They may not be for everyone, but I’ve felt a solid sense of enjoyment from watching horror movies. Whether it’s something notorious like “Paranormal Activity,” or something as classic as “The Exorcist,” it’s always been an interest of mine to see how people in the film react to the situation at hand, as well as what they must do to overcome it.While I may think horror movies are great, unfortunately, there are others who can’t be convinced. Despite those who don’t favor horror movies, I’ve found there are many benefits that come with watching horror films. This isn’t to say that horror movies are the only genre of film worth watching, but it can be surprisingly beneficial to suffer the occasional scare.
One of the main benefits for horror movies is how they canbe essential toward personal development. Most horror flicks are never short of violence. There are plenty of people who are against seeing this sort of thing in movies, and I can understand where they’re coming from. Movies like “Saw” and “V/H/S” have plenty of graphic material, and while it can be disturbing at times, it can also be beneficial for viewers. We want to convince ourselves that there are no monsters in this world, but all I need to do is read up on the latest fire bombing or school shooting to know that there’s plenty of evil out there, and with horror movies, I can begin to accept that. Granted, the chances of a serial killer showing up on campus are relatively slim, but there’s still the unsightly piece of roadkill or the tragic news of a bullied kid commiting suicide. Horror movies aren’t known for their cheery themes. Therefore, they do a good job of preparing people for how harsh reality can be.
Another way that horror movies benefit people is that they help reduce calories. When a person is scared by something that is seen on TV, it triggers their brain,releasing a rush of blood that gets the heart pumping. This triggers a steady burn in calories, between 100-180 per movie, in fact, which is the number that one would lose in a half hour walk, or would gain when eating a bar of chocolate. Admittedly, it might not burn as many calories as a brisk morning jog, but the fact that sitting on a couch and getting scared can contribute to cutting down on calories is impressive nonetheless.
Another surprising benefit of horror movies is howthey can boost a person's immune system. As mentioned before, horror movies trigger adrenaline rushes, which also trigger a rush of white blood cells, which leads to a significant boost in one's immune system. Who knew watching a guy in hockey mask violently gut a teen with a machete could be so beneficial for one's health?
They’re terrifying, and sometimes hard to watch, but there’s something to be appreciated in horror besides the expensive special effects and the hundreds of gallons of fake blood. Horror movies can have a positive effect on people. Individuals need to be reminded of how dark the world is, and burn some calories while they’re at it. Stress has it’s benefits, and while I don’t blame people who don’t like horror movies, I recommend them for the various benefits they can provide.
Sam Jefferson is a senior writing, rhetoric and technical communication major. Contact Sam at jefferss@dukes.jmu.edu.
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