Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films

by Nina Nesseth

Nina Nesseth knows what scares you. She also knows why.

In Nightmare Fuel, Nesseth explores the strange and often unexpected science of fear through the lenses of psychology and physiology. How do horror films get under our skin? What about them keeps us up at night, even days later? And why do we keep coming back for more?

Horror films promise an experience: fear. From monsters that hide in plain sight to tension-building scores, every aspect of a horror film is crafted to make your skin crawl. But how exactly do filmmakers pull this off? The truth is, there’s more to it than just loud noises and creepy images.

With the affection of a true horror fan and the critical analysis of a scientist, Nesseth explains how audiences engage horror with both their brains and bodies, and teases apart the elements that make horror films tick. Nightmare Fuel covers everything from jump scares to creature features, serial killers to the undead, and the fears that stick around to those that fade over time.

With in-depth discussions and spotlight features of some of horror’s most popular films - from classics like The Exorcist to modern hits like Hereditary - and interviews with directors, film editors, composers, and horror academics, Nightmare Fuel is a deep dive into the science of fear, a celebration of the genre, and a survival guide for going to bed after the credits roll.

• ISBN10: 1250765218
• ISBN13: 9781250765215
• Publish Date: 15 August 2022 (first published 26 July 2022)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 8 March 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 304
• Language: English
• URL: http://melia.co.uk/page/detail/?k=9781250765215

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Okay, it's time to confess a weakness of mine. I love books that dive into the science of my favorite genres. So, naturally, I had to pick up Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films. I was too curious not to!

This is the book for every horror fan that has questioned why they love the genre so much. Nightmare Fuel breaks down the science of why we love to be scared and how these things successfully scare us.

“Anecdotes—and we’ll see a few more in this section—are not evidence.”

As one might expect, Nightmare Fuel is a highly informative read. It delves into the how's and why's of horror fiction, gleaning insight from years of personal and professional experience. Given the nature of this book, it's naturally perfect for all horror fans.

That being said, I can see readers that aren't obsessed with the genre enjoying this read. As I said, it's very informative and interesting. And since the goal isn't to scare us, it will probably appeal to a larger audience.

What sold me on Nightmare Fuel is how carefully researched it is. There are proper citations, not to mention so much attention to detail. It makes it easy to understand how the author is connecting the dots. Better yet, it is quite easy to follow along and understand their train of thought. I thoroughly enjoyed the investigation for this reason.

Horror buffs should consider diving into Nightmare Fuel, even if they don't usually read non-fiction novels. This one should be an exception to the rule, as it covers a subject many hold dear to their hearts.

Thanks to Tor Nightfire and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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