GORE AND DELIGHT: A BLOODY GOOD TIME?

This thesis explores why audiences find enjoyment in watching extreme cinematic violence, focusing on the emotional, cognitive, and cultural appeal of gore in horror films. While graphic imagery often provokes fear or disgust, many viewers actively seek out these experiences, suggesting deeper psychological and symbolic functions. Drawing on theories such as the paradox of horror (Carroll, 1990), excitation transfer theory (Cummins, 2017), and cinemasochism (Heller-Nicholas, 2014), this study investigates how viewers engage with gore not only as a spectacle but as meaningful and affective media. Based on semi-structured interviews with about 10 self-identified horror fans from France and the Netherlands, this research explored participants' reactions to gore across different formats (including film, anime, and video games), and sought to understand their enjoyment through an emotional, cognitive, and cultural angle. Thematic analysis revealed key patterns: interviewees often described gore as a source of emotional release, narrative intrigue, aesthetic fascination, or as a tool for political commentary. Factors such as gender, cultural background, and viewing context significantly shaped interpretation, with some audiences framing gore as cathartic or artistic, while others emphasized its transgressive thrill. Finally, the findings revealed that the appreciation of gore is not monolithic, but rather a complex and layered process. Findings challenge the notion of gore as purely gratuitous and instead position it as a site of symbolic negotiation and emotional engagement. This contributes to a more nuanced understanding of horror spectatorship and the cultural role of violent media, made increasingly available on platforms to younger generations.