Do you laugh or do you scream at horror flicks?

[trekgeezer]

Your reaction may be dictated by genetics.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2535221/Horror-film-gene-that-makes-some-scream-while-others-laugh.html

[Psycho Circus]

People do both tho'.

I've only ever truly been scared to death by horror films on 3 occasions;
Blair Witch, Amityville 4 & Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Rest of the time I watched with intrigue and interest e.g. Hellraiser, Halloween.

Laugh my ass of at; Rawhead Rex (when he kills that kid! ) freddy k, house, witchboard and anything based on Stephen King novels.

Silly scientists...

[Torgo]

It depends on the horror film itself. 

Depending on the approach to the particular material, I can laugh or recoil at a horror film.  But it takes a lot (a whole lot actually) to unnerve me.

Like the recent  French film called Inside, I was almost covering my eyes at part of it as it was one of the most twisted, sick, depraved and violent (though brilliant) horror films I've seen recently (though some classify it as a thriller, it's one of the most brutally horrific films I've seen in recent memory). 

[Patient7]

Hmmmmmmm, I'm guessing that there was just one scientist who got scared all the time so he faked this experiment than just said to people who made fun of him, "It's not my fault, it's genetic.  In fact, I'm actually higher on the evolutionary ladder than you are."

[Trevor]

Your reaction may be dictated by genetics.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2535221/Horror-film-gene-that-makes-some-scream-while-others-laugh.html

My Mom went to see the original House of Wax way back when: her boyfriend at the time was called out of the cinema and during a very scary scene, he came behind her and grabbed her shoulders, making her scream and also the entire cinema audience. End of relationship. 

[Allhallowsday]

There were a few Horror flicks that frightened me.  TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE scared the p!ss outta me, but I don't think it will do that again (have not really looked at the thing in nearly 30 years - and I do think it's a masterpiece.)  When I was very young, FRANKENSTEIN was so bleached out creaky freaky and THE HAUNTING (which I've seen too many times) is the scariest ghost movie I've seen... THE INNOCENTS ranks... CARNIVAL OF SOULS a favorite of mine, works only once (and I was very young.)  But, I "jump" when startled, I don't think I ever screamed...

I do not equate becoming distraught or physically uncomfortable with fear.  There are some films that are just hard to look at; LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is the best of that lot, and I loathe them all.  (You know, brutal rape, animal torture, endlessly pointless mutilation, real death...) 

That all being said, I find now that I'm older, I laugh at Horror films.  Especially if it was a particularly cool scene. 

[Doc Daneeka]

Hmmmmmmm, I'm guessing that there was just one scientist who got scared all the time so he faked this experiment than just said to people who made fun of him, "It's not my fault, it's genetic.  In fact, I'm actually higher on the evolutionary ladder than you are."

Yeah, sure it was "gravity" Isaac, you're just mad you got hit in the head

Personally, though I can keep my cool during horror films I like to let myself get scared, usually defeats the purpose to laugh IMO, some good filmmakers may have put a lot of effort into writing and directing the film for the express purpose of scaring someone, and I like to experience their intended effect.

Back to "letting myself" get scared. It's about two things: "Being oblivious", and being "there"; Maybe there's gonna be an obvious jump scare? I ask myself "What could happen??", put myself in the shoes of someone completely new to horror movies... If stuff like that doesn't work, I try and put myself in a character's mind, obviously (unless it's a typical horror sequel) they haven't experienced something like what's on the screen before.

[trekgeezer]

I can remember hiding my face a lot as a kid, but the only time I ever uttered anything audible was when I was 24 and at midnight showing of Alien when it first came out. Thing is it wasn't the alien that evoked my reaction, but the scened where Yaphet Koto knocks Ian Holm's head off with the fire extinguisher.  I think I yelled "Holy s**t" or something to that effect.

Now I do find myself laughing at some of the horror films.  I pretty much avoid, slasher flicks and torture porn.

[JJ80]

I'm not generally frightened by horror films possibly because I'm too interested in special effects. I still like them a lot though. One thing that does get me is the sudden 'jump' scare or short sharp shock. Too much buildup can ultimately kill off any suspense and the end effect ultimately and inevitably disappoints.

[AllisonSNLKid]

Depends on the movie, especially if there is a jump scare in the making.