"A Reminder of How Much Fun We Used to Have"

"The defining characteristic of the monster, Mr. Carroll argued, is that it’s hard to classify, categorically incomplete or contradictory, or just generally hard to understand. The monster in the 'Frankenstein' series, for instance, is what Mr. Carroll called a 'fusion figure,' made of spare parts, including different brains. The horror is rooted in the unknown, but this strangeness also sparks curiosity and fascination. Horror plots are often constructed to emphasize the mystery of the nature of the monster. Most of 'The Exorcist,' for example, is taken up with the intricate detective work of a mother trying to figure out what is wrong with her daughter."

Jason Zinoman in The New York Times considers why audiences love horror movies.