Film is a positive and necessary type of entertainment. There is a vast variety of film genres, and violent, adult-rated movies – which focus primarily on violence – are among them. There are some individuals who think that violent films are detrimental to society because they influence viewers to become aggressive. Conversely, others argue that media violence is not an issue since human violence existed long before the invention of cinema.
I agree with this perspective to some extent. It is undeniable that exposing oneself to violent movies can negatively impact a person’s psychology. However, if an individual watches them in moderation, these negative effects are unlikely to alter their mindset. That being said, in exceptional cases involving potential psychopaths or individuals who already harbor violent tendencies, watching these graphic films can exacerbate their aggressive behavior.
In the past, cinematic violence did exist, but it typically took the form of a clear moral conflict between a protagonist and an antagonist. As a result, audiences rationalized that it was acceptable to use force against wrongdoers; furthermore, these movies lacked severe gore or overly bloody scenes because censor boards routinely removed them. In the modern era, however, censor boards rarely cut content, choosing instead to categorize films into mature classifications like R or A-ratings. Intense films like John Wick or the Saw franchise can potentially push susceptible individuals toward extremist mindsets. The Saw series, for instance, explicitly depicts intricate torture equipment being used on human beings, often justifying the cruelty by portraying the victims as villains. Ultimately, many contemporary movies focus almost exclusively on violence, yet audiences remain highly drawn to this genre.
In conclusion, violent films can leave a negative psychological impact on viewers, even when the aggression is directed at a malicious character. Despite these risks, audiences should be free to experience both violent and non-violent cinema to vary their entertainment choices and balance their mood. Furthermore, statistically, very few people commit real-world crimes solely because they consumed violent media.