Alana Gautreau
In Focus

Watching scary movies gives people a hormonal boost that can translate into symptoms of pleasure said Dawn Macaulay, a psychology professor.
The arousal that comes from a scary stimulus can be interpreted in a number of ways said Macaulay.  
“It can actually make others seem more attractive,” she said.
“It’s a big adrenaline rush, and when you get that kind of rush it becomes addictive,” said Chris Emery, communications director for the Toronto After Dark Film Festival (www.torontoafterdark.com).
The festival is in its third year and screened 17 movies over eight nights to packed houses last week in preparation for Halloween.
Most films were North American or international premieres.
The festival is visited by industry professionals, like directors, actors and producers.
Such was the case on closing night with the North American premiere of I Sell the Dead, a low-budget, dark comedy about the perils of grave-robbing.  
The film, which has not yet been picked up by a distributor, screened to a packed house of enthusiastic movie-goers.  
“The audience is often the most energetic audience you can get,” said Emery. “They cheer, they yell.  It’s a great atmosphere.”
“When everyone is being scared at the same time there’s a sense of community,” said Peter Kuplowsky, one of the festival’s program directors.
Macaulay said when people are scared their bodies gear into fight-or-flight mode; blood pressure rises, more blood pumps to muscles and pupils dilate.
In situations such as a car accident where that fear is unexpected it can cause nausea or a jittery sensation Macaulay said.
But in a scary movie our bodies are prepared for that hormonal boost.  
“We wouldn’t do it if we really felt so scared we thought we were going to die,” Macaulay said.
“I still get scared,” Emery said. “I love that the genre still produces that reaction out of me.”
Kuplowsky said many movie genres give the audience a laugh before the jump-scare.  
“You know it’s coming, but people still jump.  That’s a good movie,” Kuplowsky said.  
 “It’s the sensation of getting the goosebumps but knowing you’re not actually in danger,” said Macaulay.
“Once we conquer it we can feel extremely triumphant,” she said. “We can go from terrified to joyful.  It’s easy to make that flip.”