Poll: Avoidance of Horror Movies and Depression

[xDarc]

I have a massive collection of movies, many horror films as well. I have all that wonderful zombie stuff, the holy trinity (Jason, Michael and Freddy), and a slew of obscure 80's one offs. I haven't watched any of them lately, because I have been depressed.

It's the kind of depression that comes from being 28, having no friends left who didn't get married and disappear or move away from this pit I call home. The kind where all you do is go to work and watch your bank account grow little by little, telling yourself, I've got plans. In short, it's the kind of depression that just comes from being a responsible adult in life. It gets real boring real fast.

That said, every day before work I make a meal and watch a movie. For the duration of the winter, my comedy collection has been growing tremendously. Stand up, slapstick, RomComs, etc.

So now I, a huge horror fan, am thinking of several I'd like to watch but I just can't bring myself to put any of them on. I think I will force myself to and see how I feel later.

The whole self-awareness thing got me wondering though, do you think that people who only want to watch, light, fluffy movies, can clue you in as to whether or not they are suffering from some sort of depression?

 

[BonsaiK]

I'd say it's got more to do with the ratio that people stop watching movies and get out of the house. That's certainly what I'd prescribe in your case.

 

[xDarc]

I'd say it's got more to do with the ratio that people stop watching movies and get out of the house. That's certainly what I'd prescribe in your case.

Wow, I didn't see this response coming...

Get out of the house and do what exactly? Life is not a limitless adventure. You have obligations, bills, and a job.

 

[Jonluw]

I don't care about artistic merit, but since "lack of artistic merit" is what's closest to the reason I don't watch horror movies (I don't find them interesting at all), I voted for that.

I don't have much trouble with the fact that they're scary. I handle that fine. I just don't see why I would want to pay money to watch a movie that only tries to scare me, when I could be watching a movie that tries to entertain me.

 

[Ambi]

People getting killed and terrified on the screen is a bit depressing, especially when you think of how it happens in real life. Some of them look eerily beautiful, though. I kind of want to see The Orphanage. I haven't gone out of my way to see it since I saw the trailer a few years back.

I'm not depressed and I'd watch a horror movie if someone put one on, just to face it long enough to rationalise peace, like how I looked at that dead bird and and the massive bones at the butcher.

 

[Thaluikhain]

It's the kind of depression that comes from being 28, having no friends left who didn't get married and disappear or move away from this pit I call home. The kind where all you do is go to work and watch your bank account grow little by little, telling yourself, I've got plans. In short, it's the kind of depression that just comes from being a responsible adult in life. It gets real boring real fast.

Eh, that's me in a few months, assuming I find a job.

I find my emotional state does affect what I'd like to watch and/or sit through, but my tastes will change over time as well.

I really used to like the Lethal Weapon movies a few years back, but I haven't watched them for ages, because that sort of silliness hasn't appealed, for example.

 

[Hoplon]

I have a massive collection of movies, many horror films as well. I have all that wonderful zombie stuff, the holy trinity (Jason, Michael and Freddy), and a slew of obscure 80's one offs. I haven't watched any of them lately, because I have been depressed.

It's the kind of depression that comes from being 28, having no friends left who didn't get married and disappear or move away from this pit I call home. The kind where all you do is go to work and watch your bank account grow little by little, telling yourself, I've got plans. In short, it's the kind of depression that just comes from being a responsible adult in life. It gets real boring real fast.

That said, every day before work I make a meal and watch a movie. For the duration of the winter, my comedy collection has been growing tremendously. Stand up, slapstick, RomComs, etc.

So now I, a huge horror fan, am thinking of several I'd like to watch but I just can't bring myself to put any of them on. I think I will force myself to and see how I feel later.

The whole self-awareness thing got me wondering though, do you think that people who only want to watch, light, fluffy movies, can clue you in as to whether or not they are suffering from some sort of depression?

Nope, I don't watch them mostly because they are dumber than a bag of hammers, perhaps you have just grown out of them?

Like people grow out of metal.

 

[sazzrah]

Wow BonsaiK, what a cheap shot. Seems anyone who talks about their problems on the internet in an open forum, unfortunately, will have to suffer someone telling them that the answer to all their life's ills is to 'get out more'.

Anyway, back to the OP...

I am a student psychotherapist and I have found in my experience of studying and working with depressed clients is that everyone, and I mean every single person on this Earth, reacts to depression in vastly different ways.

Some might watch films to enhance or negate their mood, but then some might not watch anything at all. Some might listen to music or play video games. How would one then classify the mental state of someone who preferred the comfort of pop music but just so happened to enjoy horror movies too? What you're suggesting is a mine field of assumptions.

The biggest assumption of all being how one feels when watching comedies, romcoms and horror movies. The assumption being made here it seems, is that you feel good when you watch a comedy or romcom, and feel down and depressed when watching a horror. But the spectrum of human experience and emotion is nowhere near so narrow. People can feel depressed watching a 'happy' romcom; can feel miserable watching a comedy; or excited and thrilled when watching a horror. Whatever someone feels they need at the time of choosing what movie to drop into the disc tray generally dictates what type of movie they will watch.

Some may watch different films based on their enjoyment of the genre of their choice due to their preferences before ever becoming depressed, that is of course, if they are even depressed at all. Because what you're suggesting would lead one to assume that ALL people who prefer romcoms and comedies to horror and gore are depressed. When I think it's fairly obvious that isn't the case. Some people just don't like to be scared, some don't like the gore, or don't enjoy the mind games psychological horrors play on it's audiences. That's simply preference in entertainment, not a reliable indicator of mental state.

There are a multitude of reasons why certain people watch certain films, and I think it would be extremely hazardous indeed to assume you could guess one's mental state based on the flicks they choose to watch in their spare time.

The brutal bottom line, is that just because you feel that way doesn't mean other people do; that's a good life lesson all on it's own.

 

[xDarc]

Nope, I don't watch them mostly because they are dumber than a bag of hammers, perhaps you have just grown out of them?

Like people grow out of metal.

I thought about this, but I find myself craving a laugh or touch of joy. It's not that I don't find scary/campy horror entertaining any more. I just can't handle the dark side of things so well anymore. I come away feeling worse.

Yesterday, I cried at the last few minutes of Groundhog Day. When Billy Murray says ?No matter what happens tomorrow or for the rest of my life, I?m happy right now.? I got all misty. I've watched it many times and that's never happened before. It's definitely my emotional state causing me to avoid dark, bleak, scary and/or sad movies. So horror has been cut right out.

Say- what's this new movie, "The Mist." Why, I've never seen this before! A father and son team? Sounds uplifting! Think I'll go watch it right now... kidding.

 

[xDarc]

The brutal bottom line, is that just because you feel that way doesn't mean other people do; that's a good life lesson all on it's own.

Sure, good, well thought out post. I bring this up mostly because I have often wondered about people I have known who simply refuse to ever watch a horror movie without any real reason. I understand they don't have to tell me anything, but there's been times when I couldn't even sell someone on Shaun of the Dead; and I consider that more of a comedy! It's especially mind numbing when the same person will turn around and watch a movie with graphic violence because the protagonists are upbeat.

 

[baker80]

No offense to horror fans, but I think you're missing the option "They're just stupid" in there. I think most horror movies are simply plain crappy and not worth watching in the slightest, because they're neither interesting plot-wise nor actually scary.

 

[Raven's Nest]

People getting killed and terrified on the screen is a bit depressing, especially when you think of how it happens in real life. Some of them look eerily beautiful, though. I kind of want to see The Orphanage. I haven't gone out of my way to see it since I saw the trailer a few years back.

The Orphanage is a great film if you ever get round to watching it... Not exactly what I'd class as horror though, but it has much more in kin with how the Japanese or Koreans handle the horror genre anyway.

As for the OP. I suffer depression in cycles and I think it does influence the films I watch, but I've always avoided the horror genre because most of the horror films made in the last 10-15 years have been awful...

I tend to watch romantic, fantastical Studio Ghibli films to "aid" my depression, or at least transport me away from thinking about it for a while.

 

[tzimize]

Nope, I don't watch them mostly because they are dumber than a bag of hammers, perhaps you have just grown out of them?

Like people grow out of metal.

I cant tell if you are trolling or not. People dont grow out of metal. I'm bordering on 29 now, and there is not a single music genre that is even remotely close to making me feel the mental buzz metal can give me.

OT though: I know a bit what you mean OP. And I think -this- can have something to do with growing out of stuff. I demand more from my entertainment now than I did when I was young. Most specifically the story. Most horror is like most action movies...devoid of a good story. Sometimes its fun to sit down and just enjoy the ride, but if it gets too stupid it can ruin a whole movie. Real horror has to be subtle, and in this day and age of extreme gore...this has been forgotten.

That said, I dont really enjoy being scared I enjoy being entertained (as in: laugh, be wowed etc.). Horror is simply to stressful. There is enough stress in real life, dont need my entertainment to stress me as well :>

 

[xDarc]

As for the OP. I suffer depression in cycles and I think it does influence the films I watch, but I've always avoided the horror genre because most of the horror films made in the last 10-15 years have been awful...

They most certainly have. My collection of 80's cheese is vast though.

 

[Hoplon]

Nope, I don't watch them mostly because they are dumber than a bag of hammers, perhaps you have just grown out of them?

Like people grow out of metal.

I cant tell if you are trolling or not. People dont grow out of metal. I'm bordering on 29 now, and there is not a single music genre that is even remotely close to making me feel the mental buzz metal can give me.

OT though: I know a bit what you mean OP. And I think -this- can have something to do with growing out of stuff. I demand more from my entertainment now than I did when I was young. Most specifically the story. Most horror is like most action movies...devoid of a good story. Sometimes its fun to sit down and just enjoy the ride, but if it gets too stupid it can ruin a whole movie. Real horror has to be subtle, and in this day and age of extreme gore...this has been forgotten.

That said, I dont really enjoy being scared I enjoy being entertained (as in: laugh, be wowed etc.). Horror is simply to stressful. There is enough stress in real life, dont need my entertainment to stress me as well :>

Really not, Lot of people I knew as metal devotees as teenagers now have a few core bands they will still listen too, but their tastes have widened and they no longer are metal heads.

Your expanded point was pretty much what I meant, the emotional range is too narrow.

 

[sazzrah]

Sure, good, well thought out post. I bring this up mostly because I have often wondered about people I have known who simply refuse to ever watch a horror movie without any real reason.

Nobody does anything without a real reason, whether they are aware of it or not. It seems whatever reason these people you are referring to have, they either can't or won't tell you.

Most likely they aren't fully aware of why they don't like certain films. Not many people really sit and think about why Shaun of the Dead and the like doesn't appeal to them - most of us will simply feel an abhorrence and dismiss the film in question. Some of us get that feeling just from looking at the title of a film, the actors in it or even the box art!

I guess what you can do for yourself is reflect on why their unwillingness to watch genres you enjoy bothers you. Is it because you want to share your favourite movies with them and are irritated by their unwillingness? Or perhaps something else?

Worth thinking about.

 

[Ham_authority95]

I'd say it's got more to do with the ratio that people stop watching movies and get out of the house. That's certainly what I'd prescribe in your case.

Wow, I didn't see this response coming...

Get out of the house and do what exactly? Life is not a limitless adventure. You have obligations, bills, and a job.

Those things don't take up that much time. Weekends exist where you live, right? And you don't work 13 hours, right?

You could go to the local college and look for a cinema club of some sort. That way, you can forget about your depression by hanging out with like-minded people who like movies as much as you do.

If no such club exists, start one. There are tons of people looking for clubs like this when they go into secondary education. Hang up some fliers and you'd be surprised how many people show up...

Hell, you don't even need a college, just look around town.

 

[DasUberCow]

People getting killed and terrified on the screen is a bit depressing, especially when you think of how it happens in real life. Some of them look eerily beautiful, though. I kind of want to see The Orphanage. I haven't gone out of my way to see it since I saw the trailer a few years back.

I'm not depressed and I'd watch a horror movie if someone put one on, just to face it long enough to rationalise peace, like how I looked at that dead bird and and the massive bones at the butcher.

Should watch it man. Great movie.

To me horror movies can be entertaining, but usually, when the atmosphere doesn't feel right, it doesn't really resonate with me like a lot of non-horror movies do. Don't know why. Could be that the directors have the wrong focus or just that the genre doesn't lend itself to the right type of atmosphere. Even though it probably should.

 

[Crazy_Dude]

Go watch Alien and come tell me Horror movies dont have artistic merit.

Most people I know either cant stand the gore or cant take a scare.

 

[Bailoroc]

I think it's the lack of artistic merit. Horror, as we know it, has yet to have that one movie that helps to really define it as a genre with something that is recognizablly and obviously good to even the layperson; put another way, Horror has yet to have its own "Citizen Kane", if you will. Name almost any other genre of film and you will probably get a few titles that most people will say is the best in that genre because of a deeper message about life or something along those lines. Right now, the best most people can even sugggest is "Se7en" and that's more of a suspense thriller than a horror film. Basically, horror needs to make its own film that most people can agree is actually art if it wants to be taken seriously.