To be miffed that I can't watch horror films anymore

[Gifgirl]

I used to absolutely LOVE horror films but now I am old and weary (43) and living alone, I just can't do it.

Went to see the new Saw movie with a friend yesterday and spent most of my time hidden in his armpit.

*SOB"

I've always loved anything scary and creepy, even when I was really little. I've always been a huge horror buff. I'm 47 now!

DP doesn't like horror so I pretty much only ever watch horror films on my own, either at home or on solo cinema trips.

I probably wouldn't bother with any Saw sequels though - I find that type of horror quite boring; I think it's because it's all a bit samey and reliant on torture, which I don't find at all interesting. I don't mind a good old slasher film (love the Halloween series, love Elm Street, love Scream etc) though. I love ghost horror, gothic horror, psychological horror and folk horror best.

Usually whenever there's a thread about horror on Mumsnet some sanctimonious pearl-clutcher turns up to tell everyone that liking horror films means you're a disturbed individual and a sick sadist, so I'm looking forward to that.

Can we swap? I would love to have such a visceral reaction to horror films!

Reading this I was all “How could anyone watch horror stories to relax?” Then I remembered what I watch to send me to sleep - Newsnight. Plenty of horror stories on there. 😀

I think you do get more sensitive as you get older.

Watching the Exorcist at 15 was nothing.

At 35, I couldn't sleep.

It used to be like endurance for me to watch a horror film, or I would refuse to watch. If I watched a scary film, I would think about it for months, and my mind would play tricks on me in the dark.

Since my early 30s, I have had a neurological disorder. I can now watch horror movies no problem. I forget them instantly, and watch them with a sense of Meh. I wouldn't say that I particularly enjoy them though.

I used to hate them but now am immune. Saw isn’t Horror anyway, it’s Torture Porn which is a completely different genre.

Of course Saw is horror.

Thanks for sharing this, I started listening this morning while I was doing some housework. Very creepy vibes so far.

Oooh I'd love to watch some horror films. Any recommendations? I haven't watched many but loved The Shining!

I used to be able to watch horror films with impunity. Now since dropping a crotch goblin, I can't watch anything that has children suffering or dying without it breaking me.

Tbh, I get a lot more emotional in general watching films than I used to. My son was watching Santa Buddies (with the talking dogs) and I ended up nearly bawling. Fucking SANTA BUDDIES.

Now I live in my own in the country, I can't do really spooky supernatural ones.

Love psychological/thriller/gory horror.

Love zombies.

Always been terrified of werewolf ones, as they just seem more feasible 😂. Can manage funny ones like American werewolf in London or Dog soldiers, but can't watch the transformations.