Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films

Nina Nesseth knows what scares you. She also knows why. In 'Nightmare Fuel', Nesseth explores the strange and often unexpected science of fear through the lens of psychology and physiology.

How do horror films get under our skin? What about them keeps us up at night, even days later? And why do we keep coming back for more? Horror films promise an experience: fear. From monsters that hide in plain sight to tension-building scores, every aspect of a horror film is crafted to make your skin crawl.

But how exactly do filmmakers pull this off? The truth is, there's more to it than just loud noises and creepy images.

With the affection of a true horror fan and the critical analysis of a scientist, Nesseth explains how audiences engage horror with both their brains and bodies, and teases apart the elements that make horror films tick.