Horror movies have long been a source of spine-tingling thrills and captivating storytelling and continue to bring in massive crowds and millions of dollars to the box office every year. Horror movies of all kinds invite us into worlds filled with monsters, ghosts, and unimaginable thrills, providing an adrenaline rush that keeps us coming back for more. But beyond their entertainment value, there’s an ongoing debate about whether these cinematic nightmares have any correlation with deviant behavior and violent crime, both in the short term and the long term. In this blog, we’ll explore the intriguing relationship between horror movies and society, as found in a 2008 study. We will touch on key sociological concepts such as deviance, social stigma, primary deviance, and secondary deviance.
The Thrill of the Unknown
For centuries, humans have been drawn to stories of the supernatural and the macabre. Even in our most primal way, the fear of a threat in the dark triggers our biological fight or flight. The fear and excitement that horror movies evoke are part of our collective psyche, offering a safe and controlled environment to experience intense emotions. But could these films, filled with gore and violence, influence our real-world actions and behavior? Do franchises that glorify gore, like Saw, affect how people see violence and pain in daily life? Are psychological thrillers like The Shining catalysts for mental unrest in its viewers?
