by Starbuck21

Created on: May 24, 2008

Don't be so quick to judge someone who likes scary movies.

The horror genre is simply too rich and too diverse to attract just one type of person. So many different kinds of film qualify as scary movies. Here are just a few examples: zombie pics, gore porn (such as Saw and Hostel), campy Vincent Price classics, thrillers, monster movies, haunted house films, intelligent thought-provoking masterpieces, and cheesy sequels.

Before you judge the fans, look at the some of the specific scary movies that they like. For instance, if they like comedy horror like Evil Dead 2 or Shaun of the Dead, then it's safe to say that they've got a good sense of humor. Enthusiasts of more intellectual horror films such as The Shining or the 1963 version of The Haunting are most likely intellectuals themselves. On the other hand, people who pay to see stuff like Freddy vs. Jason or Scream 3 enjoy schlock sequels and are probably lazy, as they haven't bothered to expand their taste in film. And this is just the beginning; we haven't covered those who like foreign horror, fantasy horror, David Lynch films (which are in a class of their own), classic horror or horror remakes.

You will find horror fans all over the world. With a rich and varied genre, comes a rich and varied fan base that spans different generations and cultures. They don't fit the stereotype of the overly hormonal teenage boy or creepy neighbor. They're in your town, your office, and your family. That man (or woman) passing by you could have very well just come from a midnight viewing of The Exorcist or Donnie Darko. Like a zombie holocaust, you can't escape them. And furthermore, you can't pigeonhole them.

In the end however, you can also say that scary movie junkies share a few important traits: they love a good adrenaline rush in a safe environment (instead of diving out of a plane or jumping off a bridge attached to a bungee cord). They love the macabre, and they actually want to know more about those things that go bump in the night. They are drawn to the unanswered (there's nothing more disappointing than a horror film that gives you all the answers at the end). They don't mind hearing about your nightmares or even sharing theirs.

In the meantime, why don't you put on Michael Jackson's Thriller, and add some scary movies to your Netflix queue? It's cheaper than mountain climbing.

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