Why some can and some can't...

[The Bloofer Lady]

Since I have joined this forum, a lot of films have come to my attention that well..would probably make me physically sick to watch. When I look them up on Wikipedia , I am even sorry I read the description. Such films as "A Serbian Film", "Father's Day", "Necromatik"etc. Heck, I can't even watch any of the "Hostel" films.

Yet, many of the members of this forum, who appear to be on my wavelength can watch these. I'm not out to start any discord...I just wonder what's my deal? I can't even handle a preview.

Is it because I am older(57)? A parent and grandmother? (though I've been like this forever). I'm genuinely interested to know why some can watch these type of films and some can't and not out to offend anyone.

[Giganticface]

That's a good question! I think the reasons people enjoy watching horror, gore, dark dramas and exploitative films are broadly varying, and part of a complex psychology. We each have our own tastes, and unique reasons for having the tastes. Students could write dissertations on the topic, and I'm sure they have.

I've been a horror fan my whole life, and also a fan of dark art and music. I'm not sure why. I had a good upbringing, and was successful in academics, athletics, and art. Yet, I still was always doodling violent images and writing disturbing poetry. I don't think I'm a depressive person, but there's definitely something going on there.

So being drawn to the scary stuff seemed engrained in me, whether that be part if my natural brain chemistry, or a product of my environment somehow. But what type of scary stuff is an important distinction, and that's what you're asking about.

I personally cannot stand non-fictional disturbing stuff. I don't enjoy real crime documentaries, stuff like Faces of Death isn't fun for me, and I don't even like watching the news. However, I enjoy watching the most disturbing fictional stuff out there. (Although, I admit, I've yet to see A Serbian Film.)

For most of my horror watching life, I was always mostly drawn to psychological stuff and ghosts, and I have a soft spot for demon possession. But a few years ago, probably with the advent of Hostel, and the tendency for ultraviolence from the rest of the Splat Pack (Saw, Devils Rejects, Hills Have Eyes remake, Wolf Creek), and then discovering New French Extremity (Inside, Martyrs, High Tension), I discovered that watching these films felt almost like a dare, and if I could watch them without averting my eyes, it was titillating. Take it a step further, to the exploitative stuff you mentioned, and Cannibal Holocaust, The Human Centipede, etc., and each film is like an exhausting experience that sticks with you for a while afterwards.

I'm not sure I can fully explain why, but I believe I enjoy these films because a) I know they're not real, and b) they make me feel something I would never (hopefully ever) feel in real life, and "getting through it" feels almost like an accomplishment, and that I survived a traumatic experience. It's a theory, anyway.

I'm curious to hear other people's views!

[horcrux2007]

I honestly have no idea why I like gory movies. I guess they just entertain me?
As for movies like A Serbian Film, I'd only watch those for a reaction or something on my channel. I usually never watch those movies again.

[Sculpt]

Interesting question, Bloofer Lady. And thanks, Gigan, I know what you mean.

Originally Posted by horcrux2007

I honestly have no idea why I like gory movies. I guess they just entertain me?
As for movies like A Serbian Film, I'd only watch those for a reaction or something on my channel. I usually never watch those movies again.

Horcrux, I didn't understand what you said in bold. What does it mean 'you'd only watch for a reaction', and 'or something on my channel'?

[horcrux2007]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Interesting question, Bloofer Lady. And thanks, Gigan, I know what you mean.


Horcrux, I didn't understand what you said in bold. What does it mean 'you'd only watch for a reaction', and 'or something on my channel'?

My youtube channel. I should have clarified.

[Sculpt]

Oh ok, thx. And you mean the reaction people post to your channel?

[horcrux2007]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Oh ok, thx. And you mean the reaction people post to your channel?

It's a video of me watching a movie usually notorious for it being really scary, bloody, disturbing, or disgusting.

[Angra]

I'm a horror nut, I watch everything hyped.

But i'm not a fan of cruel movies. I don't appreciate being disturbed by a movie.

[hammerfan]

I'm not a fan of what I call "slice-n-dice" movies. Movies like Hostel, Saw, etc. I prefer movies that have creatures, or poltergeists, or the occult....or something along those lines.

[horcrux2007]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

I'm not a fan of what I call "slice-n-dice" movies. Movies like Hostel, Saw, etc. I prefer movies that have creatures, or poltergeists, or the occult....or something along those lines.

I like both. I'm a fan of lots of gore and supernatural gore-free movies.