Fear not

Horror movies build community and emotional resilience. People who have watched many horror movies reported less psychological distress in response to COVID-19 lockdowns than those who avoid them. Why is that? Analysing the rise of horror throughout history, Mathias Clasen, the director of the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University, reveals that scary movies are big business. But, far from just trashy entertainment, watching them has also surprisingly wholesome effects.