The Healing Power of the Horror Genre

This past weekend, while my nephew was visiting, I was chasing him around the house like I often do, until he picked up one of the decorative crosses my parents keep around the house and held it up to my face. I immediately burst out laughing at this three-year-old, who had no idea the symbolism of what he was doing, nor was he aware of the tropes within religious horror that often utilize this method of protection. But his pastor aunt got a kick out of it.

When The Exorcist first came out in 1973, some theaters had ambulances stationed outside due to the distress caused to some movie-goers. But The Exorcist was not the first horror film with religious themes, and the subgenre has maintained popularity to this day, as evidenced by The Conjuring series, and films like The Witch and Hereditary. Horror films have covered many of our collective fears for over a century, and the themes are often shaped by our cultural influences. Ever notice how many horror films in the 1950s were about alien invasions? It is safe to assume these films mirrored the Cold War fears of an ideological invasion. The social movements of the 1970s tapped into fears about the corruption of youth, particularly young girls in films such as Carrie, and of course, The Exorcist. And today’s horror has delved into themes of generational trauma, psychological distress, and the advancements of AI.

“Why is Pastor Brooke writing about horror films in the Midweek Message?” I’m glad you asked. It happens to be my absolute favorite film genre. You can often find me at a matinee showing of the latest horror movie, or staying up late on my couch with one of the classics if I can’t sleep. You might be wondering why on earth I would willingly subject myself to such stories. The truth is, I learn a lot about myself from watching horror films, as well as how I exist within and among the collective fears of the surrounding world.

As someone who lives with depression and PTSD, it might seem counterproductive to subject myself to the genre of horror, but in reality, what it offers me is a chance to explore fear in a controlled space, something I so often lack. Many experts in the genre have spoken to the power that controlled fear offers to those who have experienced trauma, and the agency it grants to approach fear on one’s own terms. During the pandemic, I went through prolonged exposure therapy, which is essentially the process of exposing oneself to fearful situations until it no longer holds power over you. I had not realized this was something I had been doing for many years in my exploration of horror films. In other ways, horror has helped me confront painful memories that I didn’t know needed my attention, and their capacity to evoke trauma responses.

While the horror genre is a great love of mine, it goes without saying that horror films are not for everyone. In that same spirit, our avoidance of them can also be a practice in establishing boundaries for what it is we are willing to take in on a given day. But for this pastor, you can bet I’ve always got a scary movie in my queue and look forward to learning more about myself in the aftermath.