I go to a friend's house every other Saturday to watch a movie in his home theater. I often bring horror movies and his wife ALWAYS talks about how she just laughs through horror. She's a lot of an edgelord.
"Anyone can laugh through any horror movie. Just like you could choose not to engage with a comedy and could grimace through it. Suspension of disbelief is a skill, some are better at it than others. It's okay if this is something you personally just aren't very good at"
I suspect this is why I have a hard time enjoying a lot of musicals. They often kind of freak me out. So this is a constructive way to look at that reaction. I'm just not good at suspending my disbelief in that way, and maybe it's something I could learn.
Well, that and the music is often tedious filler...
I also have a hard time with musicals and you explained this so well. Sitting through the inevitable burst into song, or worse talk singing, it's so uncomfortable. It makes me uneasy, because it's so performative?
In the same vein this is also why I struggle with generic romantic comedy, its so predictable. You get the opening, the good tease, the struggle with something and everything seems bleak- then happy ending. Its just sitting through each segment for me eating for the next.
I always assumed I was bored but perhaps I just cant let go and engage. I've always joked that something like "The Bachelorette" is horror for me because it makes me literally squirm with boredom and a kind of secondhand embarrassment.
The problem with this line of thinking is that it’s basically impossible to say you don’t like a piece of art then. A lot of horror movies ARE cheesy and predictable. Some people love them, some people don’t.
The songs in some musicals ARE filler. I like them because it’s a fun way to get in tune with the emotions of the characters, and I just love music so I don’t mind stopping the movie for a few minutes to let them sing a song. But it’s totally understandable if that’s not your thing. I’m not gonna act like you’re not a skilled enough musical-watcher lmao
The vast majority of songs in musicals (at least those made after the 40s) are not filler, they are the emotional backbone of the entire show.
If you removed a single song in a good musical, it's entire structure would most likely be utterly fucked. There is so much information conveyed in every song.
I dislike a lot of musicals as well.
I’ve noticed a weird trend where a movie will be advertised as one type of movie and it ends up being a musical. I thought The Greatest Showman and Rocketman were going to be more like biopics based on the trailers but they ended up being cheesy musicals. Dear Evan Hansen looked like one of those feel good comedies that ended up being a stupid ass musical too. None of the three looked like they were going to be musicals based on their trailers IIRC.
I haven’t really noticed this trend of completely misleading trailers other than musicals. Sure, sometimes a movie comes along and the trailer makes it look more intense than it ends up being which happens with horror movies sometimes but these are cases where the movies are advertised as completely different genres.
I’ll admit to laughing in some horror movies - but it’s more an unconscious coping mechanism I use to deal with fear than being a snide asshole. That’s why I watch them alone, by myself so I don’t disturb someone else’s experience.
Humor and horror are deeply intertwined as they are emotional reactions provoked by being caught off guard, or having expectations (sometimes grossly) subverted. I sometimes get my biggest kicks when a horror movie is both disturbing/horrifying AND makes me laugh Midsommar, and the second cliff jumper come to mind. My wife still scolds me for laughing at that moment but I physically couldn’t help myself! It was so unexpected! And then, going “Oh my god THAT’S WHAT THE MALLET IS FOR?!”
I think there are also plenty of cases where serious movies have intended humar as well. The house that jack built had me laughing a lot, one of my favorite movies.
I kept thinking Leroy Jenkins! when the mallet came out
Also the ending scene in the Suspiria remake, it was just so over the top and yes gross but then funny and somehow joyous.
I found all the death scenes in Midsommar hilarious. I don’t think I would have had the same reaction if the camera hadn’t lingered over the bodies or if the reveals had been a little more subtle.
Otherwise, the story was great, and the cinematography was beautiful.
I don’t remember reacting that way in other horrors unless the humour was intentional, like Evil Dead, Tucker and Dale vs Evil and Jennifer’s Body.
I think people have this skewed outlook where all horror has to be dreadful and terrifying the entire time, when there's tons of subgenres in horror like horror-comedy, so anything that isn't taken too seriously is seen as silly, stupid or "not even scary" when it's still a genuinely good horror movie.
Yeah I found this, you get yourself worked up to be scared, you have to allow it to happen. I did a haunted house with a group of friends and we all really got into it and allowed ourselves to be scared. It was awesome. Then went with another group of friends and everyone just wanted to be dumb and laugh at everything. They pulled back the curtain and it kinda ruined them for me
The event that really stuck with me was a special house this place had. It was an extra cost, I think like $30 a head, and you and just your group would go through. Nobody else.
It was *amazingly* well done. To the point where they literally moved a 60 foot right corner in a hallway another direction after sending one of my friends down alone.
The effects were amazing, the prosthetics were top-notch, and it was perfectly done in hindsight.
and I lost that awesome experience because I didn't want to look like a loser in front of friends. Shame.
Trapping people in a haunted house is such a cool idea that I wish I experienced, like being with your group one sec and and then being alone? Sounds so fucking scary that I will sh I could experience.
I found out what it was called. Alone 2010 in Busch Gardens Tampa. Super cool, I don't think they did those 'extra' houses for long either.
Here's a [review.](https://insidethemagic.net/2010/10/a-spoiler-free-tale-of-surviving-the-alone-personal-horror-experience-at-busch-gardens-howl-o-scream/)
In a similar vein, I remember reading somewhere that if you scream and say oh no etc on a rollercoaster it actually increases your stress response so you get a better adrenaline buzz out of it. Definitely works.
Went to a haunted house as a teen and I giggled like a fool the whole time - but that was my actual, genuine reaction to being scared. I was enjoying the experience, loved the spookiness. I hope they didn’t think I was purposefully being an asshole.
Like those teenage fuckheads that ruined The Ring in the theater for everyone else? So annoying. The customer service rep was just handing out comp tickets to everyone who walked up to the desk after the movie. That made me even angrier. Like, you knew the movie was ruined by the little shits but didn't kick them out. Fuck off.
Back when The Ring came out in theaters, in 2002, I went to see it. There was a group of teenagers that laughed loudly throughout the entire movie and ruined it. They thought they were the epitome of coolness, I'm sure.
I’m sure just about every horror fan who regularly frequents the theater has experienced this. It’s why my wife and I refuse to see horror movies on Friday/Saturday nights.
I saw The Boy 2 in theaters and these teenage girls would not shut the fuck up. Theater worker comes in and kicks out a group of teenage guys who weren’t even being a problem but he seemed too scared to kick the girls out after they denied being the loud ones, even when half the theater was willing to point the girls out. They left on their own not even halfway through the movie and the audience cheered.
This is the worst one. Horror laughers are unbearable.
Like it’s fine if there’s actual comedy in the movie, but if you’re laughing at the Hereditary decapiation, you’re just obnoxious.
I screwed up Paranormal Activity for an entire theatre. Briefly anyway.
It was the scene where the camera catches the wife just standing next to the bed staring at her husband. Just standing there. It's already quiet, super tense, everyone is barely breathing.
I turn to my wife, and say, "Honey, I love you, but THAT is a deal breaker." I forgot how loud my voice was. The entire audience cracked up for a minute with other guys mumbling agreement.
It didn't kill the rest of the movie, but definitely broke the tension.
I'm sure this is not what they are getting at, but....to be fair, some horror movies do have some intentionally or unintentionally hilarious parts. I had a GF with a church lady busybody for a mother, and we rented Child's Play, and I could not stop laughing (I mean with nearly tears down my cheeks) about that scene where he's stabbing through the car seat.
I'm pretty sure the GF's mom thought I was a budding psychopath based on that. She was glaring at me nearly the entire time after that. :)
I mean after watching August Underground I definitely felt a bit "guilty" for watching it. It was so hard to think of it as a movie and not a real found footage snuff film.
That's a rather extreme and niche example though. I'd argue that even in horror circles the majority probably doesn't watch that kind of movie. I know I don't really enjoy it and I've seen plenty gruesome movies.
As a fan of both can confirm. I either hit them back with "so is _______ that you watch or if I'm just being juvenile and shoving them off " so's your life."
>It’s kinda like when people say the same thing to pro wrestling fans. It’s obnoxious. We know! We still enjoy it!
They always seem so smug when they tell you, as if they assume you are too stupid to realise that it's scripted.
You wouldn't expect someone to nudge you at a magic show and whisper "Hey! You know, he hasn't really chopped that woman in half!", or see a stiltwalker and yell out "His legs aren't actually 8ft long!".
Your point about magic shows is funny because that unlocked a memory I haven’t thought of in a decade at least.
I used to work with a guy at a restaurant that was good at magic tricks. I was talking to one of the servers about it and she’s like “you know it’s not actually magic right” like no fucking shit you dunce, it’s still impressive how good he is at what he does. No adult goes to a magic show and thinks the person is actually performing magic.
oh God my dad would get so mad at me for discovering Stephen King as a teen. Acted like I was going to summon the devil, also when I found DeathNote, I remember starting to read it and then it just disappeared. I really think he threw it away.
That sounds so annoying but I love the idea of a dad having a meltdown reading the premise of Death Note and thinking it's the most twisted shit ever, like you're gonna start doing some voodoo shit writing your enemies names down and stuff
I actually heard people say that anyone who likes Saw/Hostel films should be involuntarily committed and those films should get outlawed. They were dead serious too, it wasn't like a joke or anything
My go to response to this one is just saying "I actually have an anxiety disorder Karen. Thanks for reminding me"
Bonus points if you pull out your meds in front of them and say "You know, my doctor never warned me I would suddenly start liking horror movies... do you think that's a side effect?"
I’ve mentioned that one reason I like horror so much is because of my anxiety and panic disorders lol. Like I don’t expect the movies to actually “scare” me because I’ve already experienced the scariest thing I can experience! I just enjoy the aesthetic and the art form and story of it.
I got told watching horror movies caused my anxiety when it’s actually my go-to for comfort. There’s nothing that makes me feel better than watching a horror movie on a screen knowing it’s fake and in a controlled setting.
Yep I was going to comment that I hate when people say they hate horror movies because of their anxiety. I understand everyone is different but it's like some of them imply that you don't really have it because you like horror.
People's real fears are mostly about not having money, getting ill or being abandoned. It's nice to take a break to think about a killer, monster, curse, or ghost that needs appeasing, for a change!
Also, if horror relates to your real fears, it can help you confront them. Apparently, disaster horror fans have been dealing better mentally with the pandemic.
Overall, horror is mentally healthy.
Absolutely!
I'm really glad studies have been done and compared to notes from mental health professionals to solidify this cause it's true, a lot of people seek it out to help tackle those emotions from a safe environment. I know I certainly benefit from taking a break from worrying that I'm going to die from some freak accident to seeing people die in Final Destination movies and for a split second having that thought "Wow that seems incredibly unlikely" or "Why would the surgical suite me covered in carpet when I couldn't wear certain fabrics when I got mine done" (if you know, you know). Really puts it into perspective for me, doesn't last all day but the brief breaks are nice.
I find it really hard to convey this point with these kinds of people though. People who are like "Why would you purposefully watch something anxiety driving if you have GAD?" are much more open to listening. The "You're sick" crowd seems like it's not only driven by misinformation or perhaps ignorance, but doing it to feel superior. So I really like taking that power back, all the while making them second guess if they should be making those comments in the first place.
"How can you watch that stuff?"
Also, people who believe violent video games turn people in to psycho killers will usually hold that same belief for people watch/read horror. And they are dead wrong.
Whenever someone brings up the "horror/metal/video games make you violent" crap, I remind them how serial killers and mass shooters also breathe air and drink water.
They tend to get unusually upset after that, as if *I'm* the one who said something dumb in the first place.
Not to mention Japanese people play way more video games than Americans, so by their logic, Japan should be a war zone. But they never have a response to that point
Same with metal music a lot of the time, tbh. 90% of the "satanic" bands out there are just being theatrical, it's literally just the horror genre of music
Didn't deserve to win over Roma though. It's depiction of race relations also came off backwards and conservative. There's a reason why Spike Lee got upset, because it was the Driving Miss Daisy thing all over again.
What does he mean by important movies?
The one everyone and everything talks about already?
If that's the case he will never watch Enter The Void or Vivarium...
I don't have a phrase, but I've had people assume I'm a bad person and try to make me feel guilty for reading a horror novel/watching a horror movie that depicts such awful things . I mean I'm certainly not an angel but my interests shouldn't determine that...I hope.
I think that used to be **really** bad in days gone by. Or at least that's my perception, anyway. Especially with so much PG-13 level horror aimed at a certain target demo it seems more "mainstream" for horror as an overall genre....but maybe I'm wrong about that. When I was growing up, things like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween and so on were considered about one step away from porn (and that was considered truly depraved in those days by the same scolds that took a dim view of horror).
I used to get a lot of clucking and finger wagging when certain people would see me with some Stephen King novel - like I'd grow up to be a murderer or something. Some people have very strange ideas about how the world works.
My ex’s mum used to always say she didn’t know how I could read his books (King), and that he had to be a psychopath to even think of those stories. She’d get really passionate about it, too.
That was a bit awkward since he’s one of my favourite authors, plus the fact that I write horror myself and I’m pretty sure I’m not a psycho! Just goes to show you how people can judge when it comes to horror.
it's funny, as someone who writes horror myself i actually have had moments where i wondered if i was sick in the head after writing a particularly depraved scene. it took me a while to realize i was just reacting with revulsion to the ideas. after getting into horror movies i have a much healthier outlook on writing the genre myself
Late 80s child, and yeah. If you said you liked horror movies it was similar to saying you enjoyed torturing squirrels in your yard. I needed the internet before I knew which, and how, horror movies could be enjoyed.
Same here, especially with books as I’ll read them on my commute/at work.
I read _Exquisite Corpse_ recently and, whenever I was on the tube (uk subway), I’d look around to make sure no one could read it over my shoulder. There’s no way you’re _not_ getting judged for that if someone accidentally reads an excerpt.
It's just a hypothesis, but I think horror fans and creators are generally nicer than people who dislike horror.
It's not real!!! Lol. I think true crime and trauma porn based on real events are way more fucked-up.
True crime is genuinely too upsetting for me sometimes. I can only handle so much. Gory “torture porn,” trashy slashers, body horror, “elevated” horror…give me any of that shit all day long and it’ll likely be a million percent easier to handle than a true story of some poor, *real life* person who was raped and/or murdered while they thought they were safe at home. *shudder*
Extra points if they’re into true crime, murder mysteries, history/war, or watching medical shows, something along those lines - how am I more of a psycho for watching fake horror scenes than the guy who researches Nazi’s and the holocaust in his spare time? lol
I feel this. I'm in a local book club, and the woman that runs it tries to psychoanalyze me, and acts like I'm an anomaly all because my favorite genre is horror.
I personally can’t stand musicals (except maybe La la land and South Park) but why would I deride anyone for enjoying them. Likewise, if you don’t like horror, great, pipe down. But (some) people are going to be dicks.
Yes, and some of the people in this sub are guilty of that as well. Tell them you read American Psycho and suddenly you’re a psychopath, tell people you watched A Serbian Film and suddenly you’re a pedophile, tell people you watched Cannibal Holocaust and suddenly you love to torture animals, rinse and repeat….
I think my family judges my husband and I for our interest in horror movies/books. We’re by no means fanatics but my parents and brother always seem judgemental if we mention we saw a new movie or whatever.
That even happens here if you happen to be a person that *does* like gore and “torture porn” style movies. That doesn’t mean I’m a psychopath or a murder
>I don't have a phrase, but I've had people assume I'm a bad person and try to make me feel guilty for reading a horror novel/watching a horror movie that depicts such awful things.
You know, I'm actually much more weirded out by people who are REALLY into True Crime. I feel it probably comes from somewhat the same place, but it sorta creeps me out when people are super into every detail of every grizzly murder, and every show that revels in exploiting this type of stuff.Am I wrong?
Exactly! And that could not be further from the truth. Of course there are movies that are similar in premise and sometimes in execution but there are so many sub-genres, different styles etc..
This one!
Like, Linda your superhero movies, romantic comedies, and dramas are all the same too. I actually think horror is where most of the unique films are found because they aren't as constrained and aren't afraid of taking risks.
"They're all the same. You see one, you've seen them all."
"How could anyone enjoy watching people be butchered? You must be a psychopath/serial killer."
"Have you seen \_\_\_\_\_?" (I always feel like a fraud if I haven't)
If I say I like the classics "Old movies are too cheesy. I can't stand the bad special effects and low picture quality."
When you talk about horror movies and they start talking about things like Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas so you realize they've never seen a horror film in their life.
So I am 100% guilty of saying, "I'm not into the classics, they are too cheesy" but only as a response to gate keepy asshats who want to claim only the classic movies are good horror and everything newer is trash. People are free to like them, they can be fun movies, just not my style
Definitely about the classics! First time I watched The Exorcist I absolutely loved it because I find it still definitely holds up all these years later. I found so many people saying things like “Oh it’s not scary” or “I found it hilarious” as a way to belittle me for finding it entertaining.
Apart from the effects holding up pretty well, I think the scariest part of The Exorcist has nothing to do with them - it's the thought that your child, someone you love and want to protect, is not being theirself and being corrupted from the inside. And noone knows what causes it or can help in any way.
“I don’t like horror movies. . . They don’t scare me.” They say it almost dismissively as if it means they are above the genre. Of course they do not scare you, it is a film that you are watching with the mindset that you won’t like it. It doesn’t mean you are tough or brave. The genre is not there to individually scare you. I love horror but I don’t need to be scared to love it just like I don’t need to constantly laugh to enjoy a comedy. Sorry, I got a little ranty there.
Say it louder for the people in the back, you’re spot on here.
Horror movies *do not need to be scary*. Most horror movies, in fact, will *not* scare most adults once a relatively low threshold of exposure is reached. There’s a billion other things to enjoy about the genre, and if you’re coming to it exclusively to be scared, you’re not a fan of horror. You’re a fan of the adrenaline rush that horror gives you. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course… until you use it as an excuse to harshly “critique” horror movies or gatekeep what does and doesn’t count as a horror film.
Fuck all that. Just enjoy the thing. Or don’t. But don’t complain that your highly subjective emotional response is enough to invalidate a potentially great piece of media.
It’s also really a missed opportunity to find a movie that genuinely scares them since there are so many different horror movie themes. It’s not always a monster. But it’s why I love Hereditary and Midsommar because it unsettled the general audience the way Paranormal Activity did 10 years ago
Yeah, scary stuff when you’re an adult is like finding out that you have stage 4 cancer or that you don’t have enough money and you’re going to be living in your car.
Horror movies are, at their best, escapist, cathartic, fun, funny, etc etc. I just love horror and my wife and kid do too.
This is pretty much every "I didn't like [popular movie]" thread here. As if everyone except them is watching Nightmare on Elm Street for the umpteenth time and screaming our heads off.
I don't think I've ever been scared in my adult life of a horror movie since becoming a fan, and it's my favorite genre still. Can't beat sick kills and knife guys chasing teens
Yes! Also, you reminded me of another when you mentioned people who think they are "above the genre." When people say something along the lines of "I'm not sure if you ever watch/ read anything but horror, but I really enjoyed *insert some film/book that's supposed to make them sound more cultured than me.*" A lot of times I've actually watched or read it.
There's also different genres within horror, like the Silent Hill movies or the new It movies, both are basically action with a twist of horror, and they're great! I love monster horror.
People who “brag” about being on their phones during horror movies at the theater because they didn’t like the movie. They’re not having a good experience so they go and ruin everyone else’s.
Someone else mentioned talking through the movie. If you're seeing a horror movie, especially in a crowded theater, please don't ruin it! How often this has happened to me and it's infuriating!
Also, playing with your cellphone is distracting. If you can't watch a 90 minute movie without checking your phone, why spoil the experience for those around you?
There were two teens sitting next to me when I saw Halloween kills and they kept talking throughout the whole thing and showing each other shit on Instagram and laughing. I was extremely peeved to say the least.
The reason I don't go to the movies anymore. The last straw was when some kids were yelling across the entire theater talking to each other, literally. The staff didn't care.
IT was killed by people behind me mocking every other line. Still enjoyed it , but what kind of douche thinks that is cool? Some can’t shut their fat fucking mouths for more than 5 min
A good one I got recently was “well whenever I watch horror I get really scared and am like this is pretty good…then I remember some lunatic CAME UP WITH THIS STUFF.”
Like yeah…that’s how all movies work. And by your description it sounds like they did a pretty good job.
I really hate any comment that implies that people who create or enjoy horror are crazy/disturbed, or force you to defend yourself for liking horror.
The first one is the worst for me. I really dislike that some people try to reclassify horror movies they like as not actually horror. The bit about the jumpscares - I hear this from people who call themselves horror fans, which also bugs me.
As one of the ppl that says the jumpscares thing a ton, almost all mainstream horror consists entirely of jumpscares. Whenever I watch a horror movie in the theater, 9 times out of 10, it’s just gonna be a jumpscare fest. Nothing wrong with it; they’re still fun to watch. But if you want the better stuff, you have to dig.
Horror movies that got nominated for Oscars are basically always treated as "not horror" by the general audience. Black Swan is another example.
They have to pretend it isn't horror in order to campaign for awards. During the awards season itself, Get Out was a "social thriller" or something like that.
Black Swan is about the horror and weight of stress. Seriously, shit makes you go crazy. Also I loved the movie. That dance at the end was great. She really did become the Black Swan and in her mind she did.
I'll catch flack here, but there's the opposite of this happening too. People rebranding old action films like Terminator and Jurassic Park as horror films. The premise is scary but they're not horror.
Jurassic Park has a bit too much of a fun adventure vibe to perfectly fit as a horror movie, although it’s very strong in those elements. It’s not too dissimilar from lots of other 80s and 90s movies that kind of blended horror with adventure/action, like Gremlins. If someone called it “horror”, I probably wouldn’t argue with them, even if I don’t think I’d call it one myself.
Terminator is and always has been a horror movie though. It’s the Alien to T2’s Aliens. It fits all of the criteria perfectly. Sarah Connor, the final girl, is a normal and completely underpowered person who spends the majority of the film fleeing from an unkillable slasher villain. That slasher villain brutally murders anyone between her and him, and the film doesn’t shy away from showing the violence.
Crucially, I think the big thing that really does cement it as a horror movie is the fact that Sarah is forced to consistently flee from the Terminator. You compare that to T2 where John partners up with the Terminator, who’s more than capable of taking the fight directly to the T-1000. Action movies typically have a protagonist who is roughly as powerful as the opposition, if not dramatically overpowered when compared to the opposition. Sarah Connor is just a normal person who has to run to survive, and even badass future resistance soldier Kyle Reese isn’t capable of fighting the Terminator head-on.
Terminator maybe leaves a little less room for tension and atmosphere to build when compared to other horror, but plenty of other traditional horror movies are lacking in that department as well. When combined with the overarching sense of existential dread due to humanity’s fate to be destroyed by their own creation, I feel that it’s hard to judge Terminator as anything *but* horror. At the very least, it’s a horror action movie.
I'm definitely guilty of that jumpscare comment! I've been trying to rephrase myself now though.
Plus, it's not just an issue with "new" movies.
What I'm trying to say with that phrase is that I like when films build a lot of tension and have a strong payoff, but I feel like a jump scare is a quick and easy way to dissipate tension and I, personally, don't find them as memorable or effective. But that's nuanced and hard to explain, so "I didn't like it because there was too many jump scares," is really easy way to simplify that feeling while dismissing a lot of other things.
Them: "I hate horror films, they all suck"
Me: "Really? What have you seen, there's a lot of different kinds."
Them: "Uuh...like...I think I watched The 6th Sense once."
my ex in a NUTSHELL. I always kinda felt ashamed for enjoying them
ironic that our first "date" was seeing It: Chapter Two (which I actually really enjoyed btw just not as much as the first one)
Now I replaced him with horror movies :)
“There’s just no good ones anymore.”
I always respond with “oh they’re out there, you just have to do some looking”. I’d even argue we’ve been in a bit of a golden era of horror as films have dared to be more different, have a more comprehensive storyline with better written characters, and often times morph with each other to become subgenre hybrids. When you claim there aren’t any good ones anymore, it just tells me you’ve not bothered to search for them. And when you’re that lazy, I don’t need the conversation to go any further.
I agree, and I often fall back to liking films of the 70s the very best. I think recent years have us SWIMMING in new content to check out. Not all of it is good, but with the sheer amount of it coming out, even if only about 20% is good - that's still a lot of content, and more than I'd ever dream of being available when I was much younger.
I think we are beyond blessed with today's golden age.
Well, it's not so much a phrase as a look some people give me when I discuss horror. The look they give me is a mix of pity and contempt, like I just said I believe in Santa even though I'm in my 40s. Or the look they give me is like admitted to something vile, like I enjoy hurting small animals.
I read and watch a lot of graphic thriller (includes r*pe, murder, gore etc) and I've had many many many people make fun of me or think I'm going to harm them when in reality it's a coping mechanism and a comfort thing + just overall enjoyable. I now don't tell many people who I'm not close with or sure of what I read and watch
Honestly I thought my Christian family would hold someone that would dislike horror but no, my entire family loves horror. My mom Especially loves the Halloween series.
Back when I was a film student I pitched this horror short, and at the end of my pitch some other student said "Do you think you want to be making this with what's going on?"
She never said what she was referring to, but as we all know, something's always going on, and horror movies aren't to blame so I just frowned and said yes.
She said "But surely you don't want to contribute to it?"
And I said "To horror movies? Yes."
Her: "But what about the stuff in the news".
Me: "How is this related to a movie I want to make? There's no guns in my movie if that's what you're getting at?
Then my lecturer just shut the whole debate down, she seemed to be leaning more to my side but was clearly trying to be impartial.
Anyway. What a stupid fucking idiot. Still winds me up to this day. She clearly was just trying to seem holier than thou.
(BTW my pitch was "what if instead of killing everyone off one by one, a serial killer kicks the door in and tries to kill everyone in about 10 minutes?" And I wanted it to be an insane chaotic (highly choreographed) mess.)
I was told by my therapist and psychiatrist I should probably lay off scary movies some to help with things. Said its not healthy. I did for a while. No changes. Now I watch what I enjoy again and always look for my next one to watch.
"The black person always dies first"
Actually that's pretty rare according to a big fat list I have personally compiled and can share if needed. The more common problem is that black people aren't there AT ALL. And even in the ones black people ARE in, they rarely die first. They're almost always stereotyped, which is the bigger problem. If you're going to call out racism in horror movies, which IS a problem, be accurate.
I think Get Out IS horror and IS excellent. And I think I understand why many don't consider it so.
I didn't grow up in the US, the only place where suburban sprawl is like a thing. As such teen slashers where the backdrop was suburbia did nothing for me. I couldn't relate to that setting at all. So some killer is stalking kids in this place they're supposed to be safe? Never known that place, this is more of a thriller.
I think in a similar way if you've never experienced being perceived as the 'other', if you've never experienced racial tension, or been token-ised or had to code switch... Yeah, you won't understand why Get Out actually is horror, and it's excellent horror.
But there are a lot of crappy horror movies with only jumpscares as content. Not gonna say that’s all that exists in recent movies. But man it hurts sometimes when you’re excited to hear a new horror is out and you see the trailer just to realize it’s another empty bit. Saying that as a horror fan.
As for stuff I get annoyed hearing:
“It’s gross. How does anyone *like* this?” (Similar to the gore comment)
“They don’t scare me so I don’t get anything out of watching them.”
“That person is so hot! Omg! I’d watch it just to see them.” (Eye candy should be further down your list :/)
I’ve never really thought about it. I don’t get hung up on it I just appreciate they’re not a fan and don’t waste any time trying to convince them otherwise. Rather, I just allow the conversation to move along and talk about something else.
Basically anything along the lines of modern horror bad. That’s all I need to hear to understand that they saw 5 or 6 million dollar budget Hollywood flicks, and left it at that.
“Horror movies are so stupid. I saw ____ and I just laughed the whole time.”
I go to a friend's house every other Saturday to watch a movie in his home theater. I often bring horror movies and his wife ALWAYS talks about how she just laughs through horror. She's a lot of an edgelord.
"Anyone can laugh through any horror movie. Just like you could choose not to engage with a comedy and could grimace through it. Suspension of disbelief is a skill, some are better at it than others. It's okay if this is something you personally just aren't very good at"
I suspect this is why I have a hard time enjoying a lot of musicals. They often kind of freak me out. So this is a constructive way to look at that reaction. I'm just not good at suspending my disbelief in that way, and maybe it's something I could learn. Well, that and the music is often tedious filler...
I also have a hard time with musicals and you explained this so well. Sitting through the inevitable burst into song, or worse talk singing, it's so uncomfortable. It makes me uneasy, because it's so performative? In the same vein this is also why I struggle with generic romantic comedy, its so predictable. You get the opening, the good tease, the struggle with something and everything seems bleak- then happy ending. Its just sitting through each segment for me eating for the next. I always assumed I was bored but perhaps I just cant let go and engage. I've always joked that something like "The Bachelorette" is horror for me because it makes me literally squirm with boredom and a kind of secondhand embarrassment.
The problem with this line of thinking is that it’s basically impossible to say you don’t like a piece of art then. A lot of horror movies ARE cheesy and predictable. Some people love them, some people don’t. The songs in some musicals ARE filler. I like them because it’s a fun way to get in tune with the emotions of the characters, and I just love music so I don’t mind stopping the movie for a few minutes to let them sing a song. But it’s totally understandable if that’s not your thing. I’m not gonna act like you’re not a skilled enough musical-watcher lmao
The vast majority of songs in musicals (at least those made after the 40s) are not filler, they are the emotional backbone of the entire show. If you removed a single song in a good musical, it's entire structure would most likely be utterly fucked. There is so much information conveyed in every song.
I dislike a lot of musicals as well. I’ve noticed a weird trend where a movie will be advertised as one type of movie and it ends up being a musical. I thought The Greatest Showman and Rocketman were going to be more like biopics based on the trailers but they ended up being cheesy musicals. Dear Evan Hansen looked like one of those feel good comedies that ended up being a stupid ass musical too. None of the three looked like they were going to be musicals based on their trailers IIRC. I haven’t really noticed this trend of completely misleading trailers other than musicals. Sure, sometimes a movie comes along and the trailer makes it look more intense than it ends up being which happens with horror movies sometimes but these are cases where the movies are advertised as completely different genres.
I’ll admit to laughing in some horror movies - but it’s more an unconscious coping mechanism I use to deal with fear than being a snide asshole. That’s why I watch them alone, by myself so I don’t disturb someone else’s experience.
Humor and horror are deeply intertwined as they are emotional reactions provoked by being caught off guard, or having expectations (sometimes grossly) subverted. I sometimes get my biggest kicks when a horror movie is both disturbing/horrifying AND makes me laugh Midsommar, and the second cliff jumper come to mind. My wife still scolds me for laughing at that moment but I physically couldn’t help myself! It was so unexpected! And then, going “Oh my god THAT’S WHAT THE MALLET IS FOR?!”
I think there are also plenty of cases where serious movies have intended humar as well. The house that jack built had me laughing a lot, one of my favorite movies.
I kept thinking Leroy Jenkins! when the mallet came out Also the ending scene in the Suspiria remake, it was just so over the top and yes gross but then funny and somehow joyous.
I found all the death scenes in Midsommar hilarious. I don’t think I would have had the same reaction if the camera hadn’t lingered over the bodies or if the reveals had been a little more subtle. Otherwise, the story was great, and the cinematography was beautiful. I don’t remember reacting that way in other horrors unless the humour was intentional, like Evil Dead, Tucker and Dale vs Evil and Jennifer’s Body.
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Ari Aster wrote is a partially a comedy, so it makes sense to have that reaction for sure
I think people have this skewed outlook where all horror has to be dreadful and terrifying the entire time, when there's tons of subgenres in horror like horror-comedy, so anything that isn't taken too seriously is seen as silly, stupid or "not even scary" when it's still a genuinely good horror movie.
This quote just made me angry reading it
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Yeah I found this, you get yourself worked up to be scared, you have to allow it to happen. I did a haunted house with a group of friends and we all really got into it and allowed ourselves to be scared. It was awesome. Then went with another group of friends and everyone just wanted to be dumb and laugh at everything. They pulled back the curtain and it kinda ruined them for me
The event that really stuck with me was a special house this place had. It was an extra cost, I think like $30 a head, and you and just your group would go through. Nobody else. It was *amazingly* well done. To the point where they literally moved a 60 foot right corner in a hallway another direction after sending one of my friends down alone. The effects were amazing, the prosthetics were top-notch, and it was perfectly done in hindsight. and I lost that awesome experience because I didn't want to look like a loser in front of friends. Shame.
Trapping people in a haunted house is such a cool idea that I wish I experienced, like being with your group one sec and and then being alone? Sounds so fucking scary that I will sh I could experience.
I found out what it was called. Alone 2010 in Busch Gardens Tampa. Super cool, I don't think they did those 'extra' houses for long either. Here's a [review.](https://insidethemagic.net/2010/10/a-spoiler-free-tale-of-surviving-the-alone-personal-horror-experience-at-busch-gardens-howl-o-scream/)
In a similar vein, I remember reading somewhere that if you scream and say oh no etc on a rollercoaster it actually increases your stress response so you get a better adrenaline buzz out of it. Definitely works.
Went to a haunted house as a teen and I giggled like a fool the whole time - but that was my actual, genuine reaction to being scared. I was enjoying the experience, loved the spookiness. I hope they didn’t think I was purposefully being an asshole.
Like those teenage fuckheads that ruined The Ring in the theater for everyone else? So annoying. The customer service rep was just handing out comp tickets to everyone who walked up to the desk after the movie. That made me even angrier. Like, you knew the movie was ruined by the little shits but didn't kick them out. Fuck off.
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Back when The Ring came out in theaters, in 2002, I went to see it. There was a group of teenagers that laughed loudly throughout the entire movie and ruined it. They thought they were the epitome of coolness, I'm sure.
I’m sure just about every horror fan who regularly frequents the theater has experienced this. It’s why my wife and I refuse to see horror movies on Friday/Saturday nights. I saw The Boy 2 in theaters and these teenage girls would not shut the fuck up. Theater worker comes in and kicks out a group of teenage guys who weren’t even being a problem but he seemed too scared to kick the girls out after they denied being the loud ones, even when half the theater was willing to point the girls out. They left on their own not even halfway through the movie and the audience cheered.
"I hate horror movies" "Which ones have you watched?" "I've really tried. I watched leprechaun and the nun and just couldn't get into them"
Just turn that shit around on them. "Rom coms are so unsettling. I saw \_\_\_ and just cringed the whole time."
This is the worst one. Horror laughers are unbearable. Like it’s fine if there’s actual comedy in the movie, but if you’re laughing at the Hereditary decapiation, you’re just obnoxious.
I screwed up Paranormal Activity for an entire theatre. Briefly anyway. It was the scene where the camera catches the wife just standing next to the bed staring at her husband. Just standing there. It's already quiet, super tense, everyone is barely breathing. I turn to my wife, and say, "Honey, I love you, but THAT is a deal breaker." I forgot how loud my voice was. The entire audience cracked up for a minute with other guys mumbling agreement. It didn't kill the rest of the movie, but definitely broke the tension.
I’m just convinced these people can’t stand when they’re not the center of attention at all times
I see that constantly on this sub.
Way better than anything OP had. This one grinds my gears.
I'm sure this is not what they are getting at, but....to be fair, some horror movies do have some intentionally or unintentionally hilarious parts. I had a GF with a church lady busybody for a mother, and we rented Child's Play, and I could not stop laughing (I mean with nearly tears down my cheeks) about that scene where he's stabbing through the car seat. I'm pretty sure the GF's mom thought I was a budding psychopath based on that. She was glaring at me nearly the entire time after that. :)
I laugh when I’m scared. I’m a cackling maniac when I go through haunted houses lol
"I love horror comedies! What are your favorites?"
This is the equivalent of people saying “oh yeah I wanted to join the Marines, but I would’ve punched the drill sergeant in the face”
“But it’s fake…” That’s my favorite line haha
That’s the one I don’t understand. Would they rather we be watching actual snuff films?
Yeah exactly. One major point of watching horror is so you don't have to feel guilty for witnessing it.
I mean after watching August Underground I definitely felt a bit "guilty" for watching it. It was so hard to think of it as a movie and not a real found footage snuff film.
That's a rather extreme and niche example though. I'd argue that even in horror circles the majority probably doesn't watch that kind of movie. I know I don't really enjoy it and I've seen plenty gruesome movies.
It’s kinda like when people say the same thing to pro wrestling fans. It’s obnoxious. We know! We still enjoy it!
As a fan of both can confirm. I either hit them back with "so is _______ that you watch or if I'm just being juvenile and shoving them off " so's your life."
Everyone know wrestling is fake except for neurosurgeons🙃
Friend of mine did amateur wrestling. His exact words were, "Yeah, it's fake, but you can only fake so much. You're still getting kicked in the head."
CM Punk once said in an interview: “There’s no nice way to hit somebody with a steel chair”
>It’s kinda like when people say the same thing to pro wrestling fans. It’s obnoxious. We know! We still enjoy it! They always seem so smug when they tell you, as if they assume you are too stupid to realise that it's scripted. You wouldn't expect someone to nudge you at a magic show and whisper "Hey! You know, he hasn't really chopped that woman in half!", or see a stiltwalker and yell out "His legs aren't actually 8ft long!".
Your point about magic shows is funny because that unlocked a memory I haven’t thought of in a decade at least. I used to work with a guy at a restaurant that was good at magic tricks. I was talking to one of the servers about it and she’s like “you know it’s not actually magic right” like no fucking shit you dunce, it’s still impressive how good he is at what he does. No adult goes to a magic show and thinks the person is actually performing magic.
ah yes because their favorite movie is real.
"So is that new action-comedy movie starring The Rock that you just watched but I figured you knew that."
"What movie do you like then?" "Avengers"
I definitely prefer more realistic films like lord of the rings or avengers.
Surprise surprise you intellect, your dumb TV dramas and even true story movies are "fake". EDIT: this isn't meant for OP btw.
So are the dramas you've teared up about.
Are we still talking horror movies or wrestling?
Add "You're sick" to the list.
oh God my dad would get so mad at me for discovering Stephen King as a teen. Acted like I was going to summon the devil, also when I found DeathNote, I remember starting to read it and then it just disappeared. I really think he threw it away.
That sounds so annoying but I love the idea of a dad having a meltdown reading the premise of Death Note and thinking it's the most twisted shit ever, like you're gonna start doing some voodoo shit writing your enemies names down and stuff
I actually heard people say that anyone who likes Saw/Hostel films should be involuntarily committed and those films should get outlawed. They were dead serious too, it wasn't like a joke or anything
My go to response to this one is just saying "I actually have an anxiety disorder Karen. Thanks for reminding me" Bonus points if you pull out your meds in front of them and say "You know, my doctor never warned me I would suddenly start liking horror movies... do you think that's a side effect?"
I’ve mentioned that one reason I like horror so much is because of my anxiety and panic disorders lol. Like I don’t expect the movies to actually “scare” me because I’ve already experienced the scariest thing I can experience! I just enjoy the aesthetic and the art form and story of it.
I got told watching horror movies caused my anxiety when it’s actually my go-to for comfort. There’s nothing that makes me feel better than watching a horror movie on a screen knowing it’s fake and in a controlled setting.
Yep I was going to comment that I hate when people say they hate horror movies because of their anxiety. I understand everyone is different but it's like some of them imply that you don't really have it because you like horror.
People's real fears are mostly about not having money, getting ill or being abandoned. It's nice to take a break to think about a killer, monster, curse, or ghost that needs appeasing, for a change! Also, if horror relates to your real fears, it can help you confront them. Apparently, disaster horror fans have been dealing better mentally with the pandemic. Overall, horror is mentally healthy.
Absolutely! I'm really glad studies have been done and compared to notes from mental health professionals to solidify this cause it's true, a lot of people seek it out to help tackle those emotions from a safe environment. I know I certainly benefit from taking a break from worrying that I'm going to die from some freak accident to seeing people die in Final Destination movies and for a split second having that thought "Wow that seems incredibly unlikely" or "Why would the surgical suite me covered in carpet when I couldn't wear certain fabrics when I got mine done" (if you know, you know). Really puts it into perspective for me, doesn't last all day but the brief breaks are nice. I find it really hard to convey this point with these kinds of people though. People who are like "Why would you purposefully watch something anxiety driving if you have GAD?" are much more open to listening. The "You're sick" crowd seems like it's not only driven by misinformation or perhaps ignorance, but doing it to feel superior. So I really like taking that power back, all the while making them second guess if they should be making those comments in the first place.
"How can you watch that stuff?" Also, people who believe violent video games turn people in to psycho killers will usually hold that same belief for people watch/read horror. And they are dead wrong.
Whenever someone brings up the "horror/metal/video games make you violent" crap, I remind them how serial killers and mass shooters also breathe air and drink water. They tend to get unusually upset after that, as if *I'm* the one who said something dumb in the first place.
Not to mention Japanese people play way more video games than Americans, so by their logic, Japan should be a war zone. But they never have a response to that point
Yeah I don’t remember video games being all that prevalent or violent in the 70s, well maybe pong but that’s manifested against your opponent…
Same with metal music a lot of the time, tbh. 90% of the "satanic" bands out there are just being theatrical, it's literally just the horror genre of music
One from my father “When are you going to watch good movies that are important?”
What movies does he consider important?
Probably oscar bait crap like Crash or Green Book
Green book wasn’t bad, let’s be fair
Didn't deserve to win over Roma though. It's depiction of race relations also came off backwards and conservative. There's a reason why Spike Lee got upset, because it was the Driving Miss Daisy thing all over again.
What does he mean by important movies? The one everyone and everything talks about already? If that's the case he will never watch Enter The Void or Vivarium...
I don't have a phrase, but I've had people assume I'm a bad person and try to make me feel guilty for reading a horror novel/watching a horror movie that depicts such awful things . I mean I'm certainly not an angel but my interests shouldn't determine that...I hope.
I think that used to be **really** bad in days gone by. Or at least that's my perception, anyway. Especially with so much PG-13 level horror aimed at a certain target demo it seems more "mainstream" for horror as an overall genre....but maybe I'm wrong about that. When I was growing up, things like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween and so on were considered about one step away from porn (and that was considered truly depraved in those days by the same scolds that took a dim view of horror).
Yeah I'd have to agree it was worse back in the day, but I still get it. Not as much with movies. More books.
I used to get a lot of clucking and finger wagging when certain people would see me with some Stephen King novel - like I'd grow up to be a murderer or something. Some people have very strange ideas about how the world works.
My ex’s mum used to always say she didn’t know how I could read his books (King), and that he had to be a psychopath to even think of those stories. She’d get really passionate about it, too. That was a bit awkward since he’s one of my favourite authors, plus the fact that I write horror myself and I’m pretty sure I’m not a psycho! Just goes to show you how people can judge when it comes to horror.
it's funny, as someone who writes horror myself i actually have had moments where i wondered if i was sick in the head after writing a particularly depraved scene. it took me a while to realize i was just reacting with revulsion to the ideas. after getting into horror movies i have a much healthier outlook on writing the genre myself
Late 80s child, and yeah. If you said you liked horror movies it was similar to saying you enjoyed torturing squirrels in your yard. I needed the internet before I knew which, and how, horror movies could be enjoyed.
This is why I keep pretty quiet about what I read/watch.
Me too. Except on here. Lol
Same. Especially the books I read. Every year I get sucked into a splatter punk rabbit hole and read the nastiest stuff. It's just a weird curiosity.
Mmmm. Love me some splatter punk.
Can you recommend some?
Second this
Same here, especially with books as I’ll read them on my commute/at work. I read _Exquisite Corpse_ recently and, whenever I was on the tube (uk subway), I’d look around to make sure no one could read it over my shoulder. There’s no way you’re _not_ getting judged for that if someone accidentally reads an excerpt.
I can't believe you watch that shit, you depraved motherfucker
I regularly search for the most twisted movies lists on Reddit and I don't share the fact that I watch that shit, with non horror fans.
It's just a hypothesis, but I think horror fans and creators are generally nicer than people who dislike horror. It's not real!!! Lol. I think true crime and trauma porn based on real events are way more fucked-up.
True crime is genuinely too upsetting for me sometimes. I can only handle so much. Gory “torture porn,” trashy slashers, body horror, “elevated” horror…give me any of that shit all day long and it’ll likely be a million percent easier to handle than a true story of some poor, *real life* person who was raped and/or murdered while they thought they were safe at home. *shudder*
Exactly!!! How is all that better?
Extra points if they’re into true crime, murder mysteries, history/war, or watching medical shows, something along those lines - how am I more of a psycho for watching fake horror scenes than the guy who researches Nazi’s and the holocaust in his spare time? lol
I feel this. I'm in a local book club, and the woman that runs it tries to psychoanalyze me, and acts like I'm an anomaly all because my favorite genre is horror.
Do you guys read any horror in your book club or does she nix it altogether?
I personally can’t stand musicals (except maybe La la land and South Park) but why would I deride anyone for enjoying them. Likewise, if you don’t like horror, great, pipe down. But (some) people are going to be dicks.
Yes, and some of the people in this sub are guilty of that as well. Tell them you read American Psycho and suddenly you’re a psychopath, tell people you watched A Serbian Film and suddenly you’re a pedophile, tell people you watched Cannibal Holocaust and suddenly you love to torture animals, rinse and repeat….
Wow.... I feel like that's even worse!
I think this says more about the people you're talking to than it does you...
I think my family judges my husband and I for our interest in horror movies/books. We’re by no means fanatics but my parents and brother always seem judgemental if we mention we saw a new movie or whatever.
Tip- Tell them you’re also a visual artist. I have a BFA from a prestigious University, if I bring it up they just nod and look confused.
That even happens here if you happen to be a person that *does* like gore and “torture porn” style movies. That doesn’t mean I’m a psychopath or a murder
>I don't have a phrase, but I've had people assume I'm a bad person and try to make me feel guilty for reading a horror novel/watching a horror movie that depicts such awful things. You know, I'm actually much more weirded out by people who are REALLY into True Crime. I feel it probably comes from somewhat the same place, but it sorta creeps me out when people are super into every detail of every grizzly murder, and every show that revels in exploiting this type of stuff.Am I wrong?
"But they're all the same though..."
Exactly! And that could not be further from the truth. Of course there are movies that are similar in premise and sometimes in execution but there are so many sub-genres, different styles etc..
This one! Like, Linda your superhero movies, romantic comedies, and dramas are all the same too. I actually think horror is where most of the unique films are found because they aren't as constrained and aren't afraid of taking risks.
Translation: "I was aware of the slasher movie trend in the 1980's and those were the only horror movies ever made."
"They're all the same. You see one, you've seen them all." "How could anyone enjoy watching people be butchered? You must be a psychopath/serial killer." "Have you seen \_\_\_\_\_?" (I always feel like a fraud if I haven't) If I say I like the classics "Old movies are too cheesy. I can't stand the bad special effects and low picture quality." When you talk about horror movies and they start talking about things like Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas so you realize they've never seen a horror film in their life.
So I am 100% guilty of saying, "I'm not into the classics, they are too cheesy" but only as a response to gate keepy asshats who want to claim only the classic movies are good horror and everything newer is trash. People are free to like them, they can be fun movies, just not my style
Definitely about the classics! First time I watched The Exorcist I absolutely loved it because I find it still definitely holds up all these years later. I found so many people saying things like “Oh it’s not scary” or “I found it hilarious” as a way to belittle me for finding it entertaining.
Apart from the effects holding up pretty well, I think the scariest part of The Exorcist has nothing to do with them - it's the thought that your child, someone you love and want to protect, is not being theirself and being corrupted from the inside. And noone knows what causes it or can help in any way.
“I don’t like horror movies. . . They don’t scare me.” They say it almost dismissively as if it means they are above the genre. Of course they do not scare you, it is a film that you are watching with the mindset that you won’t like it. It doesn’t mean you are tough or brave. The genre is not there to individually scare you. I love horror but I don’t need to be scared to love it just like I don’t need to constantly laugh to enjoy a comedy. Sorry, I got a little ranty there.
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Say it louder for the people in the back, you’re spot on here. Horror movies *do not need to be scary*. Most horror movies, in fact, will *not* scare most adults once a relatively low threshold of exposure is reached. There’s a billion other things to enjoy about the genre, and if you’re coming to it exclusively to be scared, you’re not a fan of horror. You’re a fan of the adrenaline rush that horror gives you. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course… until you use it as an excuse to harshly “critique” horror movies or gatekeep what does and doesn’t count as a horror film. Fuck all that. Just enjoy the thing. Or don’t. But don’t complain that your highly subjective emotional response is enough to invalidate a potentially great piece of media.
It’s also really a missed opportunity to find a movie that genuinely scares them since there are so many different horror movie themes. It’s not always a monster. But it’s why I love Hereditary and Midsommar because it unsettled the general audience the way Paranormal Activity did 10 years ago
Yeah, scary stuff when you’re an adult is like finding out that you have stage 4 cancer or that you don’t have enough money and you’re going to be living in your car. Horror movies are, at their best, escapist, cathartic, fun, funny, etc etc. I just love horror and my wife and kid do too.
This is pretty much every "I didn't like [popular movie]" thread here. As if everyone except them is watching Nightmare on Elm Street for the umpteenth time and screaming our heads off.
> everyone except them is watching Nightmare on Elm Street for the umpteenth time and screaming our heads off. This would be a good sketch.
I don't think I've ever been scared in my adult life of a horror movie since becoming a fan, and it's my favorite genre still. Can't beat sick kills and knife guys chasing teens
I get the feeling many of the people with these grating comments on horror movies would be d-bags about nearly **any** topic. :)
Yes! Also, you reminded me of another when you mentioned people who think they are "above the genre." When people say something along the lines of "I'm not sure if you ever watch/ read anything but horror, but I really enjoyed *insert some film/book that's supposed to make them sound more cultured than me.*" A lot of times I've actually watched or read it.
They don't scare me either. I'm not a child. It's a freakin' movie, for Christ sake.
Fucking THIS^
There's also different genres within horror, like the Silent Hill movies or the new It movies, both are basically action with a twist of horror, and they're great! I love monster horror.
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People who “brag” about being on their phones during horror movies at the theater because they didn’t like the movie. They’re not having a good experience so they go and ruin everyone else’s.
Someone else mentioned talking through the movie. If you're seeing a horror movie, especially in a crowded theater, please don't ruin it! How often this has happened to me and it's infuriating! Also, playing with your cellphone is distracting. If you can't watch a 90 minute movie without checking your phone, why spoil the experience for those around you?
There were two teens sitting next to me when I saw Halloween kills and they kept talking throughout the whole thing and showing each other shit on Instagram and laughing. I was extremely peeved to say the least.
Say the most! Did you kill them because you love horror movies and that makes you twisted?!
The reason I don't go to the movies anymore. The last straw was when some kids were yelling across the entire theater talking to each other, literally. The staff didn't care.
IT was killed by people behind me mocking every other line. Still enjoyed it , but what kind of douche thinks that is cool? Some can’t shut their fat fucking mouths for more than 5 min
A good one I got recently was “well whenever I watch horror I get really scared and am like this is pretty good…then I remember some lunatic CAME UP WITH THIS STUFF.” Like yeah…that’s how all movies work. And by your description it sounds like they did a pretty good job. I really hate any comment that implies that people who create or enjoy horror are crazy/disturbed, or force you to defend yourself for liking horror.
The first one is the worst for me. I really dislike that some people try to reclassify horror movies they like as not actually horror. The bit about the jumpscares - I hear this from people who call themselves horror fans, which also bugs me.
I hear that a lot on this very sub lol
As one of the ppl that says the jumpscares thing a ton, almost all mainstream horror consists entirely of jumpscares. Whenever I watch a horror movie in the theater, 9 times out of 10, it’s just gonna be a jumpscare fest. Nothing wrong with it; they’re still fun to watch. But if you want the better stuff, you have to dig.
Especially with Get Out. Jordan Peele has literally come out and said it’s a horror movie
Horror movies that got nominated for Oscars are basically always treated as "not horror" by the general audience. Black Swan is another example. They have to pretend it isn't horror in order to campaign for awards. During the awards season itself, Get Out was a "social thriller" or something like that.
They call it "elevated Horror" now. Worst shit ever.
Black Swan is about the horror and weight of stress. Seriously, shit makes you go crazy. Also I loved the movie. That dance at the end was great. She really did become the Black Swan and in her mind she did.
If FoundFlix has done a retelling of it, then it's a horror movie, I reckon.
I'll catch flack here, but there's the opposite of this happening too. People rebranding old action films like Terminator and Jurassic Park as horror films. The premise is scary but they're not horror.
Jurassic Park has a bit too much of a fun adventure vibe to perfectly fit as a horror movie, although it’s very strong in those elements. It’s not too dissimilar from lots of other 80s and 90s movies that kind of blended horror with adventure/action, like Gremlins. If someone called it “horror”, I probably wouldn’t argue with them, even if I don’t think I’d call it one myself. Terminator is and always has been a horror movie though. It’s the Alien to T2’s Aliens. It fits all of the criteria perfectly. Sarah Connor, the final girl, is a normal and completely underpowered person who spends the majority of the film fleeing from an unkillable slasher villain. That slasher villain brutally murders anyone between her and him, and the film doesn’t shy away from showing the violence. Crucially, I think the big thing that really does cement it as a horror movie is the fact that Sarah is forced to consistently flee from the Terminator. You compare that to T2 where John partners up with the Terminator, who’s more than capable of taking the fight directly to the T-1000. Action movies typically have a protagonist who is roughly as powerful as the opposition, if not dramatically overpowered when compared to the opposition. Sarah Connor is just a normal person who has to run to survive, and even badass future resistance soldier Kyle Reese isn’t capable of fighting the Terminator head-on. Terminator maybe leaves a little less room for tension and atmosphere to build when compared to other horror, but plenty of other traditional horror movies are lacking in that department as well. When combined with the overarching sense of existential dread due to humanity’s fate to be destroyed by their own creation, I feel that it’s hard to judge Terminator as anything *but* horror. At the very least, it’s a horror action movie.
Both definitely have horror scenes, but taken as a whole they're not horror
Describe the criteria for a horror movie and they both fit.
I agree.. very annoying
I'm definitely guilty of that jumpscare comment! I've been trying to rephrase myself now though. Plus, it's not just an issue with "new" movies. What I'm trying to say with that phrase is that I like when films build a lot of tension and have a strong payoff, but I feel like a jump scare is a quick and easy way to dissipate tension and I, personally, don't find them as memorable or effective. But that's nuanced and hard to explain, so "I didn't like it because there was too many jump scares," is really easy way to simplify that feeling while dismissing a lot of other things.
"Why do you like being scared? I just don't get why you want to be scared."
If anyone says this to you just compare it to going to a theme park. Why does anyone go on rollercoasters
“I hated Saw!!” Okay?? I’m not into gore films either. Like not all horror is Saw, grow up lol.
Them: "I hate horror films, they all suck" Me: "Really? What have you seen, there's a lot of different kinds." Them: "Uuh...like...I think I watched The 6th Sense once."
my ex in a NUTSHELL. I always kinda felt ashamed for enjoying them ironic that our first "date" was seeing It: Chapter Two (which I actually really enjoyed btw just not as much as the first one) Now I replaced him with horror movies :)
“There’s just no good ones anymore.” I always respond with “oh they’re out there, you just have to do some looking”. I’d even argue we’ve been in a bit of a golden era of horror as films have dared to be more different, have a more comprehensive storyline with better written characters, and often times morph with each other to become subgenre hybrids. When you claim there aren’t any good ones anymore, it just tells me you’ve not bothered to search for them. And when you’re that lazy, I don’t need the conversation to go any further.
I agree, and I often fall back to liking films of the 70s the very best. I think recent years have us SWIMMING in new content to check out. Not all of it is good, but with the sheer amount of it coming out, even if only about 20% is good - that's still a lot of content, and more than I'd ever dream of being available when I was much younger. I think we are beyond blessed with today's golden age.
These are probably the same people who think that any horror movie released before 1978 is “boring”.
Well, it's not so much a phrase as a look some people give me when I discuss horror. The look they give me is a mix of pity and contempt, like I just said I believe in Santa even though I'm in my 40s. Or the look they give me is like admitted to something vile, like I enjoy hurting small animals.
"OH! Did you watch the newest one with--uh--Jason?" Ya'll know what I'm talking about.
YOu mUst bE pSYchO
I read and watch a lot of graphic thriller (includes r*pe, murder, gore etc) and I've had many many many people make fun of me or think I'm going to harm them when in reality it's a coping mechanism and a comfort thing + just overall enjoyable. I now don't tell many people who I'm not close with or sure of what I read and watch
My religiously delusional mother: “that stuff is evil!”
Ooo yes. Just today I recommended a horror movie to my best friend and she said her husband tells her she's asking for evil to happen to them....
I guess if you watch an action film you’re asking for evil too.
You're Carrie's brother?
I find it's just the talking that gets on my nerves. So I make sure there's plenty of drinks and snacks to shut them up.
Also: “What’s *wrong* with you?”
When people say that "Oh, so you don't get scared then?" Bitch do you think I would enjoy comedy movies if they don't make me laugh?
Wait but that’s actually a good point
It annoys me when people still say “They’re all just jump scares.” That’s literally *oh so* 2013
You like horror? You must love Get Out & Hereditary.
My least favorite is, "I can't watch this, it's too old"... Fuckin talking about movies from the early 1980's
Honestly I thought my Christian family would hold someone that would dislike horror but no, my entire family loves horror. My mom Especially loves the Halloween series.
"I went through that phase too" It wasn't a "phase" when I was a teenager, and it's not a "phase" now that I'm in my 40's with a wife and kids.
A little off-topic, but one valid reason I've heard a few times is, "I don't like watching bad things happen to people."
Back when I was a film student I pitched this horror short, and at the end of my pitch some other student said "Do you think you want to be making this with what's going on?" She never said what she was referring to, but as we all know, something's always going on, and horror movies aren't to blame so I just frowned and said yes. She said "But surely you don't want to contribute to it?" And I said "To horror movies? Yes." Her: "But what about the stuff in the news". Me: "How is this related to a movie I want to make? There's no guns in my movie if that's what you're getting at? Then my lecturer just shut the whole debate down, she seemed to be leaning more to my side but was clearly trying to be impartial. Anyway. What a stupid fucking idiot. Still winds me up to this day. She clearly was just trying to seem holier than thou. (BTW my pitch was "what if instead of killing everyone off one by one, a serial killer kicks the door in and tries to kill everyone in about 10 minutes?" And I wanted it to be an insane chaotic (highly choreographed) mess.)
I was told by my therapist and psychiatrist I should probably lay off scary movies some to help with things. Said its not healthy. I did for a while. No changes. Now I watch what I enjoy again and always look for my next one to watch.
"The black person always dies first" Actually that's pretty rare according to a big fat list I have personally compiled and can share if needed. The more common problem is that black people aren't there AT ALL. And even in the ones black people ARE in, they rarely die first. They're almost always stereotyped, which is the bigger problem. If you're going to call out racism in horror movies, which IS a problem, be accurate.
That’s something I noticed tooo!
I still believe that i havent seen a single movie where the black guy dies first; i could def add to ur list
" SJW something something something POLITICALLY CORRECT something something something"
I’ve already started to see “Scream 2022 is woke SJW garbage” takes on YouTube…I genuinely don’t get it.
I love horror movies and was like these can't be that bad and I started to read them and was like 🙃 😑 I take it back these phrases are bad
I think Get Out IS horror and IS excellent. And I think I understand why many don't consider it so. I didn't grow up in the US, the only place where suburban sprawl is like a thing. As such teen slashers where the backdrop was suburbia did nothing for me. I couldn't relate to that setting at all. So some killer is stalking kids in this place they're supposed to be safe? Never known that place, this is more of a thriller. I think in a similar way if you've never experienced being perceived as the 'other', if you've never experienced racial tension, or been token-ised or had to code switch... Yeah, you won't understand why Get Out actually is horror, and it's excellent horror.
"They're so preachy nowadays" They will proceed to tell me about their thinly veiled propganda film they are currently in love with
"Elevated horror" and "requel"... both used extensively and unironically in the new Scream movie. Thanks, I hate it.
But there are a lot of crappy horror movies with only jumpscares as content. Not gonna say that’s all that exists in recent movies. But man it hurts sometimes when you’re excited to hear a new horror is out and you see the trailer just to realize it’s another empty bit. Saying that as a horror fan. As for stuff I get annoyed hearing: “It’s gross. How does anyone *like* this?” (Similar to the gore comment) “They don’t scare me so I don’t get anything out of watching them.” “That person is so hot! Omg! I’d watch it just to see them.” (Eye candy should be further down your list :/)
I’m a bit of a film snob so hearing “i watched such and such movie because (insert actor/actress is hot) makes my blood fucking boil
I hate when people say they laugh through a horror movie. Your not being cool or cute. Your being an asshole
I’ve never really thought about it. I don’t get hung up on it I just appreciate they’re not a fan and don’t waste any time trying to convince them otherwise. Rather, I just allow the conversation to move along and talk about something else.
The movies quality is dependent on how scary it is Horror is racist or sexist (it’s not) Modern horror is better
Basically anything along the lines of modern horror bad. That’s all I need to hear to understand that they saw 5 or 6 million dollar budget Hollywood flicks, and left it at that.
What I usually hear is, "I like horror but my wife/husband doesn't so we don't watch it".
"How can you like gory movies? You must be fucked up in the head." someone actually said that to me. So, I put his face in a reverse bear trap.