‘Why We Watch Horror’ by John Smart

A psychological study of the motivations behind our cinematic fascination with horror films.

John Smart looks at the egoic need for fear as a comfort mechanism and the flight from reality.

Using psychoanalytic paradigms he digs into the historical origins of the need and draws some interesting parallels with previous civilisations while analysing leading films.

Author Quick Facts

John Smart has worked as a film critic in the UK and has taught media at Edinburgh University.

He writes articles on film studies and gender in media and is currently working on a book about gangster films.