Why Aussies are watching horror films and TV more than ever before

The Walking Dead, The Conjuring and American Horror Story … They all have something in common which has viewers hooked right now.

You’d think given the full blown nightmare that has been 2020, Aussies would be looking for light relief on the small screen.

Think Legally Blonde, Love Actually or any Adam Sandler film circa 1995.

But it seems the reality is the exact opposite, with people turning to horror films and TV shows more than ever as a way of releasing built up tension.

Binge* says their viewers, particularly Victorians, have sought “scream therapy” during lockdown more than ever before, with the likes of The Walking Dead and The Conjuring among the most popular watches on the streaming platform.

Bad day? There’s nothing quite like watching Stephen King’s ‘Doctor Sleep’ to lighten things up. Picture: Warner Bros/AP

Victoria made up a third of Australians watching horror with 32.95 per cent, while NSW came in at 25.99 per cent. This makes sense given both states have experienced the harshest lockdowns.

Elsewhere, Western Australia made up 9 per cent of horror-related streams, while Queensland came in at 20.58 per cent.

Data also revealed more than half of horror viewing happens in the dark of the night, between 5pm to midnight, while 19.67 per cent of people think the morning is an ideal time to tune into scary shows.

Australian psychologist Frances di Bartomoleo said people found “screaming” to be a therapeutic outlet during trying times.

“2020 has been a testing and trying year for many, particularly us down here in Melbourne. We continue to feel incredibly frustrated and emotional about the year that has been and what we know is when we have festering feelings of frustration, tension and hurt, these are bound to find their release somehow,” Ms di Bartomoleo said.

“Finding an outlet, whether it’s through screaming to experience trembling feelings, clutching a pillow, or allowing yourself to cry or sob uncontrollably without judgment can be a massive release and outlet for many.

“It can serve to release bodily tension, help us release stressors and engage in emotions we’re

harbouring and trying to repress.”

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The Walking Dead is in the top 5 of the most watched shows on BINGE. Picture: BINGE

Ahead of Halloween tomorrow, Binge has created a ‘Make Me Scream’ carousel to appease the masses craving a good quality squeal.

“Binge is about providing content for whatever mood you’re in, and over the last few months what we’re seeing is an upturn of Australians moving towards streaming horror,” Binge executive director Alison Hurbert-Burns said.

“Our incredible catalogue of the world’s best shows allows bingers to choose what they want – or maybe what they need to watch – whatever mood they’re in.”

TOP HORROR STREAMS ON BINGE:

-The Walking Dead

-The Shining

-American Horror Story: Coven

-Doctor Sleep

-The Lighthouse

-Silent Hill

* News Corp, publisher of this website, is majority owner of Binge