Why We Love Horror: Faith, Fear and the Stories That Scare Us | Kutter Callaway

Why are we drawn to stories that frighten us? And can horror help us understand something meaningful about faith, evil, and the human condition?

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, host Sochi Azuh speaks with Kutter Callaway, theologian, psychologist, and author of Be Afraid, about our fascination with horror and what scary stories can reveal about ourselves.

Kutter holds two PhDs, in theology and psychological science, and teaches theology, culture, and psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary. His work explores the intersection of faith and popular culture, including film, television, and online media.

Drawing on psychology, theology, and film, Kutter explains why people seek out frightening stories, how fictional fear can help us rehearse responses to danger, and why stories often need darkness to make the light—and the possibility of transformation—meaningful.

We explore his argument that horror can be a theological form of storytelling. Rather than simply celebrating fear or violence, some horror stories invite us to confront uncomfortable truths about evil, suffering, complicity, and the things we should genuinely be concerned about.

We also discuss:

Why people enjoy being frightened by fictional stories

The difference between horror and psychological thrillers

What horror stories can teach us about evil and the human condition

Why some Christians are wary of horror—and what they might be missing

How monsters can represent the fears and anxieties of a society

What makes a horror story compelling beyond shock value and gore

How films such as The Exorcist, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Babadook illuminate different dimensions of fear

How to take care of our minds and imaginations when consuming disturbing media

Kutter’s recommendations for exploring horror and its deeper themes

And, of course, we get personal. Kutter reveals the fictional monster that still unsettles him, the horror film that changed how he thinks about fear, and whether he could survive a horror movie.

We end with the question at the heart of Lead with Storytelling: Why do stories matter?

🎙️ Watch the full conversation and join us as we explore the stories that frighten us—and what they might help us see.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about books, film, faith, culture, and storytelling, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who cares about why stories matter.

About the guest:

Kutter Callaway is the William K. Brehm Chair of Worship, Theology, and the Arts, and an associate professor of theology and culture and psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of Be Afraid, Deep Focus, The Aesthetics of Atheism, Watching TV Religiously, and Scoring Transcendence, and host of the Be Afraid podcast.

Be Afraid Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/48ApFZbBQqjd5Dxj5uPK6A

Buy the Book: https://www.ivpress.com/be-afraid

About Lead with Storytelling:

Hosted by Sochi Azuh, Lead with Storytelling explores why stories matter and how they shape the way we think, create, lead, and connect.

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