The science of scares: How watching horror this Halloween could boost your wellbeing

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For some of us, the thought of having to watch a horror movie fills us with… well, horror.

If you’re considering skipping scary movies this Halloween, you might be surprised to learn that watching horror films could actually be good for your mental health.

Mathias Clasen studies what makes horror enjoyable and leads the Recreational Fear Lab, which scientifically explores why people like being scared and how it can actually be good for them.

Recreational fear is simply enjoying a scary experience. It covers a wide range of activities, from a baby’s delight in peekaboo to the thrill of a fast bike ride, a scary movie night for teens, or even an adult speeding in a car. Essentially, it’s finding pleasure in being frightened.

He notes this contradicts the long-held belief that horror is viewed with distrust, considered morally wrong, psychologically damaging, and artistically poor – assumptions he argues are false.

He discovered that people who enjoy horror movies tend to handle frightening or traumatic experiences better in real life. This is likely because they’re more practiced at managing their fear and other strong emotions.

I remember reading about a really interesting study done during the height of the pandemic. Researchers looked at how people who loved horror movies dealt with everything that was going on, compared to those who didn’t. The basic idea was that watching scary movies actually helps you practice managing your fear – it’s like a workout for your anxiety, which is fascinating!

People manage their fear by using different techniques to either increase or decrease its intensity, aiming for a comfortable level. The more you practice these techniques, the more effective they become – it’s similar to how building strength works when you lift weights.

It takes practice, similar to overcoming the nerves of public speaking. The more you do something, the better you become at handling the stress, until you can do it confidently and calmly.

The ways you handle fear and stress while watching a horror movie are the same techniques that can help you deal with real-life challenges, like a job interview or a pandemic.

Our research showed that people who frequently watch scary movies actually experienced less psychological distress. Specifically, they reported better sleep and lower stress levels, likely because they’re accustomed to managing feelings of uncertainty and anxiety – and they’ve developed coping mechanisms to do so.

Interestingly, Clasen’s research suggests that being scared by horror can actually be good for your immune system. In a study of people visiting a haunted house, they found a positive immune response, and even evidence that horror experiences could potentially reduce inflammation.

When we watch horror, our brains strike a balance between feeling scared and knowing it’s not actually real, explains Clasen. It’s a mix of our natural fear responses kicking in and our understanding that what we’re seeing is just a movie or story.

He explains that when we watch something scary, certain parts of our brain react as if we’re actually in danger. Even though we know we’re safe – like sitting in a movie theater watching a film – our brains respond as if the threat is real.

Movies create a sense of being ‘inside’ the story through their structure and editing. Techniques like jump scares – using sudden sights and sounds – actually activate our brain’s natural defenses, even though we know it’s not real.

Clasen notes that there have been instances in the past where this wasn’t the case. A famous example is the 1992 program Ghostwatch, which was presented as a live broadcast and led to thousands of complaints being filed with the BBC.

Generally, viewers understand they’re watching something made up, which creates a unique experience. It allows them to feel a sense of danger without actually being afraid, because they know they’re safe – there’s a mental separation between them and the events unfolding.

What really struck me about this film is how it understands pleasure. It’s not about being genuinely scared, but that incredible feeling after the scare – realizing you’re safe, but still feeling that adrenaline rush from what you just witnessed. It’s that powerful physical response, combined with the relief, that the director really taps into, and it’s surprisingly effective. It’s a clever understanding of how we experience thrills.

Our relationship with horror is more complex than you might think, though.

“What’s the relationship between fear and enjoyment in this domain?” Clasen ponders.

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by what makes a film truly gripping. It’s not just about being scared, though. If you think about it – how much fear a movie gives you versus how much you enjoy it – it doesn’t simply mean ‘more fear equals more fun.’ Instead, there’s a perfect balance. It’s more like a curve – a sweet spot where the fear is intense enough to be thrilling, but not so much that it ruins the experience. That’s where the really great films live, I think.

Horror works best when it’s just frightening enough – that’s when people get the most enjoyment from it. When experiencing horror, people often try to find a comfortable level of fear to maximize their pleasure.

If someone is watching a scary movie, they might try to calm themselves down by remembering it’s not real. They could start thinking about their to-do list to distract themselves. While some might cover their eyes – which isn’t very helpful – others might reach for a friend or family member sitting nearby.

People use a variety of mental and behavioral techniques, as well as social strategies, to manage their fears – essentially, to move along a spectrum from being overwhelmed to feeling safe.

So, if you’re looking for recommendations this Halloween, what scared our horror expert?

I’ve noticed so many great horror movies lately, and it’s fascinating to me why. According to Clasen, this recent surge in horror is actually a reaction to everything we’ve all been through – the wars, the pandemic, and just the overall feeling of unease and instability in the world. It’s like we’re processing real-life horrors through fictional ones.

He suggests checking out the 2011 indie horror film Silent House, with Elizabeth Olsen, saying it pushed him to his breaking point. He also highly praises Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House, calling it a truly exceptional work.

Looking for something spooky to watch this Halloween? There are lots of new movies and shows coming out, like “It: Welcome to Derry,” “Black Phone 2,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” and “Predator: Badlands,” just to name a few.

Who knows? They might just do you some good.

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2025-10-24 09:49