Why do we spend vast amounts of money each year to watch violence? Within the past several years, people have spent money to see some of the greatest violent portrayals ever created. Consider the following several movies: Hostel, Saw, 300, The Matrix, The Passion of the Christ, Nightmare on Elm Street, and the list goes on.
It seems strange that we would want to see such barbarity. I believe that we enjoy seeing violence in movies, in stories, on television, etc. because it is an outlet. People like seeing it because it exists on the fringe of reality.
I think we also enjoy the good vs. evil dichotomy. Anyone who has ever watched an action movie has certainly rooted for the “good guy” (or the bad guy if that is the intent). In “Indiana Jones”, we are constantly rooting for the hero. We admire his abilities and see justice in the use of his violence. He is violent and remains within our perception of positive social conduct. When he uses violence it is perceived as good, exciting, an escape, and it is why we are willing to pay $7 for a chance to see it.
Whether this is a positive outlet is debatable. It creates a mindset of apathy and desensitizes individuals towards violent behavior. Certainly, violent movies are not the sole influence of violence, but it makes it seem more tolerable in contemporary society.
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