About horror

"The horror... The horror..."
- Walter E. Kurtz

Hello there people!

For some time now, the genre of horror has fascinated me. Actually so much so that at the moment, I value it more than any other genre.
You might wonder why. After all horror is represented by crappy sequels with incomprehensible plots where gallons of blood and entrails splatter for no good reason.
Well that's horror, but more in a "THIS IS SO BAD! OH THE HORROR!" -kind of way.

But let's forget all that now, for the moment.

The reason I value horror (both movies and games, not having much experience with horror books) is that it must achieve something difficult to be considered a part of the genre and by default should delve deep into human psyche and engage us both mentally and emotionally.

For horror to be horror, it must terrify us. Like for comedy to be comedic, it must make us laugh. Simple, though not all genres are defined by reactions. These two are more than others.
For example: Action/romantic film is a action/romantic film even if no one is watching. Because it has action/romance in it. But there is no horror on-screen. Murdering and eery shadow movement perhaps, but no horror. Because we give birth to horror. We are the fire, the film/game is merely a spark that ignites it.

What however distinguishes horror from comedy (besides the obvious differences) is that with horror the interaction is even more critical. Because good horror relies on the imagination of the spectator. It teases us, but in the end, we scare ourselves. That's why we're scared long after TV's gone dark. That's why I lost my sleep the other night when thinking of a horror story which involves someone watching you from the dark when you sleep.

Horror can cause emotional reactions so unbelievably strong that it makes even the rational ones completely irrational. Experiencing fictional horror can be even traumatic. What other genre has power of that caliber? (Not that I want to cause trauma to anyone). Of course, violence is often dramatic (especially to those not of appropriate age), and excessive violence is easy way to cause trauma. But to be truly scared of something not happening, well that's a feat.
So instead of frightening by having a murderer jump out of the cupboard, one can also scare people more subtly.
Like, if ordinary things are just a little "off". They're so familiar that they are recognizable, but something is causing unease. The way someone looks at you. Something being there that shouldn't be there.

Oh crap. 

Perfect example of horror done right is Silent Hill games 1 to 3.
I've finished both 2nd and 3rd one once. Only once.
I really like them. They are really well made, with good developer choices been made. And sure want to play them again. So far I just haven't been able.
Playing through both was awesome, yes, but also very, very exhausting. To be on the edge all the time and to be so emotionally invested with the action is draining.
Each time I desire to continue, I remember the exhaustion of going through hell and the heavy burden of survival. I rarely have the strength to go for it.
A horror game so good that it's nearly unplayable for me. How about that.

That's why I value the potential of horror, albeit it's often wasted.

BTW: I stumbled across a good blog about horror games. Check it out if you're into it.
http://www.dreamdawn.com/sh/index.php

J.

Beautiful & creepy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL-X53ze5O0