I love horror movies. Since a pretty young age, in fact. I found watching them a genuine scarefest, yet the buzz of actually getting a heightened emotional response from a popular movie genre, was enough to sell me on the notion that these types of movies are most definitely for me. However, I've met several people, (latest of which was this morning) who question "anyone" who watches horror as potentially strange or mentally disturbed in some way. Let's look a little deeper into that sweeping statement, shall we?
First off, my tiny groups of friends that love a good old horror flick as I do, also or wouldn't venture into a house that's known to be haunted. In other words, we're a bunch of scaredy cats! But hang on a minute! Don't individuals that love this dark region of the movie industry relish blood, guts, gore and the like? No damn way! It's like saying people that love action movies have a tendency to end up in firing ranges or run around town protecting civilians. It's nonsense and simply a myth.
Second, I find horror movies evoke more emotion than I'd normal find with any other genre. When you watch these types of movies, you also feel fear when the main protagonists or side characters who are in danger. You're not willing on the blood to flow or the boogeyman to go on a mass rampage. Tension and suspense are the order of the day and many confuse straight up brutal violence in film for being classified as horror. They are simply not the same thing. Best case example being "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" original back in 1974 where, despite it's title, had little to no blood featured throughout. Yet is one of the best horror movies ever made.
And last but certainly not least, horror goons may find even more disturbing material in so called "safe" movie genres. For instance, imagine sitting through the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy. Personally speaking, I'd be mentally and physically brought to my knee. The subject matter, wooden acting and abysmal storylines would send me spiralling into a quivering wreck by it's conclusion. Entertainment factor... ZERO! I don't think any horror movie out there could cause such a devastating self-transformation within me. Oh yes, there are other movie oddities out there that have managed to produce "real" terror, the likes of which any decent horror loving fan would fear to tread. Beware, you have been warned...
At the end of the day, it's all fantasy. A fake reality conjured up by a talented team of actors and production crew. Nothing more. It's intent is to entertain and evoke thrills to it's viewing audience. It's not real life, but only an visual and aural illusion. If people can't see past that and think of horror movie fans as not able to differentiate between the two, I'd say "they" are the ones in need of a serious reality adjustment. Would you not agree?
