Gore impacts adults and children differently; mental health experts share how

Karan Johar’s Kill has got the Internet abuzz with controversy, claiming to be India’s most violent film. We know all about true crime and its solid fanbase in the country and beyond, but gore takes it up a notch with its aggressive violence and characteristic bloodshed.

Indianexpress.com spoke to therapists and understood how gore has a different impact on adults and youngsters, and what can be done to reduce the damage.

Srishti Vatsa, counselling psychologist, described horror and gore films as being made for the sole purpose of provoking emotions such as tension, fear, stress, and shock.

“This releases hormones in the body such as cortisol, and adrenaline resulting in increased heart rate, and muscle tension. Those who find such movies enjoyable would just compare the movie to a roller coaster ride i.e. just an adrenaline rush,” she said.

She explained how even though our brains know the threats on screen are fictional, our bodies react as if they’re real. “For people with existing anxiety, their stress response might misinterpret the on-screen dangers as real threats. The long-term consequences of exposure to gore can be a little concerning,” she added.

“Watching gore content can activate the amygdala and release stress hormones in the body. Amygdala is a part of the brain, which regulates emotions. Exposure to violence and gore can trigger responses like fear, anxiety, aggression and even depression,” shared Juhi Pandey, Psychologist, Mpower.

Karan Johar’s Kill is set to release on 5th July. (Source: Instagram/Karan Johar)

So, what exactly happens to us?

Pandey said that some feel the effect immediately after watching such content, characterised by restlessness and anxiety.

Vatsa shared that repeated exposure to violent scenes can lead to the development of new phobias. “We all know that there is an entire generation of adults who are traumatised by the movies like Final Destination and cannot drive behind a truck carrying logs or iron bars,” she said.

According to her, people who watch horror and gory films find it harder to sleep.

“If we talk about Indian cinema, they have a problem of glorifying violence and hero worship. All action by the hero is shown as justification of violence, celebrating violence because it reinforces our hope that, in the end, good will triumph over evil. There is no outrage because it is a hero vs. villain scene,” Vatsa added.

Children and teenagers are more prone to get affected by gore than adults, thus it becomes important to be mindful of the impact of such content and seek help if needed, said Pandey.

How is it different for children?

According to Vatsa, children are extremely vulnerable, as their brains are still developing the ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. Thus, exposure to violence in children can cause lasting emotional distress and hinder their growth.

“Usually in households where tv consumption is a joint activity, even if the parents are fond of watching horror, they will have to be cognizant that this distress can impact the child in the long term, and not assume that the child doesn’t understand anything,” she said.

She further explained that children can develop anxiety issues and fears like that of the dark or being alone. “Research has also proven that exposure to violent audiovisuals can desensitize children to violence and make them more prone to aggressive behavior.”

What’s the solution?

To watch safely, Vatsa considers is important to monitor how horror movies are making you feel. “Notice how you feel the following day and the impact on sleep. Know what you can tolerate, decide and set limits to what you are willing to tolerate,” she said.

She also encouraged people to recognise whether they are watching the movie out of peer pressure and choose to give importance to your mental well-being. “It is also important to assess your current state of emotions and be mindful not to get into binge-watching,” she said.

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