People have strong, mixed feelings about horror movies. Teens especially watch them often, though they sometimes still get uneasy. Horror movies are geared towards teenagers by featuring teenage characters who are often vulnerable and inexperienced, reflecting the audience’s own coming-of-age experiences and anxieties.
Junior Callie Mickelson enjoys horror movies, “I only watch them with friends, so whenever my friends watch them.”
But sometimes the movie itself isn’t what makes people scared, but the content of the movie, like horror movies tropes. Some common horror tropes; include jump scares, found footage, creepy clowns, twist endings, and the cute, creepy child.
Senior Enish Guerrero, Junior Callie Mickelson, and Junior Batoul Soueidan all had similar answers,They all said that the jumpscares are usually what scare them during the movie.
“I hate jump scares, that’s what scares me,” said Soueidan, and “ It’s mostly the jump scares that scare me,” said Senior Enish Guerrero. With all the common factors of jump scares being what scares people during movies, why does this happen, though?
“Sparks explains how it works: When people watch frightening films, their heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing increase,” writes Margarita Tartakovsky in a June 13, 2022, article from PsychCentral. “He notes that some people enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes from not only watching horror flicks but also from riding roller coasters and other fear-inducing activities.”
People tend to have feelings about horror movies and feel like something is lingering, especially when they are alone. “After the film is over, this physical arousal lingers. This means that any positive emotions you experience, such as having fun with friends, become intensified,” states a June 13, 2022, article from PsychCentral.
People prefer company when watching horror movies, even if the other person is scared too. Mickelson said, “I watch movies with my friends and I don’t get as scared watching them with friends.” Even if everyone is nervous, having company makes the experience easier—and often more fun.
Building on this idea, psychologists say that group settings can actually transform fear into excitement. Sharing jump scares and laughter can feel like riding a roller coaster together, creating both thrills and stronger friendships.
Guerrero also adds, “Depending on what movie it is, I watch them with my friends or my brother.” Soueidan said, “I watch them when she’s happy because if I’m scared , why would I make myself more scared?” She watches them with her friends. She said they make it more fun and crack jokes.
“Characters in horror films often find themselves isolated or removed from the safety of society. This isolation can be physical, psychological, or emotional, and it amplifies their vulnerability, making the audience feel more anxious and invested in their fate,” states a Raindance article on September 10, 2024, by Anna Taborska.
Whether it’s for the fear, the laughs, or the bonding, horror movies continue to draw people in—especially when they aren’t watching alone.
Even though scary movies can make people jump or hide behind a pillow, some students still can’t resist them. Mickelson and Guerrero both enjoy The Conjuring as a favorite, despite its chilling storyline and scary scenes. Enish also enjoys the Annabelle series, another series known for its creepy doll haunting girls. Meanwhile, Soueidan prefers Before You Wake, a film that mixes mystery with fear.
For these students, horror is more than just a scare—it’s a chance to embrace thrills, connect with friends, and confront fear together.Watching horror movies can turn into a shared experience, where laughter and screams mix as the suspense builds. In the end, horror movies bring a unique kind of excitement, offering students both entertainment and a way to test their own bravery.
