Using recreational fear to overcome anxiety


By AGENCY

Photo: 123rf.com

Horror movies and series are among the most popular content on streaming platforms. They constitute a form of “recreational horror” or “recreational fear”, similar to experiences sought out by thrill-seekers, and they can help us find the courage to face everyday life.

While there’s an inclination to banish our fears – or at least chase them away – in our everyday lives, when it comes to getting a little tingle in front of our TV set, we don’t tend to mind. The popular appeal of such sensations is reflected in streaming platforms’ ratings. For instance, on Netflix, the horror series Stranger Things has surpassed one billion hours of viewing.

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