Prohibited to minors, Terrifier 3 arrives in theaters tomorrow. Can you be traumatized by a horror film?

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)

And

Johanna Rozenblum (clinical psychologist)

Want to shiver as Halloween approaches? You can go to the cinema. This October 9th actually comes out Terrify 3directed by Damien Leone, the third part of a franchise where a sadistic clown takes pleasure in torturing his world.

The first film banned in France for under-18s since 2006

To support the film, however, you will have to have a strong heart. Terrify 3is in fact the first film in twenty years to be banned for under-18s in France. The reason? Bloody and perverse scenes that can shock. At a preview on Friday in the United Kingdom, ten people left the theater feeling unwell less than ten minutes into the screening and one fainted.

While the previous part was prohibited for those under 16, the Classification Committee took the decision to prohibit the film to minors, to anticipate the damage. What distributors regret.

“Terrifier 3 is an arthouse film in the purest tradition of the so-called slasher genre, with perfectly grand-guignolesque and unrealistic violence”they indicate. “The film never takes itself seriously, and we know that spectators will have all the distance, all the maturity necessary to understand and apprehend this artistic approach.” Are we sure?

What are the physical effects of a scary movie?

Can we really feel physical discomfort at the sight of a distressing (and bloody) scene? Yes, for our medical director and emergency physician, Dr. Gérald Kierzek, who tells us about the physical effects encountered in front of the screen.

“Faced with a scary film, the body is not inert. The level of adrenaline and cortisol increases, accelerating the pulse and blood pressure. The eyes adapt and the pupil dilates to be more alert. Sweating is also increased, particularly in the hands, due to the activation of the sweat glands. Finally, the calorie loss would be comparable to a 30-minute walk.

Strong sensations sought after

But as one can imagine, it is mainly psychological effects that can emerge when watching a horror film. And they are not only harmful:

“Many of us have a fascination with the macabre,” reacts Johanna Rozenblum, and for good reason, “Being scared, being afraid, generates an adrenaline rush! This allows you to feel very strong emotions. It’s a way to stimulate yourself. It should be added that these are rarely films that one watches alone. There is often a group dynamic, a sort of motivation to take up the challenge of exposing ourselves to horror together.

A powerful effect that our doctor also validates: “To be afraid is also to allow a release of dopamine And serotonin providing a feeling of paradoxical pleasure. At the end of the film, the feeling of relief often causes a state of relaxation.

But a sensitivity to take into account

But these films should not be put before everyone’s eyes, experts warn.

“We must pay attention to sleep disorders (excitement can make it difficult to fall asleep), increased anxiety in predisposed or sensitive people, or even vagal-type discomfort in people who are particularly sensitive to emotions”, recalls Dr. Kierzek.

“Depending on sensitivity, personal history and age of exposure to violent images, there may be after-effects relating to traumatic symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, hyper vigilance, etc.). Also, it is not neutral to see this kind of film, you have to think about it and not let yourself be absorbed by the group”, also warns our psychologist.

It’s up to you to see what you can endure, without blinking.