Horror and Sex: Why You Should Incorporate Scary Movies into Your Sex Life
As a lifelong fan of horror movies, I thought I’d spend some time discussing the connection between the genre and intimacy. First, let me get a few things out of the way: Scream is my favorite franchise (closely followed by Halloween), I detest demon/possession movies, I’m on board with horror comedies, and I’ve never seen The Exorcist (see above for reasons why), though I plan to watch it this summer. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive into talking about sex.
When researching for this post, I found it hard to narrow down exactly what I wanted to discuss because the connection between horror movies and human sexuality is vast. Should I talk about the consistently poor depiction of LGBTQ+ characters? Maybe explore the blatant sex-negative trope in slasher films (i.e., if you have sex, you die)? I also feel I could spend a lifetime exploring the highs and many lows of the depiction of cis-female characters, but I’ll save that for another day. So for this post, I’m sticking to why horror films tend to elicit a sexual response in people.
Chemical Connection
Think about the last time you watched a horror movie. For me, it was last Thursday. I tend to watch at least one horror movie a week to stay connected and up-to-date on the genre I love so much. But enough about me—how was that experience for you? Were you scared? How did it feel? My guess is that if you did feel scared, you probably experienced one or more of the following: shortness of breath or an increase in breathing, a rapid heartbeat, heightened awareness of your surroundings, and/or an increase in blood pressure. This is due to chemicals like cortisol, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin being released.
Now, let’s look at what happens during sexual arousal: increased heart rate, release of adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin, escalated blood pressure, and rapid breathing. Sound familiar? Essentially, being scared releases similar chemicals and produces the same physiological reactions as when you are sexually aroused.
Researchers have looked into this connection as well. This includes an interesting experiment back in 1974, where a group of men found a beautiful woman more attractive after crossing a shaky suspension bridge than a control group did. According to Joanne Cantor, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Wisconsin, “Being scared is physiologically arousing, and in the right company, it may eventually carry over to sexual arousal.”
So what can happen if we’re with someone we care about or have sexual feelings for? Quite simply, our feelings of arousal can become intertwined with fear. When the release of cortisol and adrenaline is followed by the calming realization that you’re with someone you’re interested in, oxytocin can be released. Oxytocin, also known as the “cuddling” hormone, can lead us to want to be physically close to our partner, and, as they say, the rest is history.
At this point, you might be asking, “But Matt, does this apply to all kinds of horror?” The answer is unclear. Slasher movies tend to stimulate this release because of the anticipation, violence, and gore involved. Studies show that it’s completely normal to be aroused by such things, as long as you’re aroused by the fantasy rather than the reality. When you add in more intimate scenes or a sex scene in movies, this can affect us as well because sex itself is a vulnerable activity typically conducted between two or more people. When we see others engaging in it, we can relate to the experience of vulnerability. So let’s look at this equation:
Vulnerability + Horror Movie = Increased Arousal
To really understand this equation, let's break down the concepts of vulnerability and arousal as they relate to horror. Vulnerability, at its core, is about being exposed—whether emotionally, physically, or psychologically. Horror films play on this exposure by putting characters (and viewers, vicariously) into situations where they feel vulnerable to forces beyond their control, be it a masked killer, supernatural entity, or psychological thriller that peels back the layers of human psyche. This experience triggers our own sense of vulnerability, which can heighten our awareness of our surroundings and stir feelings that closely mirror those of sexual arousal.
Watching horror can bring us to a heightened emotional state, making us more receptive to connection with others. Think about how often people hold hands, grip each other’s arms, or snuggle closer while watching a scary movie. It’s not only comforting; it’s a form of bonding. There’s a reason why horror movie dates are so popular—fear has a way of breaking down social barriers and creating an unspoken sense of intimacy between people. When we’re scared, our body chemistry mirrors that of attraction, increasing our receptiveness to closeness, both physically and emotionally. Sharing this vulnerable state with a partner can create a unique bonding experience, where heightened emotions and sensations often lead to intensified feelings of arousal.
Studies have shown that the psychological mechanism called “misattribution of arousal” comes into play here. Essentially, our body knows it’s reacting to something (our racing heart, tense muscles, or sweating), but it might not pinpoint the exact cause. So, if you’re holding someone you’re attracted to during these intense moments, your body might start interpreting the response as being about your partner rather than the film. This physiological crossover can lead to a powerful combination of fear and attraction that feels exhilarating.
Then there’s the visual and thematic vulnerability that horror films often convey through scenes involving intimacy or the threat of it. The genre plays on this by putting characters in vulnerable positions—often alone, unaware, or exposed—triggering empathy or even mirroring our own feelings of vulnerability. Seeing characters survive intense or terrifying experiences can stir an emotional release in viewers, reminding us of our own strength and resilience, and leaving us feeling alive and even energized, which can tip into arousal.
And it’s not just a one-way street; horror and intimacy work cyclically. Being in an intimate, close physical setting with someone makes us feel safer and more capable of handling scary situations. This reassurance from closeness lowers our guard, allowing us to let go, lean into the fear, and enjoy the ride. When vulnerability and arousal blend together in this way, it can feel like a rush—one that invites closeness, affection, and a desire for even more connection.
Conclusion
As I wrap up this post, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the sexuality-focused film It Follows. If you haven’t seen it, It Follows is a slow-burn horror movie about a curse that’s passed from person to person after unprotected sex, killing each person in turn as it moves down the line. The movie uses this malevolent spirit as a comment on sexual assault and sexually transmitted infections. While I find the depiction of how trauma can linger as we move forward in life and build new relationships accurate and truthful, the more obvious, easily digestible narrative is that unprotected sex leads to STIs, and viewers should avoid it. As a sex and relationship therapist, I of course promote safe sex and the importance of using protection. Unfortunately, the stigma and fear surrounding STIs continue to spread fear, distrust, and misinformation, and for that reason, It Follows loses some points.
