Excessive free time creates an unhealthy horror movie fascination

When I sat down with my family to watch “Annabelle: Creation” over winter break, I never could have imagined the magnificent impact it would have on my future. 

The movie tells the story of the Mullins family, who lose their daughter in an accident. Years later, they invite orphaned girls into their house, but when one girl opens the door to a forbidden room, the family discovers a world of evil and possession. 

The following day, I found myself watching “Annabelle Comes Home.” By the end of the week, I had also watched “The Conjuring,” a complicated story of possession, curses and evil forces;  “Insidious” and “Insidious: Chapter 2,” which are both about the Lambert family moving into a seemingly possessed house; and “Insidious: Chapter 3,” where a teenage girl attempts to contact her late mother. 

I know how it sounds, but I promise I don’t have an addiction to horror movies. There’s just something about spending time with your family on a cozy, restful night, watching a possessed woman getting thrown around the room.

Months ago, I had absolutely no interest in watching horror movies. I had seen a couple before, but when given the choice, I’d have much rather watched “The Office” for the hundredth time. But gradually, as I watched more and more horror movies because of my newfound free time as a second semester senior, I began to appreciate them more as I became more invested in the storylines. 

Over winter break, my fascination reached a peak. I forced my entire family (including my dog, who, understandably, hates the sounds of horror movies) to watch at least one to two horror films with me every night. 

“Annabelle: Creation” was our first. As with any good horror movie, it ended on a cliffhanger. Right after the movie ended, I ran to my room and went on Wikipedia to find that there are three films centered around Annabelle: “Annabelle: Creation,” “Annabelle” and “Annabelle Comes Home.” 

After researching a little more, I discovered The Conjuring Universe, composed of the three “Annabelle” movies, three movies from “The Conjuring” series and two breakout films, “The Nun” and “The Curse of La Llorona.”

With that, I was sucked into the mysterious world of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators featured in most of the films. 

“Annabelle Comes Home” focuses on the Warrens’ daughter. When their work life collides with their home life, they find their daughter endangered by possessed dolls. 

Time and time again, the narratives and plot twists hidden behind jump scares and suspenseful music caught my attention and left me wanting more.

I have yet to watch “The Nun” and “The Curse of La Llorona,” which I hope to watch soon, along with “The Silence of the Lambs and Carrie.” 

If you’re reading this, give horror movies a chance — they make one heck of a mind-twister. And if you don’t, who knows what Annabelle might do to you.