart from all other flicks, and why do people find them so attractive?  Well, since teenagers make up the largest portion of viewers, it is only logical to consult their expertise.

           The Park student body (with the exception of a few teachers) is split between the two types of terrifying films: thrillers and horror.  The distinguishing factor between the two is the presence of gore, horror films have it, and thrillers do not.  The draw to thrillers seems to be the suspense lingering at every turn, sometimes it’s predictable but yet the adrenaline rush takes over. 

“I know the man is going to leap out, but when he does I still jump,” states Brian Panek, who prefers suspense over violence. 

“I definitely like suspense, but I don’t need to see the creepy ones.  Thrillers are better than gore, blood, and guts,” says Senora Jaeger whose preference is clearly voiced in her statement. 

So thrillers, especially the classics, are largely enjoyed but what about the films that feature gore and violence?

           There are many different reasons people are drawn to slasher films, among them are curiosity, enjoyment, and just a variation from normality.  For some the fascination is simple, “blood is interesting to me.”  This to the point explanation was contributed by EB, Cynthia, and Bukky, a trio of friends who state that the ideal scary movie is intense with plenty of suspenseful moments. 

Elena Christensen explains that she enjoys horror films because they are, “surprising and exciting, not predictable like love stories.” 

Some people just enjoy the carnage and slaughter as Andrew Treadway reveals in his statement, “I like watching people get eaten and mutilated, it’s funny.  Like in The House of Wax, I don’t like Paris Hilton, so when her head was bashed in, I was happy.”  It doesn’t hurt when your least favorite actor happens to be playing one of the victims.

           What defines a scary movie, what sets it apart from other films?  “Surprises that make you jump,” exclaims Elena Christensen, “a storyline that is not ideal, a tragedy.”

Scary movies are movies that “make you keep watching,” explains Jack McMahan, “even though you don’t want to.” 

Maybe it’s that fact that their chilling effect seems to grow with the presence of less people, and that for some people the idea of watching one alone is unthinkable.  Or it could be the way a scary movie influences how people view their surroundings, a dark corner that never seemed so foreboding before, or creaks in the floorboards that now seem ominous. 

Whatever the draw and however people chose to define them, scary movies have become a substantial part of American society.  They have been a powerful influence for about the last one hundred and nineteen years, and will continue to be one in the years to come.