Summary

Stephen King begins “Why We Crave Horror Movies” by stating his belief that all people are mentally ill. He goes on to describe various strange behaviors that many people have, like hysterical fears or talking to themselves.

King states that people watch horror movies to show that they are not afraid, to get a sense of normality from the contrast between real life and the horrors shown in the movies, and to have fun. However, the fun we have watching horror movies is of an unusual type – it comes from seeing other people menaced and killed; King argues that horror movies have become a modern-day substitute for public lynchings.

King thinks horror movies provide psychic relief because they are a way for people to express their irrationality and madness ...