Netflix Data Shows Most People Stream Scary Shows at Night
New data shows many users stream horror television after the sun goes down.
Netflix, though notoriously protective of its user data, announced on Tuesday that scary TV shows like The Walking Dead and Stranger Things are most often streamed late at night. That means many, many people are using Netflix to creep themselves out before bed, which studies show isn’t the best idea.
In a data-heavy press release, Netflix says, “It’s no surprise thrillers like The Walking Dead, Stranger Things and Breaking Bad are being enjoyed in the evening - globally the genre sees a 27 percent increase come 9 p.m.” However, once 11 p.m. rolls around, Netflix users typically switch to stand-up comedy, sitcoms, and animated shows. When those users fall asleep (assumedly), true night owls streaming from midnight to 6 a.m. typically watch documentaries like Planet Earth.
Studies have shown that horror films (and generally scary media) affect our brains in interesting ways. If you’re looking to sleep soundly after binging ten episodes of Rick and Michonne slicing up the undead, you might be in for a troublesome evening. Though it’s thrilling to feel brain chemicals surge in reaction to scary stimuli, those exciting physical reactions aren’t helpful when your body is producing melatonin and wants to sleep.
Just be careful out there, folks. Netflix can make for a weird bedfellow.
See also: Inverse’s regularly updated list of the scariest films of 2017.
