Many of the most popular and critically acclaimed horror films feature grief as a central theme. This article argues that horror films are especially suited to portraying and communicating the phenomenology of grief. We explore two overlapping claims. First, horror is well suited to represent the experience of grief, in particular because the disruptive effects of horror “monsters” on protagonists mirror the core experience of disruption that accompanies bereavement. Second, horror offers ways in which the experience of grief can be contained and regulated and, in doing so, may offer psychological benefits for the bereaved. While our focus will be squarely on film, much of what we say applies to other media.

许多最受欢迎和广受好评的恐怖电影都以悲伤为中心主题。本文认为恐怖片特别适合描绘和传达悲伤的现象。我们探讨了两个重叠的主张。首先，恐怖非常适合代表悲伤的体验，特别是因为恐怖“怪物”对主角的破坏性影响反映了伴随丧亲之痛的核心破坏体验。其次，恐怖提供了可以控制和调节悲伤体验的方法，并且这样做可以为失去亲人的人带来心理上的好处。虽然我们的重点将完全放在电影上，但我们所说的大部分内容都适用于其他媒体。