Some twisted, emotional delayal of gratification deal, where the removal of fright is perceived as enjoyment. Or maybe a desire for desensitization is driving the horror urge. It s a scary world out there, full of frightening, out of control people and events. If we really internalized just how scary, it might be hard to step out the door, difficult to take the risks required in the course of daily life. That s closer, but still doesn t explain our enjoyment of the terror itself.
Adrenaline rush plays a part, for sure.
And there s a hormonal thrill in the chemicals released. Horror makes us feel alive. The terrors, the menacing, the monsters threatening, the situations that leave someone bleeding and dead on the ground. In all those cases that someone isn t us. Horror allows us to confront and best our own mortality.