The “Uncomfortables”
Finding My Limit with Horror
As a horror fan, I am always on the lookout for that next “high” — the next movie, or story, or short film–that will bring something new to the table and really test my boundaries.
Having limits and boundaries is generally considered to be healthy; after all, they are one part of our larger instinctive systems that keep us alive. However, I also believe that it is healthy to test these boundaries every once in a while in order to avoid the dreaded “comfort zone.” And what better way to push these boundaries and test these limits than through the medium of horror?
Horror is a safe outlet through which we can experience the catharsis of releasing dark emotions, thoughts, and anxieties. We can cheer for the killer, marvel at the special effects, and appreciate the story while remaining detached from the immediate threat of danger.
Being scared from a horror movie is actually quite a fun experience. I liken it to my experience going through a haunted house; the actors bang a door or get in my face, and I scream, immediately followed by a fit of laughter. It is a release that we all need from time to time, but it can also become overworked.
And that’s when we need to watch what we experiment with next.
The survival mechanism in our brain responsible for fear is just like any other muscle; if you expose it to the same exercise too many times, it eventually adapts and that exercise is no longer effective.
I have been watching horror movies since I was very young and with that experience, I have noticed that I now have a very hard time being genuinely “scared.” Sure, I still yelp at the odd jump scare, but I identify that as more of a startle response than a true scare.
In an environment where my horror “line” is always being pushed back, I am always in search of that one thing that will help me identify said line and keep my muscle in shape.
Enter the subgenre I refer to as: the “Uncomfortables.”
What happens when horror becomes a little too real?
You see a movie like Terrifier; it has extreme gore, a sadistic, demonic killer, and moments of genuine horror. However, deep down, you know that it is highly unlikely that a killer mime clown will stalk you on Halloween night, rip off all of your clothes, hang you upside down, and saw you in half from crotch to mouth.
Now let’s look at a movie like the Poughkeepsie Tapes. While the exact story is fictional, you unfortunately cannot deny the truth that a man could, in fact, murder multiple (mostly female) victims, and enslave and sexually assault a young woman for years without anyone catching him. Stories with these same elements have been the subject matter of numerous true crime documentaries, books, and newspaper articles over the years. Its plot is practically ripped straight from the headlines and, as a woman viewing this film for the first time, I recall feeling deeply disturbed with each passing moment.
While being scared from horror is fun, being disturbed is a completely different experience. A genuine scare hits the primal part of our brains that tell us to live at all costs. It is automatic, often uncontrollable, and a great indicator of how highly we value ourselves and others. Being disturbed, on the other hand, activates a more nuanced part of our minds that controls our morality. It tells us what we understand to be acceptable versus unacceptable behavior in the context of our society. When I am scared, my breath quickens and my heart beats out of my chest. When I am disturbed, my stomach ties into knots and I feel like I need to be alone to process my thoughts.
In my search to test my limits, I have instead found an uninvited test of my own principles in the subjective battle of good and evil. These “Uncomfortables,” as I have dubbed them, represent an experimental area of horror filmmaking that, while I am sure comes with its own unique brand of catharsis for some, goes beyond the boundary of what I personally consider to be entertainment.
I watch horror, much like any other genre of film, to be entertained. I want to escape from the real world and be transported to another world altogether. While the horror genre pulls from real-world anxieties, there is typically an air of creative license that keeps it rooted in fiction. The “Uncomfortables” throw that formula out the window and create worlds much like the one that exists outside our doors. Instead of being entertained, I find myself unsettled, distressed, and filled with more anxiety than I had at the start of the films.
That being said, I don’t fault these films for existing as they do; in fact, I applaud the efforts of their creators to capture a story that allows me to assess my moral barometer. Knowing that something can still hit me hard after all this time both impresses and relieves me (at least I can still feel something–I’m not too far gone!). I also do not regret my decision to test my limits by exposing myself to these films. I feel that this experiment is necessary in order to prevent fandom fatigue and allow me to learn a little bit more about myself.
I just know now that my desire to be entertained outweighs my desire to push my boundaries. Does this mean I will never push those boundaries again? Probably not. Horror fans are notoriously gluttons for punishment, and I am no different. However, you can bet that I will have a light-hearted comedy lined up afterwards (maybe followed by a good shower to wash away the ick)!
What about you? Have you identified your limit when it comes to horror? Sound off in the comments section below. I would love to hear your stories and thoughts!
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