The Fear Factor

Scary movies make up such a large percentage of popular entertainment today, especially for teenagers today. But what is it that triggers such an interest? Fear is an entirely negative emotion, it doesn't allow the mind to think clearly and can cause people to do horrible things. So why is it that people want to feel such a negative emotion? In my opinion, it is probably because of the rush accompanied by potential danger, even if the danger is illogical. Scary movies trick the mind into releasing adrenaline and increasing heart rate, but at what cost? The nervous night or even the horrified walk to your car in the dark is not worth it for a few moments of energy flowing through your veins. Economically, hollywood will keep making these movies because they sell. Even if they are bad movies, they transform into comedies that amuse the audience. The best kind of scary movie is the one that is incredibly scary but involves such paranormal or impossible circumstances that the thought of danger cannot even be reflected in real life. Show me a movie about a serial killer, and it is certainly not worth it because I probably won't sleep for a week. Show me a movie about demons or ghosts, and I'll be happy with my adrenaline rush but sleep soundly realizing the impossibility of my possession or a haunting.