Make-believe games for survival in the self-reflexive slasher horror

Key Points

• The research examines the relationship between horror films and viewers, focusing on the concept of make-believe and its role in societal survival.
• Analyzes aesthetic distance in horror films with respect to viewers' engagement.
• Applies Kendall Walton's theory to explore the paradox of fiction in slasher films.
• Examines the Scream series to illustrate active participation in fictional narratives.
• Demonstrates that horror engages viewers in a survival game reflecting real-world unpredictability.
• Shows that the Scream franchise enhances immersion in fictional experiences rather than diminishing them.
• Argues that slasher films serve as a commentary on contemporary hyper-mediated society.

Abstract