It's that time of the year, and when Halloween rolls around, many people can't get enough of frightening movies and attractions.

Dr. Tyson Kreiger, an associate professor of psychology at Utica College, discussed the emotion of fear and explained why some seek it out.

“I love horror movies, but I’m not a fan of haunted houses. I’m one of those who people who tend to be a little tightly wound,” he said.

Kreiger says some people like horror for the thrill.

“There are a number of people out there, we can call them, ‘adrenaline junkies.’ They’re those people who like to engage in something exciting,” Kreiger said.

Horror can also act as an “escape” for some people, he said.


What You Need To Know

  • While fear in our every day lives isn’t fun, many people enjoy scary movies and attractions

  • A psychology professor says some people enjoy horror for reasons other than the thrill of it

  • The owner of Cayo Industrial Horror Realm says he enjoys the creative opportunities horror presents

“If you are watching a horror movie, it gives you a sense of escape from day-to-day life. You feel a lot better about living in a pandemic whenever you’re saying, ‘Well, at least I’m not the guy who just got his head chopped off,’” Kreiger said.

He said children often act out anxiety-inducing situations to help prepare them for future events. He says watching scary movies can be the adult-equivalent.

“For some people, watching horror movies is also a way to imagine, ‘Hey what would I do in this situation? How could I cope with this? How would I survive this?’” he said.

For Joshua Reale, horror presents creative opportunities. Reale is the owner of Cayo Industrial Horror Realm.

“I love it. It’s fantastic,” Reale said.

With the help of friends, Reale designs his attraction, original music, props, everything, each year around current events with his own twist.

“We’re our own entity. It’s different. It’s unique,” Reale said. “It makes people think when they leave because we’re not just normal like the different aspects of a horror. We gage our horror on more realistic horror.”

Kreiger also says horror movies and attractions are great for releasing bottled up fears or anxieties because there, it’s welcomed and socially accepted.

Cayo Industrial Horror Realm is located in Rome.

It’s open 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays in October. An escape room is also available.