What makes a ‘feel-good’ movie, according to science?
Most movie fans are familiar with those moments when we’re comfortably settled in, experiencing the highs and lows of a captivating film as it manages to strike all the right chords, leaving us with a heightened sense of joy. There are many ‘feel-good’ films available, but what is the actual science that underpins this surge of screen-induced dopamine? According to researchers, it’s a confluence of various factors.
While we all know that feel-good movies, the cinematic elixirs that lift our spirits and leave us with a warm glow, have an undeniable charm, there are an endless list of films that have such impact, from Bridget Jones’s Diary and 13 Going On 30 to Mama Mia. However, while these movies can evoke positive emotions, they leave a certain level of intrigue as to the exact science and magic behind such a powerful mood enhancer.
At a basic level, feel-good films are adept at manipulating our brain chemistry, triggering the release of neurotransmitters associated with happiness and pleasure. Dopamine, often referred to as the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter, is released during moments of joy and reward. When we watch heartwarming scenes or witness characters triumph over adversity, our brains respond by releasing dopamine, creating a sense of happiness and contentment.
Moreover, the power of oxytocin, often dubbed the ‘love hormone’ or ‘bonding hormone’, plays a crucial role. Feel-good films often emphasise themes of love, friendship, and human connection, leading to an increased production of oxytocin. This hormone fosters feelings of warmth and connection, intensifying the emotional resonance of the film.
According to research, there are certain films that serve as exemplars of such filmic capability. Within these movies, a group of researchers from the Max Planck Society identified specific characteristics that contribute to the uplifting nature of feel-good films. Their findings indicate that these movies often incorporate humour, feature a classic happy ending, and adhere to certain recurring plots and character archetypes.
According to the study, a common narrative pattern in feel-good films involves an outsider embarking on a quest for love. Throughout the storyline, these characters demonstrate resilience, overcoming challenges and adversities, ultimately earning acceptance within the community. This familiar narrative structure appears to be a key element in the formula that elicits positive emotions from audiences.
Simultaneously, these characteristics are frequently situated within a fairy-tale backdrop, adding another customary facet to the genre that significantly enhances its perceived lightheartedness. For instance, just as various elements of a song may trigger happiness within our minds, the amalgamation of these factors collectively defines the essence of a feel-good film.
Specific films that these researchers point to as eliciting the utmost feel-good factor encompass titles like Love, Actually, Pretty Woman, Amélie, and The Intouchables. These films allegedly demonstrate all of the content-related and formal traits that films must possess to elicit a particularly positive emotional response from audiences. In its most simplistic terms, feel-good films are feel-good because they tap into our deepest emotions.
