Many of us feel especially drawn to films that portray intense emotions and feature characters who push through all sorts of difficulties in their lives, significant and insignificant. One reason why many people enjoy watching these types of movies is linked to a psychoanalytic term: catharsis. Catharsis is a way of releasing strong yet repressed negative emotions through another vessel, such as reading tragedies or watching tragic movies.

Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, once said that in tragedy, catharsis would happen only under specific circumstances. The drama (or play, film, etc.) has to have a realistic plot, which the audience can relate to, and a tragic hero. A tragic hero has to be somewhat likable so that the audience feels attached to him. He cannot be perfect; therefore, he possesses a tragic flaw that eventually leads to his downfall. The hero must also be of high status so that his fall is great. The audience would pity the hero because he is a victim of circumstance to a level, and we feel bad that bad things happen out of his control. 

When we watch another character deal with their troubles, we can somehow relate and go through their journey of despair, agony, and healing along with them. Aristotle also once said that we watch these characters suffer so that we won’t have to suffer ourselves. Purging bad emotions by crying while watching sad films allows the audience to destress without actually affecting their own lives. After all, no one enjoys being stressed and having built-up negative emotions. 

The use of the term “catharsis” has even expanded from just referring to the aftereffects of watching sad films.

“The term catharsis has also found a place in everyday language, often used to describe moments of insight or the experience of finding closure,” psychosocial rehabilitation specialist Kendra Cherry said.

The film remake of the famous Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet is a prime example of a tragedy that successfully achieves catharsis in many of its viewers. Romeo satisfies all the requirements for a tragic hero: he is of a high social standing and has a lot to lose; he is charming and clever, but he also is extremely impulsive, which eventually causes him to rashly take his own life before checking to see if Juliet was still alive. The audience is inclined to have a liking towards Romeo because of his upbeat and passionate personality (and attractive appearance), which makes his death even more painful. The deaths of Romeo and Juliet could have been very easily avoided, and the audience pities Romeo for making such a grave error. Watching Romeo and Juliet caused me to feel thankful that my family is peaceful and not too particular about whom I choose to love, and served as a reminder to be calm and collected before making important decisions.

The movie version of the novel The Fault in Our Stars is a tragedy in a more modern setting. The two main characters are largely victims of circumstance, and their downfalls are due to factors they cannot control (medical issues). The audience feels bad for the pair of unlucky lovers because what could have been a long-lasting, amazing relationship turned sour due to uncontrollable complications. Personally, this film made me feel grateful that I was born healthy and without medical drawbacks that hinder what I do in life. 

Although people often cry after watching sad movies, they quickly get over this sadness because films are, after all, fictitious. Thus, we have released our negative emotions over something trivial, but as a result, feel free and happier afterwards.

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