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Horror films and psychiatry
Susan Hatters Friedman1, Fernando Espi Forcen2, John Preston Shand3
1University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Sh.friedman@auckland.ac.nz.
Summary
This article explores psychiatric conditions and themes in popular horror films. It examines how these movies portray mental illness and psychiatrists, offering insights into the genre's depictions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Film Studies
- Cultural Psychology
Background:
- Horror films have a long-standing history of engaging audiences across generations.
- The genre frequently explores dark themes, including psychological distress and abnormal behaviors.
- Representation of mental health in media significantly impacts public perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and illustrate psychiatric conditions depicted in horror films.
- To analyze common themes related to mental health within the horror genre.
- To examine the portrayal of psychiatric practice and professionals in horror cinema.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of prominent horror films.
- Thematic analysis of psychiatric conditions and characterizations.
- Literature review of psychological concepts relevant to horror tropes.
Main Results:
- Commonly depicted psychiatric conditions include psychosis, dissociative disorders, and personality disorders.
- Themes of demonic possession, zombie apocalypses, and 'slasher' killer archetypes often symbolize underlying psychological fears.
- Psychiatrists are sometimes featured characters, though often stereotyped or misrepresented.
Conclusions:
- Horror films frequently incorporate psychiatrists or present a sensationalized view of serious mental illness.
- The genre utilizes supernatural and violent elements to explore societal anxieties about mental health.
- Characterizations of mental illness and psychiatrists in horror cinema warrant critical examination due to their cultural influence.
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