The world has been a stressful place lately. Between everything going on in the news and the stress of just existing as a human on the earth, there are a lot of reasons that one might need to find something to do to cope. Some people would recommend going to a spa or listening to some relaxing music. Some would suggest exercising or meditation. My unconventional solution has always been horror movies.

There is something about watching a stranger who just heard a growling noise outside of their cabin and decided to go alone into the darkness that just really distracts me from the horrors of the world. Watching a family get tormented by a poltergeist that refuses to leave the old haunted mansion that they all live in makes me think to myself, “Maybe it’s not so bad that the barista gave me soy milk instead of almond milk in my coffee.” I always thought I was the odd one out for feeling that way, but it turns out that there might be something to it.

Viewing horror movies regularly allows folks to experience fear and uncertainty in a controlled way while they are actually safe in their homes or snuggled up with a loved one at a movie theater. We know that there is a group of werewolves on the loose in the imaginary town on the screen, but werewolves are not real (probably), and we don’t actually have to worry about them once we turn off the television or walk out of the movie theater (probably). We get to decide when we have had enough of their howls and fear-inducing antics. We are in control.

Research suggests that engaging with horror may help people become more comfortable with fear and uncertainty, which could contribute to resilience in real life. To be blunt: I personally think that is neat. People often call me “extremely resilient,” and it’s interesting to consider that horror movies may have played a small role in shaping that. Who would have thought that the anxious feeling we get while watching protagonists battle through swarms of zombies in movies like Shaun of the Dead (pictured above) could potentially have long-term benefits for how we handle fear?

Horror movies have many benefits. They are entertaining, they distract us from the horrors of the world, and now we know that they might even be something that makes navigating the world (via resilience building) just a little bit easier.