Why is Horror so Comforting?
I know I can't be alone in this, but for some reason I just find certain media in the horror genre comforting.
What inspired this post was how I caught myself thinking about how "I wanted to watch something cozy like FNAF" and it's like, yeah what's more cozy than a story about a bunch of kids being murdered /s
Even if it's not technically a "horror", different series with dark elements can still be comforting to me. Ib, Little Nightmares, Supernatural, Dracula, and so many more.
Is it because these characters are in a dangerous situation, typically through no fault of their own? There's something cathartic about seeing someone struggling that you can relate to. No we're not being chased by haunted animatronics, or hunted by horrific monsters, but even with the differences, the themes in the story, or something about the characters themselves, might call out to us.
Is it because it's familiar? Once you've watched/read/played it once, you'll know what's coming up when you experience it again. I suppose it could give a person a sense of control over the situation.
I just don't know.