Beyond Jump Scares: Our Fascination with Fear
Words by Charlotte Whitehill
The Norman Rea Gallery’s current exhibition, ‘Adrenaline Junkie’, challenges the stigma surrounding horror as a gratuitous genre, instead spotlighting its deep cultural, political, and sociological significance. By examining society’s complex relationship with discomfort and fascination with the monstrous, the exhibition offers a space to reflect on societal fears, phobias, and shared experiences. Drawing inspiration from iconic horror films, other exhibitions, and critical theory, it seeks to reclaim horror as a profound introspection and empowerment genre.
This exhibition has inspired me to explore why horror captivates us across many art forms. Whether it’s the adrenaline-fueled thrills of a horror movie, the unsettling imagery in paintings, or the eerie narratives of literature. Our fascination with fear is both universal and deeply psychological.
Norman Rea Gallery, ‘Adrenaline Junkie’ Exhibition Poster, 2025.
Horror’s fascination lies in its ability to evoke tension, foster relevance, and provide unrealism. The tension grips us with suspense and fear, while relevance taps into fears like death, creating a personal connection. Unrealism offers a psychological buffer, allowing us to experience fear safely. This blend explains why we embrace graphic horror films yet avoid similar real-life imagery, making horror a unique space to confront fears and access thrills through creative expression.
As someone who is scared of many things, I must admit - I love horror! This exhibition got me thinking: Why are so many people, including myself, drawn to a genre designed to terrify us?
Looking at the psychology behind the genre and how part of the appeal lies in the sense of control we maintain as viewers of art, movies, music and performances. The fictional nature of horror can allow us to psychologically distance ourselves from what we are observing. Knowing that “it’s not real” enables us to create a safe space, fully immersing ourselves in these frightening scenarios without any genuine risk. The balance of fear and comfort is potentially what keeps the majority of us horror-lovers coming back for more. Psychologist Christopher Dwyer comments on this “safety net” factor of horror entertainment. Whether it is a haunted house or a video game, our brain can assess that we are not in any real danger, enabling us to enjoy controlled fear and suspense. Horror captivates us through the thrill of surviving a scary scene, which fills the brain with feel-good chemicals and leaves us eager to relive the experience. Beyond the adrenaline rush, exhilaration, and satisfaction, horror fascinates us through various media.
Horror and art have always walked hand-in-hand together. Art is a powerful medium for exploring humanity’s deepest fears, from terrors to anxieties. Francisco Goya’s ‘Saturn Devouring His Son’ is a prominent example of horror in historical art. The grotesque image is both horrifying and memorable, tapping into the primal fears of cannibalistic destruction and violence. Painted during Goya’s ‘Black Paintings’ period, it reflects the disillusionment with humanity and the chaotic atmosphere of his time. The nightmarish quality disturbs viewers and forces them to confront the darker aspects of human nature. There can be various reasons why people stop and look at this painting more so than others. The majority are shocked at its horrifying and disturbing nature but can’t seem to pull themselves away from its intensity. Others become fascinated by the story and meaning behind it and how a static image can enforce so many emotions and conversations.
Francisco de Goya, ‘Saturn Devouring His Son’, 1819-23.
What makes horror in visual art so impactful is its intense ability to linger in ambiguity. The uncanny valley, the psychological discomfort we feel when something borders on human and non-human, is a frequent and popular tool in horror art. Its eerie sensation provokes a sense of unease that captivates us as much as it repels. Using art to present the strange and the grotesque creates a space where viewers can safely confront their fears, experiencing the thrill of discomfort and fascination all at once.
Visual horror unsettles us through grotesque imagery, whereas music uses a similar powerful ability to control our emotions, heightening fear through sound alone and making the hairs on our arms stand up. Horror in music taps into our instincts, using sound to evoke fear and unease without the need for visual cues. Composers rely on clashing notes that sound unnatural to the ear; this dissonance creates tension alongside eerie silences and unsettling soundscapes. Popular techniques like irregular time signatures and trembling chords heighten the building suspense. One significant example of this is Jaws, an iconic horror movie that has shaped pop culture since its release - and sparked my deep fear of sharks and the ocean. From its terrifying narrative to its legendary soundtrack, the film is truly one of a kind. The simple, repetitive musical score mimics the lurking predator, effectively building the tension as the tempo and volume increase, mirroring the shark’s approach. The suspenseful composition makes the music feel like an addition to the threat, keeping us on edge and anticipating the danger that we know is inevitable.
1975 Jaws Movie Poster.
Like visual art, these auditory elements trigger a physiological response, mimicking the body’s reaction to danger by increasing heart rate and adrenaline. Horror and the manipulative way composers craft their music can pair familiar and happy sounds like pianos and children’s voices with discordance to become sinister. By controlling harmony and subverting listeners’ expectations, horror music offers a thrilling, controlled experience of fear, allowing audiences to engage with their discomfort while still enjoying the rush.
The original way to immerse ourselves into the horror genre was through the slow, suspenseful literature journey, where fear unfolded with each page turn. The writer’s pacing amplifies their careful build-up of tension through subtle details. Using foreshadowing, authors can plant seeds of dread and suspicion in us, the readers, creating moments of realisation. The atmosphere becomes an unseen character, enveloping readers in eerie settings that feel tangibly threatening. Shirley Jackson’s incredible ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ demonstrates this, with chilling descriptions of the house as a living entity that warps our reality and perception, leaving readers afraid and unsettled - and, like Joey from Friends, making me want to put the book in the freezer! Horror in literature is so captivating because of its ability to let our imaginations run wild through the gradual revealing of the narrative. The unease continuously developed through the stories keeps all of us readers coming back to read more and more. We want that thrill of fear.
Shirley Jackson, ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, 1959.
This exploration of horror’s captivating appeal reveals its power to balance fear and our safety. From unsettling visual art and chilling musical scores to eerie narratives in literature and film, the horror genre invites us to confront the unknown, transforming our discomfort into fascination. This allows us to engage with fear on our terms and foster a sense of exhilaration and curiosity. Horror is far from merely a genre of terror; it has become a lens through which we can reflect on our deepest anxieties and fears. The exhibition ‘Adrenaline Junkie’ embodies this complexity through the diverse works on display, offering visitors a chance to experience horror as a profound form of creative expression. This exhibition is open from Wednesday, 5th February to Friday, 21st February. I highly encourage you to visit it as it has a far more significant and deep meaning than simply horror!
