Discusses the enjoyment and social functions of horror. Some scholars claim that people often enjoy being disgusted and frightened by the types of images we find in horror. Another possibility is that the attraction to horrific media has evolutionary origins associated with protective vigilance and curiosity. Several factors appear capable of turning the inherently distressing experience of horror into a rewarding viewing encounter. Dispositional alignment within the film content as well as external social determinants can generate pleasure from what could otherwise be a distressing experience. Although research provides insight on some aspects of horror's emotional aftermath, other areas go largely unexamined. Previous discussion of viewing experience shows considerable insight concerning the short-term reactions to watching extreme violence. In contrast, we know much less about the lasting effects of exposure. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)