I was SO excited when I came across this book because it combines two of my favorite things: horror movies and science!

As the title suggests, this book goes into the science behind horror movies, why we like them, why our bodies react the way they do, that sort of stuff. And I just found all of that so interesting! I mean, why do we come back for more horror instead of staying away from these terrible scenarios? The book pointed out one thing: when recognizing a scary situation in a horror movie, the buildup of your own anticipation for that situation is half the fun—and that is SO true! That is one of my favorite things about watching horror movies—just waiting for the spooky thing to happen 😆 AND recent research has shown that oxytocin (the “love” hormone) can be released during stressful situations... including horror movies! That I did not know!

And I actually learned a lot about myself and my relationship to horror from reading this book. One thing about me is that even though I love all things horror, I actually startle really easily. It’s embarrassing! 😂 But I also have anxiety, and apparently that makes me more sensitive to spooky things and thus I have a bigger startle response. Yay anxiety 🙃 Lol. However, they say that people with anxiety disorders have a harder time distancing themselves from the horror in movies, but I find that I don’t have that problem. I’ve never had an issue distancing myself from the fictional horror of movies. I can literally fall asleep to a horror movie and not have a nightmare 😆 Lol.

But just because I love horror and can handle a bit of violence and gore, it’s not the same with real-life stuff, which this book talks about a little. I’ve read one true crime book, and at the moment of writing this review I’m reading another, but while reading these types of books I am so acutely aware that this terrible violence happened in real life, that I could obviously not take it as lightly as I do movies/fictional books. In fact, it took me MONTHS to read that first true crime book (even though I loved it). The media loves to blame horror movies for terrible acts of violence that happen in real life, saying that these types of movies desensitize the people committing these awful crimes. But no. I've watched so much horror that I might be a little desensitized when watching other horror movies, but never when it comes to violence that happens in the real world.

The book also talks about the brain in relation to horror movies, like how the amygdala is generally accepted as the primary brain center for fear processing, and just what goes on in the brain when fear is triggered. I liked the way the book talked about what happens to your brain as you go through these frightening scenarios, from potential threat to actual threat, what hormones are released and how your body reacts. AND they used movies as examples! I loved that! I also learned that there are more responses than just flight or fight! There are in fact MANY Fs! Lol. It was so interesting!

Another thing I found interesting was that loving horror COULD be in the genes! I have no idea how, as neither of my parents like it 😆 My dad loves his Hallmark Christmas movies, meanwhile I’m over here like, “Ew! Get them away from me!” 😂 I have three brothers and only ONE is a horror fan too! So in my case, it’s definitely not hereditary, but it is contagious. Lol. I’m honestly not sure where exactly my love for it came from... I mean, I used to watch things like Goosebumps and I remember once Child's Play was on tv and it scared the ever-loving crap out of me and made me hate dolls 😆

Ironically, it's one of my favorite movies now! Lol. One experience I remember vividly is when my twin brothers were born. It was MLK day and my younger brother and I were staying with an aunt while the twins were being, well, birthed 😆 Me, my brother, and our cousins (I was 12, my brother 6, one of my cousins maybe 10 or so, and my other was also 6) were watching The Ring, and the scene where Samara came out of the TV scared us SO badly, we literally ran down the stairs 😂 That being said, we apparently found it fun because we came back to finish the movie 😂

This book talked about so many interesting things that I could not possibly touch on them all... I feel like I’ve already rambled on long enough 😆 But two more things I wanted to note before I wrap things up, is that if you take a look at horror movies throughout history, horror movies made during certain time periods actually correlate with what's going on in the real world and what scared us during those times. And that maybe watching and enjoying horror movies could be... almost a coping mechanism/a way to deal with our own terrible in-real-life issues. For example, during the pandemic, I watched All of Us Are Dead, which is a Korean zombie show (which I highly recommend! It is SO good!) where the characters had to deal with an even worse virus than we have now. It’s almost like a release for the things you’ve been feeling.

Oh man, that is one long-winded review 😅 But I really enjoyed this book! I love how all the science was explained and then horror movies were used as examples or spotlit in relation to whatever topic was being discussed. It was just a fascinating read! Although I will admit, my eyes glazed over in certain parts 🙈 Usually when they talked about movie production. I guess I just don't care about that 🤷‍♀️ But give me ALL the science! 😆 But I definitely recommend this book if you’re a fan of horror! And even if you’re not, I think you might find it interesting as well!

I am a horror movie fan and a psychology fan. While some other reviewers are saying that this book is "too academic" but I found it very accessible. The chapters deal with concepts that you've probably already heard of: uncanny valley, fight or flight, etc. Honestly, I kind of wanted a more deep dive into the scientific studies, and the shortcomings of the studies, done to understand fear by showing people horror movies, but the bibliography in the back allows for further research (and further streaming horror movies). I also appreciated the authors' asides and relating their own experiences to those shown in other studies.

If you’re a horror/terror movie fan, Nightmare Fuel will probably be good candidate for a bedside book. With a good writing style and careful composition of several variables that impact on how this film genre is perceived and received by the spectators, Nina Nesseth delivers a fascinating reading which will keep you interested throughout the book.

Starting with a very complete and necessary contextualization about the history of horror films through the World, Nesseth puts to the page what are the main aspects and what helps horror, suspense and movies alike be one of the most compelling types. The author explains the effects horror films have on the human brain, how people feel when watching them and what genetic aspect makes us seek to be afraid, even if “just for fun”.

In other chapters, the writer brings all about the elements which have made horror movies successful in the past and continue to work like so, also about the many different subgenres that permeate this incredible and intricate world of fear and apprehension. With just the right amount of scientific vocabulary, Nesseth dives deep into this universe and shows us what makes it so fascinating and almost impossible to look away from.

If you are a movie aficionado, this book might be the right reading to entertain while you also expand your knowledge.

This is a fascinating read if you're into horror movies, even to a small degree. It explores what attracts people to the genre, from psychology to emotions to physical effects. It's not overly scientific to the point of confusion for the average reader, primarily leaning on various studies as explanations. And it covers the gamut of horror subgenres and movies. As a bonus, at the end of the book there are lists of the movies the author watched as background for each chapter, so readers can check them out for themselves.

Enjoyable horror read that is a lot of fun for the spooky season and Halloween. Look forward to more by this author.

I originally requested this book on an impulse -- I don't watch a lot of horror films, but I write both horror and romance (and horror and romance are, imo, two sides of the same coin in terms of styles; both require a certain reliance on genre-defining terms of agreement, and both require creating a connection between the reader/viewer and the emotional experience that must by essence make the A plot of whatever story it is -- something which is essentially backed up by the Ch 7 Conversation with John Fawcett, director of Ginger Snaps and Orphan Black). I wanted to pick it up to see more viewpoints about how some of that atmosphere was created (though obviously the parts about sound, camera use, visuals, jumpscares etc aren't exactly applicable).

I very much enjoyed this read, which goes deep into the science of horror on all levels, the social impetus behind changing trends, different types of horror, the people who like different types of horror, what's going on in our brains, etc. It is very easy to read and accessible, while still not shying away from talking about genetics, specifics of neuroscience, and so on. I think someone who is more widely-watched than I am may have gotten even more out of it than I did, but even for me (who has seen a fraction of the horror movies talked about), enough context is given, especially into the deep dives, to follow along.

One thing I did find lacking was a discussion about spiritual terror and its role in a huge portion of horror films. Nesseth talks a lot about different types of horror and the primal fears they speak to in us, but the only mention of possession horror was under the category of infection fear. I found that very lacking in a book that otherwise went into social impetus; it seemed to me that there could have been an entire chapter on fundamental religious beliefs (especially in the United States) and how that plays into Possession Horror rather than treating it as essentially an intangible fear on the same lines of bacteria.

4/5 stars, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in genre construction, film theory, or horror movies.

Nightmare Fuel by Nina Nesseth has created a must-read for horror fans and creators that can be used as an insightful guide for those who would like to learn more about how our bodies and minds react the way they do when watching horror movies. For example, Nesseth explains why some of us still jump at jump scares even when we know they are coming!

https://katenread.wordpress.com/2022/07/28/20booksofsummer22-review-nightmare-fuel/

Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films by Nina Nesseth

An electronic copy of this book was supplied to me by the publisher.

Last year, I read a book called The Science of Women in Horror. It was a mildly perplexing book. The History of Women in Horrors or The Roles of Women in Horror might have been better titles. It wasn’t an uninformative book, but other than touching on some sociology issues, it was pretty light on science. So, I was a little wary about Nightmare Fuel.

Luckily, there are quite a few ways in which to investigate horror films through science. Nina Nesseth starts with a quick primer on our biological fear reactions and how horror movies use certain tropes and techniques to trigger (or try to trigger) those responses. Chapter two takes a quick sociological detour to examine how horror films often reflect societal fears. (We have, it would seem, spent decades fearing communism . . .) Subsequent chapters look at how horror filmmakers design monster and soundscapes and how different types of horror (slashers, body horror, ghost stories, etc.) affect us in different ways. Nesseth wraps up the book with a lengthy chapter looking at what impact horror movies have on audiences. Do scary movies offer cathartic release or prepare viewers for dangerous situations? Why do people enjoy being scared? And do horror movie lead to desensitization to violence and asocial behaviors? These are all good questions to addressed, even if scientific findings aren’t always conclusive.

Nesseth is an engaging writer with an obvious love for the horror genre. She presents the science at a fairly basic level with clarity and humor. The book covers its subjects with a decent amount of detail. Included are interviews with filmmakers that, while sometimes interesting, don’t add a whole lot. In general, though, I enjoyed Nightmare Fuel. I’ll be keeping a couple of things from it in mind during my Countdown to October.

Nightmare Fuel delves into some of the reasons our brains respond to horror, how different horror tropes function, and more. The style of writing is both informative and accessible, even when introducing different parts and processes of the brain. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of interviews with horror movie makers and critics. There are a wide range of movies referenced including sci-fi horror classics to the range of Stephen King adaptations to more recent horror films like Hereditary and Get Out. This is an excellent book for anyone fascinated by the reasons we respond to and enjoy horror.

Okay I normally don't read a lot of non-fiction unless it's on a topic I am really interested in and Nightmare Fuel is that. This book called out to me on Netgalley and I am so glad I got the chance to read it. I love Horror movies I am (according to this book) a casual fan bordering on encyclopedic. I read this book one chapter a day so that way I could fully have time to absorb the information given to me. And there was some really in depth things that my brain needed time to process, like an entire chapter on how our brains react and perceive fear, jump scares, gore, and just about everything else that goes along with this genre. Also going into the history and how society anxieties tie into the type of horror that are being produced at that time. This was a very informative book and it really gives me a new way to watch and enjoy horror. If you read non-fiction, enjoy horror movies, and don't mind a bunch of scientific talk (it really isn't that hard to understand it was pretty laymen) this is a great book

In Nightmare Fuel, Nina Nesseth approaches horror films through a variety of lenses, from neurobiology to social psychology. While that sounds like it could be overwhelming or tedious, it is neither in the author's hands. There are some pretty science-heavy explanations of some aspects of horror, but they're presented in a way that's accessible, and enjoyable even.

The book does a good job of covering a wide range of films, from those you've never heard of to big screen blockbusters. There are also interviews and insights along the way from people who work in the industry in a variety of roles.

I am a huge horror fan so I had really high hopes going into this book, and it did not let me down. That being said, I feel like horror haters could get something out of it as well, even if it's just understating the horror fans in their lives a little better.

I can't recommend this enough. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable sneak peek.

I had a lot of fun with this book. I’m not a huge horror fan (I’m a scaredy-cat to the extreme), but I grew up with an older sister who loved them and constantly forced me to watch horror movies with her. Being older now, I’m still a scaredy-cat that she has to force to watch those movies, but I have a greater appreciation for the work that goes into them. This book put in a lot of effort to talk about what goes into the fear we feel, how the movies are made, etc. It was easy to understand, engaging, and I’m definitely going to be recommending this book to my sister.

So thankful my wish was granted for this book! I'm an avid horror fan and so this was right up my alley but I think even if you're not a fan of horror movies this is just as an enjoyable (& interesting!) read as well. The book that got me back into reading was a book about the science of fear so this feels very full circle (and this definitely expands on that). I loved the writing style Nesseth uses were even in paragraphs that feel like they're full of academic-smart talk, she still finds a way to make it fun, funny, or relatable. Highly recommend!

As a fan of horror movies, tv, books, etc. this book called to me. It's fascinating to not only see that there are people out there like you, but to see the studies and science behind your favorite genre.

Nina Nesseth is a lover of horror and sets out in her book to give some science behind some aspects of the intriguing genre. From what makes horror so appealing (or unappealing) to the ways society has influenced horror over the decades this book brings some great science, history, interviews, personal anecdotes, and more.

While some of the science was over my head I really enjoyed this book. You can tell Nesseth is a lover of the genre and I related to her on that level. I learned a lot about this weird, polarizing, and wonderful genre (and all of the many subgenres). While this is going to make you think, it's also not a difficult or dense read. And also it has enough movies listed throughout the pages to keep you Watch List packed for a while!

Do you like scary movies?
The famous line from Scream is also the opener for Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films by Nina Nesseth.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for my eARC for review.
This great little tome is chock-full of all things horror.
It breaks down exactly what about horror movies scare us - from the physiological and psychological, to behavioral and cultural elements. It's not all just monsters and masks, jump scares and ominous music.
Famous horror films are examined alongside societal issues, and how those fears may be translated and reflected on screen.
Nightmare Fuel looks at the elements that make up the visual/auditory language of terror, and the effect of violent media on real-life behaviors.
It's like reading Eli Roth's History Of Horror series from AMC! The author absolutely knows her stuff.
This may be a rather niche read, but personally I found it super interesting - a deeper look into the genre of movies I grew up with, and continue to seek out today!
Recommended!
Released on July 26.

What is it about horror movies that despite them bringing some of our fears to life make them so popular??

I for one have a probably unhealthy obsession with horror & I am so not sorry about it. I was recently sent a galley of Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films by Nina Nesseth & I am absolutely loving how detailed this book is.

Not only am I finding so many more movies to watch that I’d surprisingly never heard of but, now I kind of want to branch out into the older horror movies from the likes of Hitchcock.

Any who.. if any of you are as into horror as I am, make sure you check this book out! It’s an entertaining read if anything, & though I did find myself skimming the last half.. I did enjoy getting new horror movie rec’s!

How do people respond to fear? Why do people like watching horror movies? How do film makers use their skills to make movies more affecting? All of these questions and more are answered in this nonfiction book exploring the science of horror films.

The book is heavy on the science and references many scientific studies. All of the resources and further reading on the subjects can be found in the back of the book. I really appreciated that the scientific answers given in this book were so well researched.

Nightmare Fuel is also written in a fun way with a lot of the authors voice coming through. It is not a dry read at all. It also references and huge list of horror movies. All of the films referenced can be found listed in the back as well. I would make sure that you have seen a lot of the major most popular horror movies before reading this book, because it does give away major scares and plot points to make the points in the book. You can probably skip over any parts the reference a movie you haven't seen yet.

If you don't like reading about anything science related this may be one to skip. If you love horror films. If you would like to know more about methods to make them scarier and how they affect us physically than I would highly recommend Nightmare Fuel for you.

A while back, Tor Nightfire reached out to me after I reviewed one of their horror titles. They asked if I was interested in an upcoming non-fiction book about horror, and why people like it. I, naturally, said yes. So I was sent a copy of Nina Nesseth’s Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films, and reader, I loved it.

Nightmare Fuel digs deep into the reasons that people like me enjoy horror movies. A breakdown of the techniques used in horror, like jump scares and repetition, sheds light on the false assumption that horror movies are “switch your brain off” entertainment. Nesseth covers the definitions of fear, horror, terror, and various other terms that tie in to the film watching experience. The book examines the physiological structures in the human brain that respond to particular aspects of horror movies, explaining why our bodies respond the way they do (and consequently, how we create a barrier in our minds to help us understand the difference between a real threat situation and one that’s being shown to us in film).

As I’ve said before, I’m not much of a non-fiction reader under normal circumstances. However, Nina Nesseth has knocked this one out of the park. Nightmare Fuel is a must-read for horror movie fans, combining the science of fear with the history of the genre into a beautiful, quick read. It’s out in the world as of yesterday, so go check it out.

My utmost gratitude to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for an eARC of the book in exchange for a fair review. This review originally appeared here: https://swordsoftheancients.com/2022/07/27/nightmare-fuel-a-review/

This book is so much fun.  Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films is chatty and scientific examination of what makes horror films scary and interesting.  

It combines neuroscience and psychology with media criticism and a history of horror movies.  

I love that the scientific aspect was discussed in detail (I felt like I was actually learning something about how my brain works) and mixed so cleverly with horror movie trivia.

There are chapters about why monsters and masks scare us, what in our brains causes fear and disgust, why horror films cycle through different topics in response to politics and society, the sound design of horror films, transformation and body horror, and much more.

Nesseth has a conversational way of writing that made the book a breeze to read.

In addition to her own observations and research, I loved Nesseth’s  “In Conversation” segments with different horror movie creators.  My favourites were interviews with Jamie Kirkpatrick, a film editor, who explains how editing makes The Shining terrifying, Alexandra West, a writer who discusses body horror and sense of place in Canadian horror, and director John Fawcett who made my favourite film, Ginger Snaps. (As a Canadian I adored the CanCon in this book!!)

Beyond the science aspects, I loved how many horror references Nesseth discusses.  There were so many of my favourite films referenced, and also new-to-me movies, websites, and podcasts.  It’s packed full of horror goodness.  

Although I received this one as an e-book advance review copy, I’m planning to buy a paperback copy because I need to read through it again, making notes and highlighting media and further resources I need to check out.  

I’ve already recommended it to so many of my horror-loving friends.  Seriously, you want to read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for my review copy of this book.

I received this as an ARC for an honest review. I will say, I only sign up for ARCs I believe I will enjoy. This book met and surpassed my expectations. It is incredibly clear, interesting and informative.

It includes a history of horror films which was more informative than I had imagined. Explaining not only the general history but the history of rating systems and other mechanisms of controlling content. What sort of affect technological advances had on the genre as well as what the fears and concerns of the times. Godzilla representing the fears associated with nuclear fallout for one example.

There is an in depth scientific and yet layperson-friendly explanation of what we understand as far as the actual cause and development of fear and phobias. I might have done better in high school biology if Nina has broken it down.

The book covers a variety of topics, including the panic that violence on screen contributes to real world violence and the not so fantastic studies on the subject. How sound can contribute to fear, jump scares versus the nagging scare that stays with you long after the movie is over and the lights are on and so much more.

If you are a film buff, a horror fan, or even simply have an interest in psychology, I would highly recommend this book.