Horror movies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Some people thrive on the adrenaline rush, the heart-pounding suspense, and the eerie atmosphere. Others, however, would rather watch paint dry than subject themselves to two hours of fear and anxiety.

But have you ever wondered if your aversion to horror movies says something about your character traits?

Psychology suggests that it might.

Turns out, those who shy away from the terror-ridden genre often share certain personality characteristics.

In my case, I’ve always found myself outside the circle of horror enthusiasts, and after digging into the subject, I realized I’m not alone. 

In this article, we’re going to lay out 9 character traits common among people who would rather skip horror flicks.

1) You’re empathetic

When it comes to character traits, empathy is a biggie.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. And for those who avoid horror movies, this trait often comes into play.

Imagine you’re watching a horror movie. The suspenseful music begins to play, signaling that something terrible is about to happen to one of the characters.

If you’re empathetic, you don’t just see this as a plot point. You feel for the character – their fear becomes your fear.

This can make horror movies an uncomfortable, even distressing experience.

No, you don’t feel that way because you’re being ‘scared’ in the traditional sense. You just feel deeply for the characters on screen, which can be emotionally exhausting.

But let’s not forget:

Empathy is a beautiful trait to have. It connects us with others and fosters compassion. And if horror movies aren’t your thing, it might just be because your empathy is off the charts.

2) You’re sensitive to stimuli

Have you ever heard of “sensory processing sensitivity“?

Well, it’s a trait associated with deeper cognitive processing of physical, emotional, and social stimuli.

In simple terms, it means that some people are more affected by what they see, hear, and feel than others.

And guess what?

These individuals often find horror movies to be too intense and overwhelming. The loud noises, the graphic images, the intense emotions – it can all be too much.

Surprisingly, only up to 30% of people have this trait, which explains why some avoid horror movies.

If you’re part of this group, you’re not just ‘easily scared’ — your brain is wired to feel and process everything more intensely.

When you’re highly sensitive to stimuli, watching a horror movie isn’t just a casual pastime.

It’s an onslaught on your senses that can leave you feeling drained and anxious. This is why you might find yourself avoiding them altogether.

3) You appreciate predictability

Interestingly, the same sensitivity to stimuli that makes horror movies overwhelming may also make you yearn for predictability.

When the world around you seems intense, it can be comforting to know what’s going to happen next.

And let’s face it, horror movies are anything but predictable.

One moment everything is calm and peaceful. Next, there’s a jump scare that sends popcorn flying.

This unpredictability, while thrilling for some, can be nerve-wracking for those who crave a sense of control and predictability in their environment.

For you, a movie night is more enjoyable when it’s free from shocking twists and turns. Why?

Because you prefer stories where you can anticipate the outcomes, and where the narrative follows a more predictable path.

In a world full of surprises, sometimes the last thing you want is for your entertainment to be another source of uncertainty.

4) You’re a natural problem-solver

Ever find yourself trying to solve problems before they even arise?

That’s a sign of being a natural problem-solver.

You’re the type of person who likes to think things through, identify potential issues, and find solutions.

In the context of horror movies, this trait can be somewhat frustrating.

After all, many horror films rely on characters making poor decisions that lead them into danger.

For a natural problem-solver, it can be maddening to watch characters walk into obvious traps or ignore clear warning signs. You might find yourself mentally shouting at the screen, offering better escape routes or smarter hiding places.

This constant analysis and the desire to fix situations can take you out of the immersive experience of the movie.

Instead of feeling the thrill of suspense, you’re caught up in the logic (or lack thereof) of the plot.

5) You value your peace of mind

Peace of mind isn’t something to be taken lightly.

I mean, who doesn’t want to feel calm, relaxed, and free from worry?

For many people who don’t enjoy horror movies, it all boils down to the desire to preserve their peace of mind.

Here are a few ways horror movies can disrupt that tranquillity:

• The lingering feeling of unease after the movie ends
• The way certain scenes can invade your thoughts when you’re alone at night
• The adrenaline rush that takes time to settle down

Simply put, if you’d rather not deal with these disruptions, it makes perfect sense to avoid horror movies altogether.

6) You’re a vivid dreamer

Now, let’s talk about dreams.

I don’t mean aspirations or goals, but the kind we experience when we close our eyes at night.

Some of us are vivid dreamers, with rich, detailed dreams that feel incredibly real. If you’re one of those people, watching a horror movie might affect your dream state more than you’d like.

I know from personal experience how a scary movie can lead to a night of disturbing dreams.

You see, this creepy imagery and intense emotions can seep into our subconscious and color our dreams with fear and anxiety.

That’s why I think it’s understandable that as a vivid dreamer, you might steer clear of horror movies.

Because no one wants to trade peaceful sleep for nightmares, right?

7) You’re introspective

Picture this: you’re sat alone after a horror movie, unable to shake off the eerie feeling it left you with.

Instead of moving on, you find yourself reflecting on the movie’s themes, contemplating the nature of fear, and questioning your own mortality.

Sounds familiar?

Well, introspection is a trait often found in those who are not fans of horror movies. It’s not just about being scared during the movie — it’s about the profound thoughts and questions it triggers afterward.

Just think about it.

Does the concept of death trouble you? Do you find yourself pondering over the darker aspects of human nature?

These are signs of introspection, and if you exhibit this trait, it’s no wonder horror movies make you uncomfortable.

They force us to confront things we’d rather reflect on in our own time and space.

8) You’re a comfort seeker

We all have our cozy zones, don’t we?

However, being a comfort seeker isn’t about being scared or weak. It shows that you know what makes you feel at ease and choose to prioritize that peace.

So, why choose discomfort when you can bask in what feels good?

I remember how I used to force myself to watch horror movies at sleepovers in my teenage years, just to fit in. B

ut the truth was, I didn’t enjoy them. Even more — they made me anxious and uncomfortable, robbing me of the relaxed, carefree feeling I craved during these get-togethers.

The eerie music, and the sudden jumps, didn’t thrill me.

They unsettled me. And that’s not what I wanted from my movie experience.

9) You’re an advocate for positivity

Finally, the most significant trait common among people who don’t enjoy horror movies: being an advocate for positivity.

• You believe in focusing on the good in life.
• You prefer stories that uplift, inspire, or make you laugh.
• You choose to fill your mind with positive thoughts and images, rather than those that evoke fear or negativity.

And that’s perfectly okay.

This doesn’t mean you’re naive or oblivious to the darker aspects of life.

It just means you deliberately choose positivity over fear, hope over despair, and joy over terror.

While horror and negativity often dominate the modern media, being an advocate for positivity is not just refreshing, but also courageous.

And if that means skipping out on the latest horror flick, then so be it.

Can your movie preferences actually reveal your character traits?

This question might have seemed a bit far-fetched at the beginning of this article. But as we’ve delved into the psychology behind our movie preferences, it becomes clear that our choices do reflect certain aspects of our personality.

Of course, this isn’t an exact science. Our movie preferences can change over time, just like we do.

But it’s an interesting reflection to see how our choices in entertainment can mirror who we are as individuals.

So, here’s your final takeaway:

Whenever you sit comfortably and decide what to watch, take a moment to ponder what your choice says about you. It could be more revealing than you think.