ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes three mechanisms that could explain the counterintuitive appeal. One is a grief reaction about the loss of a loved one or other significant losses that the film activates in the viewer’s mind. Second, viewers obtain comfort and consolation by experiencing a parasocial empathy, in which they perceive that they are recipients of empathy emanating from the experience of the liked and cared-about movie character with whom they have developed a parasocial relationship. Third, spreading activation via rapid cognitive attentional switching is implicated in this process. Grieving is necessary and beneficial. Grief that is not addressed or that is impeded can be debilitating and hazardous to one’s health. Parasocial empathy affords the film viewer a similar sense of comfort and consolation. While exhibiting pain and suffering, the film character might also be modeling perseverance, fidelity to a loved one or a goal, or the stoic forbearance of pain, suffering, and heartache.
