Something about Halloween has turned from frightening to frisky. Whether it be the nurse’s outfits with the miniskirts intended to excite, or the way people on the internet get scarily fond of a certain fictional killer, the culture around this spooky holiday has certainly changed in the modern world.
A couple of years ago, it was Ghostface from “Scream,” a TikTok trend of people pretending to be killed and stabbed by the fictional murderer accompanied by comments about how they’d love to be in their place. This year, though, it seems as if we’ve transitioned to Art The Clown of the “Terrifier” series. Whoever it be, the love for these horror villains seems to be never-ending.
Apparently, there’s a scientific reason these actors playing all of their spooky roles may have such an effect on the watcher.
“Overall,” Botond László Kiss, from nature.com’s article on the subject says, “we found that higher levels of perceived fearfulness, reality and morbid curiosity can cause higher excitement and enjoyment in the case of horror. Scenes that participants perceived as more real and fearful were more exciting and enjoyable, possibly because they were causing a greater increase in arousal.”
Despite this study of sorts, it seems some slasher fanatics disagree with why they find themselves drawn to fictional murders.
“I feel like I want to know their story,” Colleen Rizzo, student and horror lover says. “They’re more interesting … I find myself rooting for them!”
Costumes flying off the shelves, becoming your favorite mysterious characters can be just as exciting as raving about them through a keyboard or biting your nails as you watch the newest addition to the franchise. On the streets this Halloween, people will be in all sorts of costumes – the aforementioned Ghostface, or another horror icon, Michael Myers, or even the non copyright infringing costumes such as scary nun or black cat.
There’s many costumes above the surface, the women’s section being of particular interest and controversy to some. Near costumes like Minecraft Steve, or inflatable unicorns, there’s sexy nuns in prayer and cowgirls ready to mount horses.
“I think if it’s too revealing it could be weird,” Ariana Reyes, who is going as Raven from “Teen Titans” for Halloween says, “especially with people our age wearing them.”
Some could argue for an ethical debate, particularly with the nun costumes, or really any such religious costumes.
With clothing made specifically to unsexualize oneself, it certainly does put the ethics into question on whether or not it’s alright to wear things based on other’s beliefs, especially when being done with a lack of tact.
“I don’t wanna shame anyone, wear what you want to wear, but I think it’s kind of weird with the sexualized religious stuff,” Ilse Ortega, MCHS student says. “A lot of the traditionally religious clothing has very important meaning to those who find themselves in said religion. The nun stuff is definitely pretty gross, in my opinion.”
No one is here to shame people for wearing what they would like, though in a culture as obsessed with modesty and purity, it seems that some of us don’t mind leaving that behind on October’s best day.
While discussing oversexualized and generally provocative costumes, though, people often shame the wearer. It’s perfectly alright to morally disagree, but at the end of the day, the one wearing it is the one who makes their own decisions.
Regardless of what you think, it seems Halloween and the culture around it is feeling rather rowdy nowadays with folks sashaying around in their risque costumes and pop culture obsessing over the most recent slasher man with a big weapon.