People who genuinely enjoy scary movies usually display these 9 traits, says science

The sound effects, the flickering lights, the shadowy figure creeping closer—if these elements send shivers down your spine in the most thrilling way, you’re in good company.
For some, horror movies are an irresistible rush, packed with adrenaline and suspense.
For others, they’re an absolute nightmare.
But here’s the real question: why are some people drawn to fear like a moth to a flame, while others can’t even watch a trailer?
According to science, fans of scary movies share fascinating psychological traits that set them apart.
In this article, we’ll delve into 9 surprising characteristics that might just explain why you embrace the thrill of terror—and what it reveals about you.
1) Craving for adrenaline
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of horror movie fans?
Chances are, it’s their love for the thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with watching something scary.
There’s something about the suspense, the jumpscares, and the heart-pounding fear that some people just can’t seem to get enough of.
People who genuinely enjoy scary movies have a higher-than-average need for excitement and novelty.
It’s like they’re thrill-seekers, constantly pursuing activities that give them a rush of adrenaline.
And while this might sound a bit intense to those who prefer a calm night in, it’s part and parcel of what makes horror movie fans tick.
2) Comfort with the unknown
Now, here’s something I’ve noticed about my friends who love horror films.
They seem to have a unique comfort with the unknown—the uncertain, the eerie, the unsettling.
I remember one weekend when we were planning a trip.
We had two options: a familiar, well-known beach resort, or a remote, somewhat mysterious cottage in the woods that none of us had visited before.
While most of us gravitated towards the predictable comfort of the beach resort, my horror movie-loving friends were drawn to the unknown cottage.
The mystery it offered excited them.
It’s clear that fans of horror films have a high tolerance for uncertainty.
They’re comfortable with not knowing what’s around the corner, both in the movies and in real life.
3) High empathy levels
Contrary to what some might believe, fans of horror films have high levels of empathy.
It seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? After all, why would someone who enjoys watching terrifying scenes be more empathetic?
But when you think about it, it starts to make sense.
Empathy is about understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
When watching a horror movie, viewers are put in the shoes of the characters. They feel their fear, their panic, their desperation.
People with high empathy experience even more fear during a horror film.
They get more engrossed in the story, connecting deeply with the characters’ emotions.
As Brené Brown said, “Empathy is not connecting to an experience, it’s connecting to the emotions that underpin an experience.”
In horror films, fans connect with the characters’ emotional experiences, deepening their empathy and understanding.
4) An active imagination
Have you ever noticed how horror movie buffs seem to have an active and vivid imagination?
They tend to get really engrossed in the plot, the characters, the suspense, and the terror.
And it’s not just losing themselves in the fictional world.
It’s the ability to imagine various scenarios, outcomes, and possibilities.
It seems that fans of scary movies possess what is known as a ‘high sensation seeking’ personality trait.
This means they have a tendency to seek out new and varied experiences, often fueled by a rich imagination.
Their ability to fully immerse themselves in the scare-fest, to visualize every haunting image, and to anticipate every jump scare sets them apart.
Albert Einstein once remarked, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
For horror fans, that vivid imagination brings the thrill of anticipation and the joy of the unexpected.
5) Ability to detach from reality
Another interesting trait that many horror movie lovers share is the ability to detach themselves from reality.
Watching a terrifying movie can be an intense experience.
There’s fear, suspense, and a whole lot of anxiety.
But fans of the genre seem to have a knack for recognizing that what they’re watching is fiction.
They’re able to separate the horrifying events on screen from their real lives.
This doesn’t mean they’re unaffected by the movie, but they can keep a certain level of detachment which allows them to enjoy the thrill without getting overly disturbed.
This ability to detach and view the film as pure entertainment is part of what makes horror movies enjoyable for these fans.
It’s their ticket to a thrilling experience without letting it invade their real-world peace of mind.
6) A sense of resilience
Being a fan of horror movies is not for the faint of heart. It’s about facing your fears, one jump scare at a time.
And in a way, that’s a testament to resilience.
Resilience is about bouncing back from difficult experiences, and horror movie fans do that every time they sit down to watch a film that’s designed to scare them.
They may get shocked, scared, even terrified at times, but they’re back for more the moment the credits roll.
This might not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually an important life skill.
Life can be filled with challenges and setbacks, and being able to face them head-on and bounce back stronger is an invaluable trait.
So next time you watch a horror movie, remember: you’re not just enjoying a good scare.
You’re demonstrating resilience in the face of fear. And that’s something to be proud of.
7) An appreciation for the art
I’ve always been drawn to the intricate details of horror movies.
The way the filmmakers craft each scene, building suspense with every shot.
The eerie music that sends shivers down your spine.
The carefully crafted dialogues that heighten the tension.
It’s not just the thrill or the fear.
It’s the appreciation for the effort that goes into creating a world designed to terrify and entertain simultaneously.
In my experience, many horror movie fans share this sentiment.
They don’t just watch these movies for the scares, they watch them for the artistry.
They value the creativity, the storytelling, and the craftsmanship that go into making a truly great horror movie.
This recognition of the genre as an art form is a trait that distinguishes them.
8) A knack for critical thinking
Horror movie fans possess a knack for critical thinking.
Now, you might be wondering, what does watching terrifying movies have to do with critical thinking? Well, quite a lot actually.
A good horror movie is filled with suspense and mystery.
It keeps you guessing, trying to figure out the plot, the motives of the characters, and what the outcome will be.
Fans of the genre find themselves analyzing every scene, every dialogue, every clue.
They’re not just passively watching the movie; they’re actively trying to solve the mystery before it unravels.
This active engagement can enhance their problem-solving and analytical skills.
It’s like a mental workout, wrapped in a cloak of entertainment.
9) An understanding of fear
The most significant trait that horror movie enthusiasts share is a deep understanding of fear.
Fear is a primal, powerful emotion that can be overwhelming.
But fans of horror movies confront this emotion head-on, again and again.
They experience fear in a controlled environment, learning its triggers, effects, and how it works.
This exposure gives them a unique perspective on fear.
They learn to recognize it, manage it, and even enjoy it in certain contexts.
Understanding fear isn’t simply watching horror films.
It’s embracing an emotion that many people spend their lives trying to avoid. It’s learning to navigate the darker corners of the human psyche.
In the process, they gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
In the words of Mark Twain, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”
Fans of horror films develop this courage, mastering fear rather than running from it, and in doing so, they gain invaluable insight into both themselves and the human experience.
The essence: A dance with fear
At the core of our fascination with horror movies lies an intimate dance with fear.
The human brain is a complex organ, capable of producing a myriad of emotions and responses.
Fear, one of our most primal emotions, can be both a source of discomfort and a catalyst for excitement.
For fans of horror movies, this dance is not just the thrill of the scare.
It’s understanding fear, confronting it, and learning to manage it in a controlled setting.
It’s the adrenaline rush, the active imagination, the comfort in the unknown, and indeed, the resilience.
Each jump scare, each goosebump-inducing scene, each chill down the spine is an exploration into the realm of fear.
And with every exploration, there’s a deeper understanding of self.
And perhaps that’s what makes fans of horror films so fascinating – their willingness to dance with fear time and again.