Why Horror?

Why Horror? is a compelling 2014 Canadian documentary about the psychology of horror cinema, theatre, video games, and comics. The film features interviews with a slew of directors, writers, fans, pundits, and scholars all linked to the world of horror. Directed by Nicolas Kleiman and Rob Lindsay, the movie stars notable figures in the horror genre such as Alexandre Aja, Chris Alexander, and Dave Alexander. It’s a unique look at the intriguing fascination that humanity has with the grotesque, shocking, and frightening parts of life.

The film is centered around Tal Zimerman, who is on a journey to understand why people are so attracted to things that are designed to scare them, and why he himself is drawn to the horror genre. It's part documentary and part exploration, as Tal's journey begins with a look at his own life, as a proper context for his deep-seated love for horror.

The documentary delves into the cause of our attractions to the absolute worst things that could possibly happen. It analyses how horror plays on our deepest and most primal fears and why some people are more inclined to enjoy horror experiences more than others. It looks into the psychological, historic, cultural and societal aspects of horror and broadly delves into the nature of fear itself, taking us on a global journey to understand what makes things seem scary, and why one may seek these experiences out.

Throughout the film, Tal takes us on a fascinating examination of cultural difference toward horror. The journey takes him from Canada to Japan, the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Each of these stops in different parts of the globe allows Why Horror? to discuss the ways in which different cultures interpret and showcase violence and horror, thereby giving the audience a global understanding of the genre.

This documentary is not all about scares though. There are plenty of humor and tongue-in-cheek moments sprinkled throughout the narrative making the film an enjoyable watch. Interviewees include renowned names in horror cinema such as Alexandre Aja, noted director of High Tension, and The Hills Have Eyes. Moreover, the creators were able to rope in a legendary curator of horror journalism, Chris Alexander, the former editor-in-chief of Fangoria, a magazine specifically dedicated to horror cinema. Dave Alexander, who has also served as editor-in-chief of Rue Morgue, another long-standing horror publication, provides additional reflections on the genre.

In the process of revealing the high brow aspects of horror, Why Horror? also celebrates what’s low brow, thrilling and downright fun about the genre. It debunks some of the critics' notions of horror being a lower form of storytelling. Instead, it suggests that such media can act as a reflection of the darkest parts of our human nature, all while allowing us to safely experience our fears from a secure distance.

The film also tries to answer if the attraction to horror is a sort of learning and preparedness practice as some theorists propose, or if it's more about the adrenaline-fueled thrill produced by fear, or even if it stems from the taboo, rebellious nature that horror maintains in the realm of art.

Why Horror? takes an intimate, eye-opening, and often times hilarious journey through our cultural appetite for gore, dread, and terror, providing comprehensive insight into the psychology of fear. Whether you are a horror devotee or someone interested in the psychology behind art and culture, this documentary breaks down the walls of viewer interpretation, revealing a deeper level of connection with the themes we find the most daunting.