Ghost stories are as much a part of human history as the Roman Empire, neanderthals, and the moon landing. People thrive on ghost stories, and you can find them almost everywhere. They may be a rumor at the local college, a tall tale from times past, or a real-life event meant for those still grieving. Anywhere you look, there’s a ghost story waiting to be told, waiting to be discovered.
Many of the most prolific haunts are close to home though — literally. Haunted houses are some of the most famous stories we have, some based on real places or events. Some are even famous enough to be made into books and movies. Name any haunted house movie. Was it House on Haunted Hill (or even The Haunting of Hill House?). Perhaps it was The Conjuring or The Amityville Horror. Beetlejuice? Even The Shining and The Grudge count in this category. The possibilities are truly endless. No matter how scary, haunted houses are a part of our lives and a tall tale we keep alive through the ages.
But why? There have been numerous research endeavors that prove how scary movies affect our brains. In short, watching scary movies can activate our fight-or-flight responses, making our minds and bodies ready to interact with a presumed threat. This rush of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol elevate our moods. I am assuming that movies about haunted homes takes this a step further.
Think about your own home. Chances are that it’s a place you feel good in, comfortable… safe. Movies involving haunted houses add a little un-safeness to that feeling. Is my door locked? Is someone looking into my window? Is there something in my closet? Is someone watching me while I sleep? These are all questions we may ask ourselves when watching. At the base of it though, is the knowledge that you are getting into something potentially dangerous, but will ultimately come out of it unscathed.
But you could say that about any scary thing, like aliens or monsters. What’s so special about a house?
Well, it’s something most people on earth can relate to. The type of home doesn’t even matter, it’s the fact that you live somewhere. Not everyone will have a run-in with a dead person, and not everyone will live in an area that’s prone to animal attacks and myths about what waits in the forest. But I’d hazard a guess that at some point, everyone has heard floorboards creaking, wind moving branches to scratch on windows, or seen shadows of clothes on chairs morph into something sinister. Haunted houses are universal.
We love them so much that we mirror that effect for fun. Every Halloween, big businesses and normal neighborhood joes put together haunts on their properties, often imitating things you’d find in a real-life haunted house. Hell, some real houses host Halloween events: just ask the Winchester Mystery House or the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast. Even places not necessarily known as being haunted houses fit into this category, like historical residences or hotels.
The point is, we are deeply obsessed with haunted habitations, and it could be for many reasons. Some people like the thrill. Some may wish to form a closer relationship with another realm. Perhaps some are in denial, blaming the flickering lights and misplaced items on “the house settling.” Regardless, you have to admit that haunted houses have a certain allure to them, always finding their way into our minds and hearts. They will always be trending.
Have you been to any real-life haunted houses? Tell us about it in the comments!
