This book investigates the evolutionary mechanisms that drive human fascination with horror and the psychological appeal of simulated fear. Mathias Clasen, a scholar specializing in the study of horror, utilizes an evolutionary social science framework to analyze why audiences seek out frightening media. He argues that horror functions as a form of adaptive play, allowing individuals to practice threat detection and emotional regulation within a controlled, safe environment.

Experts in the field of media psychology recognize this work as a significant contribution to the evolutionary study of entertainment. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which balances rigorous scientific theory with accessible film criticism.