Am I the only one who feels horror movies are sadistic and should be banned?

Question

Ok, I'm not talking like thrillers, or scary movies that aren't really scary. I'm talking about the really sadistic, hardcore horror movies. Examples- saw, texas chain-saw massacre... I can't think of others at the moment. The kind where people puke in the cinema. I admittedly have never seen these movies. I don't want to and I can't understand why anyone would.

I can't understand the appeal in watching the immense suffering of other people, torture and the like. I just can't and never will. But the majority of the world like watching these sadistic movies and why is that? Do you think we all have a small sadistic side to us? I remember having an argument in maths class once with some emo- goth girl. She was talking some crap about how horror movies are the best when there's loads of blood and pain.She loves it. I said "Why? Do you enjoy watching others in pain?" and she told me something about how you can feel their pain and it feels so good. I'm like, what's wrong with you? The argument got so heated and she eventually realized I was right, and that essentially she's twisted. And she stormed out the class- meh, hormones. I mean isn't it twisted for people to ENJOY watching these things? I try to AVOID seeing those kind of things. What's more, think about the people who created these movies. What sick, twisted moron would make a movie like that? Please explain to me the appeal because I completely fail to see it.

Charlemagne · Accepted Answer

Let's have a bit of clarification here...The Texas Chainsaw Massacre DID NOT "happen in the 70s," as is reported by so many (and why, I don't know.) It was based on the case of Eddie Gein, who was a murderer, necrophiliac, and grave robber, and it happened in the early 50s. While the case of Gein is indeed a grisly one, to cite enjoyment of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre because it is an accurate depicion of a real crime is an argument that is, well, weak.

Let's look at why people watch gory movies to begin with---gore. They watch simply for the gore. People who watch movies on the leve of, say, Human Centipede 2 watch simply because they enjoy what is being depicted on the screen, and no more. They get off and seeing others in pain. They are so desensitized to what they see in movies that it has little meaning for them. Forget the fact that it long ago stopped being frightening; after all, if you've seen one girl's insides, you've seen them all. If you actually listen to their descriptions of such scenes, they usually don't have a tone of revulsion. Normally, they say something like, "And then her intestines spilled out, and she was still alive! It was AWESOME!"

It is true that everyone has something of a sadist in them, no matter how small. But consider this: the original Halloween movie (the 1978 one, not the trash that came after) was practically bloodless, with one small exception. And yet it was considered incredibly violent, and it was, because it built on a groundwork of tension and vulnerability, and shattered all of the illusions we had come to expect from a movie's characters, both good and bad. But by today's standards it is laughably tame, able to be showed on network TV without a spot of censorship in it.

Once moviemakers discovered how popular the genre could be, they exploited it in the easiest way they could---by skipping the hard-to-do stuff (like making a plot worth a crap) and amping up the violence. The more lax the censors became---which was a direct effect of the consuming public's growing demand---the more violent the movies became, until we got people like Eli Roth, who will apparently show anybody anything they want to see for thirty pieces of silver.

It is now the norm, whether we like it or not. And I don't. Do gory movies desensitize us? Yes. Do they make us think less of our fellow man? Yes. Do they blind us to the true horrors that we can inflict on each other? Yes. Do they cause us to be numb to suffering, to view our fellow humans as mere objects, to turn a blind eye to those in need and those who have lived through true horrors? Yes.

But do they CAUSE violence? You see, if you're a movie maker in search of millions, the trick is to ask the right question.

cheeky_starfish · Accepted Answer

I love this question because I actually feel exactly the same about war and action movies... Although I take your point with horror movies too. I specifically hate gun violence in films and I personally find it worse than horror films, simply because gun violence is something that happens in every day real life and is reported on so often... Especially in war struck countries.

I can not understand the fascination for people watching an action movie where lots of people get so graphically shot, when it's something that is happening around the world every day?! Similarly with war movies... Why would anyone want to sit and watch so many people getting so graphically and horrifically shot and killed when it's something that real people have actually experienced and still continue to experience today... Where many survivors of war suffer from the experience for the rest of their lives... How can anyone take pleasure in watching movies like that!?

It actually disgusts me the thought of people (especially young people like 15, 16 etc) being allowed to watch such graphic and horrific movies, which are based on real life every day events, and actually enjoy and take pleasure from watching these types of movies... And come away from it without any ill effect on them emotionally. It should be seen as horrific by anyone's standards and not something people 'want' to watch. The concept of people being 'de-sensitized' to such graphic and horrific violence is just wrong to me... It should be shocking and disgusting to people both as viewing and in reality!

We are in the minority and think much deeper about what we are watching than the average person... We can see the reality in what we are watching and therefore not take pleasure in it like so many do...

All we can do as individuals is not watch these sorts of things ourselves and discourage the people around us from watching them too.

arnitak17 · Accepted Answer

I personally love horror movies. Psychopaths, vampires, zombies, maniacs, monsters, blood and gore, you name it. But I also love movies in general, not just the horror genre. I actually often ask myself why I am so hooked with these kinds of movies. It's not like I'm a sadistic person, nor am I mentally or socially ill. I'm just a weird kid who likes weird things. It's not like when I see real blood in real life I get excited and all that, or when I see real violence on the news I get really hyped up. I don't really know how to psychoanalyze myself and honestly, I don't want to. I don't wanna make a big deal out of it; they're just movies for crying out loud! I like those horrifying things in movies and stories and anything fiction, but I despise them in real life, and who doesn't? Yes, I like the feeling of being horrified out of my wits when watching horror movies. Horror movies are meant to horrify, that's what they're made for. If they did not horrify then they fail their purpose. Maybe I'm just challenging myself. Yes, most horror movies depict so much violence that people question the morality of those who make it and those who watch it. But I tell you what, it's not the filmmaker's responsibility to tell the audience how to feel and react to such scenes and images. Their duty is to scare/horrify/gross the audience out, but it's up to the audience how they'll react to it. The normal reaction is to be scared/horrified/grossed out, and that's how I feel when I watch these movies. These movies just show us what EVIL is, and evil can come in many shapes and sizes. Evil can come as monsters; evil can come as your next door neighbor. But it doesn't mean that if you watch these films, you are evil, unless you recreate the violence in them. I think it's actually rude and offensive to associate watching horror films to being an evil/sadistic person. If you come across with scientific evidence that criminals were once horror movie fans, maybe I'll think twice. For now, let's just not judge and stereotype please.

lulugreggory · Accepted Answer

I don't think horror movies are bad in any way. I enjoy them a lot and they make me laugh, purely because they are so not scary and ridiculous. The only film I have ever winced at was "I spit on your grave" and that's because the beginning of the film is basically a girl getting gang raped and tbh, you'd have to be pretty hard faced to watch that and be okay with watching that. But the rest of the film is fine. I don't enjoy watching people being tortured, I just like the stories that are involved and in the real world people die, in some pretty horrific ways, and so that has to happen in movies too. And I don't think it desensitizes people either. I think if you grow up surrounded by those things then yeah, it will, but if your of age to watch these things I don't see how it could. I watch a lot of horror movies and I'm the least violent person I know. Also, I think horror movies are a good display of human instinct. In a lot of these films people are fighting for survival in anyway possible even if it means they suffer and despite the fact the they're in pain it is human instinct to want to survive regardless. It sort of gives you someone to root for even though you know the outcome is usually that they die anyway. It's not about the thought of others being tortured or in pain that draws people in to watch the movie, it's the story and sometimes the people in it. Me, I'm on the look out for a film to scare me and I've yet to find one that does that yet. But if you don't like, don't watch.

XRabbitHeartX · Accepted Answer

I agree with you. Just the other day my boyfriend told me that he felt sick cause he watched a horror movie where literally a third of the move was how guys  gang raped a girl. And it was not a p*rn movie. It was a horror movie. I myself have seen a few horrors myself and every time I just end up feeling sick. What happens in horror movies are things that happen in every day life. It's easy to say it's just entertainment when you see a girl being raped or suffering but I bet if someone had to do that to you or your sister or mother it wouldn't be so funny and entertaining anymore. It's all about empathy. Some people just  don't have the ability to realize that those things happen in real life and could happen to you or to someone you love. Watching something being killed brutally or tortured won't be so funny when you see it real life either. Whether the people are actors or not. It happens in real life just like that. So what's the difference. But again it's pointless trying to explain this as some people really just don't have the ability to emphasize and that's how they are wired together. But in a perfect world for me, yes those movies will be banned. We have enough disturbing, sick and cruel things going on in this world.

Anonymous · Answer

i didn't think texas chainsaw massacre was even remotely scary or gruesome. I've been watching horror movies forever and they are my favorite genre of film. its not that people enjoy watching to view others in pain its the thrill factor and you feel like you are in the situation yourself not the other person. I genuinely feel for the person and some movies do scare me. while others can handle the human centipede I did enjoy the movie have seen it several times. I watched the 2nd one and almost threw up..it was horrifying.. I told everyone I know not to watch it! but that is the only one I have ever seen that I couldn't stomach but I did watch the entire thing! lol. its all about choices and while you may chose not to watch it why have it banned so others can't see something they do like. I don't think there is anything wrong with the girl its not like she can control what she enjoys? I doubt she will torture people..maybe bondage in bed and maybe she will do suspension with hooks in her back, but its her preference. :)

MooneyBravo · Answer

I'm with you brother!

It has been my experience that it's primarily younger people who get into Goth. They do it primarily because they have other unresolved issues in their lives. They usually grow out of it sometime in their 20's.

I tried smoking pot for awhile when I was in my 20's. Afterward, I would watch horror movies like you were describing. When I saw the movie Halloween for the 1st time back in the 80's, I went to bed sleeping with my Bible. LOL

When I got up the next morning, I vowed to never, ever watch a horror movie again! Should killing really be considered healthy entertainment? I mean, if someone tries to kill you, I doubt whether you would find satisfaction in that. We've become desensitized to what has become the norm. There's absolutely nothing good about death or anyone being harmed in any way. It's all evil, only of this fallen world, temporary and all part (I believe) of God's plan to eradicate it forever.

EntropicDecay · Answer

I have no pleasure in watching someone suffer, be it movie or real life. I once watched a gory movie, and the whole thing felt like a grotesque comedy. It was all blood and gore (not exactly unexpected though), and it killed every ounce of thrills I could have had.

I love watching thrillers and nerve wracking movies, but large amounts of blood/gore/sadism kill any kind of dread the movie attempts to convey.

I do believe the restriction ages should be strictly respected though. I've seen three years old watching zombie-like movies, and that's not normal. We don't know how people would act when they've been confronted with violence/sadism in movies when they were younger. As MooneyBravo said, we're getting used to violence, and I think it's wrong.

Now, some people enjoy those movies (otherwise they wouldn't be half as many produced), and it would probably be unfair to ban all of them. Restrict them, at least, but it's already done in theaters anyways ^^

Amelie88 · Answer

I agree with you a hundred and ten percent. Unfortunately, the world is not programmed to give minorities a say. What I mean by this is, majority overrules minority and the majority of the population are the ones amused by gruesome films of which you have described. Although the solution may not be the banning of such movies, your solution can very well be not to watch them and while you're at it, encourage others to do the same.

DebiPie · Answer

I hate hate hate them. Can't even watch the trailers for them. But I don't believe in censorship in the arts...Not that I think horror flicks can really be called "art"...But I digress.

That said, I do wish that people would use GOOD COMMON SENSE about them. Meaning, stop letting children watch them! Seriously, do you know how much damage this does to them? Granted, it brings me TONS of work, but the nightmares and fear it creates in them is just senseless. I do not care nor do I buy into the crap about "but they love it!" BS! They love to eat 4 PB&Js & then ride the spin & puke too. But we don't let them, do we?

Ban them? No.

Anonymous · Answer

People have the right to watch a horror movie if they want to. Just because you feel that it is sadistic or gross doesn't mean that it should be banned for the whole lot. It is not real and it is fake. Fake masks, fake blood, fake deaths. Should romance movies be banned because some people think that it is fake or a way for a guy to get into a girls pants if he uses the same methods of those that are used in the movies? Just because you don't like it doesn't mean you can dictate to those who do that they can't watch it. This isn't a communist country

stilllearning_007 · Answer

Frankly I see your point, sadistic movies are disgusting. I've tried to see them, in fact I have seen a couple of gory films, and they always leave you with a sense dread, hopelessness really. I really hate them, but what I hate most is that sometimes I get drawn in, by my own curiosity or an interesting image still used promote the movie, to watch a stinking clip on YouTube. Then, I regret it. Sad to say but there is a part of us that is drawn to violence and gore. Doesn't mean you have to give in to it. Just avoid that type of "entertainment" as much as possible cause it's not good for you at all. It's created by sick people for sick people. Next time you go to the movies with your friends, make sure you know what you are going to watch. Don't get pressured by your friends to watch something you don't want to watch. Suggest something else, something you knew your friends well like, comedy usually does the trick or action films or a movie that has both. Then stick to your choice.

Orion · Answer

You're probably not the only one but it's a free country and you;re perfectly welcome not to watch them. You can't infringe on someone else's enjoyment if it's not and illegal act and there's nothing about a movie full of fantasy violence that gives anyone the right to demand it be banned. People like being shocked, excited, surprised and scared by these movies, this is the entertainment they derive from it not the base level violence but the emotions that seeing the stories stir within them. There may be a few sick individuals that are confused by the messages in these movies but the same can be said of videogames, sports and most especially religion, would you band all of those too for a few idiots?

tex151 · Answer

I personally don't like the new horror movies, I think they are stupid not scary, and just plain crap, I like a scary movie that has a ghost or something in it, a suspenseful movie, however in the new horror movies everyone is acting, just like in any other movies, plus the movies are rated and you have to be a certain age to see an R rated movie in the theater.  If people didn't like these type of movies they wouldn't make them anymore.

Anonymous · Answer

Some movies really take it too far. I think that in a lot of way horror movies are even worse than some p*rnography. Yet parents allow their children to watch them.

I definitely won't miss them if they are banned but I don't think that will happen.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm not a fan of banning things. There's a great difference between committing the crimes and enjoying them from a safe distance. I'd rather have people enjoying them from a safe distance than trying to test them out by committing them. Most people realize the difference and it's not a real fear that they commit the crimes. That's the best we can ask for, with how varied our society is.

Kgreen38 · Answer

First off, many people watch horror movies to escape the realities of life. It is a way to feel dread without actually going through it. Put it this way, horror movies make us face our fears or die trying. It's not to say some people get off on killings of others by these movies. They're known as psychopaths who needs help. But for the rest of us who enjoys movies of these types, it makes you appreciate life more because it could be taken any day. If you're a novice don't start off with extremely gory movies. Start with pg-13 and move your way up to a comfort level of horror without insulting your senses.

dhvibe · Answer

Not all men enjoy horror films. I personally think they are on a creative level with pornography. Psychological studies have found that people (mostly men) seem to gain a kind of adrenaline rush from them, and that they are of a type of person who needs increasing levels of the thrill they get from watching them to enjoy the experience. The same can be loosely equated with pornography addiction. Sufferers of that condition often complain of having trouble staying arroused, and in men have more erectile dysfunction than in men that do not use pornography as a regular part of their sex life.

Robotic · Answer

Ummm... no sorry. like the others say if you don't like it don't watch it. banning things will just make people unhappy. So what you want to have people who simply watch these things to get arrested? Just don't watch them and let the people who want to do so. everyones happy

SoberIrishman · Answer

No, they should not. I love horror movies. They make me laugh and make my day better when watching them. Does that mae me sadistic? Probably. Do I care? Not in the least. Actually a lot of horror movies are based off truth. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre actually happened back in the 70's in Texas. Horror movies are awesome, just because you dislike them doesn't mean you should ruin others' entertainment.

lacesout · Answer

NOPE.   dont like it don't watch it. i just watched a movie with an exploding baby. i loved it...others in my family were upset. then again it was a satire..a great gorry satire of a movie.

tomfeltonforever · Answer

This is stupid. If you don't like the movie, don't watch it.

I really really hate asparagus, but other people like it. Just because me and some other people don't think it's a good thing doesn't mean we can ban asparagus. I can't fathom why they would like such a thing, but they do, so they can have it.

CuteyBoo · Answer

nooooo!

if you don't want to watch something then don't watch it

theres no need to ban things. I love scary movies. they are not real silly.

im not watching immense suffring or anything. its fake blood and fx.

epiman94 · Answer

Violence in our media scares me. Horror movies, violent video games. It's dangerously normalizing abnormal behavior.

ihatework · Answer

'But the majority of the world like watching these sadistic movies'- so you would choose to ban things that the majority of people (even by your admission) have no real problems with, sounds reasonable to me    -__-

Am I the only one who feels horror movies are sadistic and should be banned?

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