Why do we like watching people die in movies?

Question

Especially in horror movies!
Sometimes I think it is really messed up because you are human too. To get the thrill just to watch someone die is kind of creepy even though it is all make believe.

Answer 1

Probably because we know that these people are paid actors and that they will get up once the director says cut. Personally, I do not care to watch horror movies.

Answer 2

I turn my head in disgust even when I see some trailer for a horror flick on TV. It has been psychologically proven that watching extreme violence over and over again, even if it is just make believe, causes de-sensitization of your emotions, and people can become more aggressive, less compassionate, and more prone to anxiety. I mean, its a free country, and people can watch almost anything they want to, I don't care, but for me, I find it sickening to watch any living thing get involved with an extremely violent act or torture, or death. I agree with you, it is messed up.
I assume you're talking about violent death, and not death caused by natural causes or whatnot.

Answer 3

Well it all depends on the movie. If it's a horror movie you can pretty much expect people to die. Thats what happens in those kinds of movies. But, if its a drama and someone dies I don't really like it. It adds to the sadness and the drama of the movie but we don't have to like it.

Answer 4

I think part of it is that as a society we don't talk about death we ignore it in real life until it bites us in the butt. I heard someone say once that death is part of living and why not plan for it like we do an anniversary or a birthday. In the movies death isn't this taboo thing that we don't talk about. It's right there out in the open. I don't know why they need to be gory about it but it's kind of like sex.. it sells.

Answer 5

Because I'm tried of watching them die in the streets. It's a from of release, screaming at the screen telling the actors watch out.

Answer 6

Tiefland by way of Leni Riefenstahl Dao The Blade - can not discover those everywhere :( of those I observed i'm death to discover Plump Fiction, the unique version, there are in easy terms video clips dubbed in Spanish around BQ: Pulp Fiction

Answer 7

Because that's part of the plot line when innocent victims are killed in ghastly ways. Only a few are written to remain alive as heroes to save the day. Even novels are written that way too.

Answer 8

It probably the thrill of the chase like before they die that gets your endorphins all kicked up and then to watch them die that slowly painful death or a rapid fast death it mesmerizes us in such a way that it's almost like we have to watch. Kinda messed up. yeah.
I bet you can research it and get more info!

Answer 9

Death, violence etc are pleasurable to watch in films because it is perfectly natural for every animal (including us!) to have some violent or killer instincts. Pretended violence gives us a safe outlet for these feelings without any danger to ourselves or others. It also gives us pleasure in the form of a selfish feeling of relief that it was him/her not us!

I find that the more "desensitized" I am to film gore/death/violence (and I watch the MOST extreme films available to the general public) the more abhorrent I find even the slightest real violence etc.

Answer 10

Who is this "We" person you mentioned.

I always close my eyes...

therefore for a "horror" movie to be considered watchable for me, it would have to have a story line and a good plot.

Like 13 ghosts or fallen.

I hate slasher movies... They are useless acts of violence that you allow to creep into the catacombs of your psyche to do damage later on.

Now all of the potentiality of Fallen... That is frightening!