If you’re new to the genre and looking to test your tolerance for fear, these tips will help make your journey into darkness pleasant.
The world of horror is truly unique and special. When you find someone who is a horror fan, there is a good chance that they just can’t get enough. There is so much this genre has to offer, and there are so many great pieces of work out there for people to enjoy. The adrenaline that horror can give you is a feeling that is quite unlike any other, which is what helps to make it so special.
If you are someone who has not experienced much horror but would like to, there is no better time to start than right now. There is a good chance that once you get into horror, you are going to find it hard to get out. However, this is a really good thing as there is so much up to offer.
So how do you start? How do you not get scared too quickly? There is definitely a tactical approach you can take to this. If you want some advice, then the guide listed below should definitely be of help to you.
Start Light
The term ‘horror’ can actually be quite vague and encompasses so many different types of media and a variety of content. For example, horror can include movies, shows, books, anime, video games, and even haunted attractions. And, of course, within that expansive landscape, there are so many sub-genres of horror — ranging from only mildly scary horror comedies to more atmospheric gothic thrillers to intensely terrifying and ultra-gory slashers.
If you are new to the genre and trying to dip your toes in, you can easily start off with the lighter fare. Plenty of films are classified as horror but contain little to no actual scares. A film can be deemed horror because of its subject matter (witches, vampires, zombies), its dark atmosphere, or the transgressive themes it explores.
In early cinema, films designed to elicit a visceral response and frighten or shock audiences were referred to as “fantastic”, “mythical and mysterious,” or even “magical”.
Even plenty of seasoned horror fans don’t like certain films they consider too scary. Some prefer more subtle shocks or psychological frights rather than buckets of blood and heart-stopping jump scares.
If you want to ease into horror, you almost can’t go wrong with a horror-comedy. Almost all of them are heavy on the laughs and light on the scares. While there may be traditional horror elements, these are often made to be so ridiculous and over-the-top that they will make you guffaw far more than you gasp. And while plenty of them are just plain bad, numerous genuine gems are beloved by horror and non-horror fans alike.
Be sure to do your homework and ask one of your horror-loving friends for recommendations. You want your first foray into the genre to be exciting and fun, not groan-inducing. So start with a classic you’re sure to love.
Don’t Be Afraid to Hide
Horror is designed to frighten you, so expect to be scared. However, as a beginner, you shouldn’t feel like you can’t be afraid. It’s not a sign of weakness. Plenty of hardcore horror fans will often cover their eyes ahead of a jumpscare or to deal with tension, so don’t be afraid to do the same. In fact, being scared is something most horror fans really crave, and we get a thrill when a film makes us jump out of our seats or bury ourselves in a blanket. It’s one of the reasons horror movies are so popular on date nights, as it gives us an excuse to jump into someone’s arms or nestle into their chest during the terrifying bits.
A bit of fright can be a huge adrenaline rush, and it is likely to make you feel exhilarated. So, let yourself scream and shriek, or simply cover your ears and eyes when it gets to be a bit too much. If you’re watching with a horror pro, ask them to warn you when something intense is about to happen if you are trying to avoid big scares. Think of it like riding a bike. You may have to start with training wheels, and there’s no shame in that. Eventually, you’ll be cruising carefree down horror lane.
If you’re watching alone and you’re finding it all a bit too overwhelming, don’t give up. While we would almost never encourage multi-tasking during a movie, it may help to half-watch those scariest flicks until you find your horror comfort zone. For example, playing at https://www.kingjohnnie.info/en/real-money-casino/ while a movie plays in the back could be a good option for beginners.
Watch With Friends
This is the best advice we could give a horror newbie. It is going to make the horror experience a lot easier when you watch movies with friends. This can often help to break up the tension, as well as just overall being more enjoyable. After all, if you are going to be scared, you might as well be scared while with friends, right?
If any of your friends are already interested in horror, then this is perfect for you. They can then recommend movies to watch with you based on your experience, and they know what you might be inclined to enjoy. Plus, most horror fans love being tour guides into the macabre world they know and love and will be thrilled to lead you on your adventure to discover the genre. They will know how to start you on the gentle trails and ease you up into the steeper and more chilling climbs. And they can make sure you only watch the best the genre has to offer so that a dud doesn’t discourage you from watching more.
And, if you get too scared, you don’t have to be alone in the dark with nothing but your overactive imagination keeping you company.
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