Why Your Girlfriend Wants You to Keep the Halloween Mask on in Bed

I’m not a big fan of horror movies. I hate jump scares, I don’t like imagining what would happen if an antique doll were possessed, and I prefer my houses not haunted. I just don’t get the thrill of being scared. And, so, when October 1 rolls around every year, I never understand why there is an influx of posts on social media that say something to the tune of “the Ghostface mask stays on during sex.” Seriously. Every. Year. But because understanding why people have sex the way they do is my literal job, I decided to do a deep dive on horror, Halloween masks, and how they end up in our bedrooms.

Now, when I see these posts, they typically include people wanting a partner to wear a Scream Ghostface mask or a Halloween Michael Myers mask. If you’ve seen either of these movies (or just don’t live under a rock), you’d know that neither of these characters are inherently “sexy.” But sex therapist and sexologist Suzannah Weiss explains that this isn’t necessarily the point.

“Some people explore certain sexual kinks to enhance arousal, while for others, it is more about the creativity, excitement, or emotional value,” she says. “While there are undoubtedly people who get turned on by Michael Myers masks, this trend is often more for the latter purpose. People enjoy the novelty, weirdness, and humor of it as well as the festive spirit around Halloween.”

Plus, for people who do actually enjoy horror movies, think about what goes on in your body: When you’re watching a horror movie, you have a certain physiological response. Typically, this means releasing adrenaline and norepinephrine. This “fight-or-flight” feeling you get while watching Scream, for example, actually mirrors some of the same physical traits of sexual arousal.

“Evoking a horror trope can lead to a physiologically excited state that enhances sexual arousal and pleasure for some,” Weiss says.

Key word: “some.” For someone like me, having a partner wear a horror movie mask in bed is far from a turn on, whereas someone else may thoroughly enjoy it. This is why it’s always important to have a conversation about trying something new in bed, and working out consent and a potential safe word.

There is something about the mystery and darkness of a villain that turns some people on—especially if that character also has supernatural strength or power.

^{—Sex Therapist Suzannah Weiss}

Also, having a conversation about wearing a mask in bed can help you figure out what it is about the scenario that might turn you and your partner on. Sure—as Weiss says—there’s a pure physical response to horror movies, but there could be something else going on.

You know how people have certain “hear me outs”? Like when people make an argument for why they think Shrek is hot? Or for me, Scar from The Lion King? (You know you agree). Well, the same thinking could be used for Michael Myers.

“Horror movie character masks can also carry a certain appeal if someone grew up watching that movie and feeling attracted to the actor or character,” Weiss says. “There is something about the mystery and darkness of a villain that turns some people on—especially if that character also has supernatural strength or power.”

And for some people, it doesn’t even matter what kind of mask they have on. Like with any sort of role play, the mask can just serve as an opportunity to step outside of themselves and be someone new for the night.

“Wearing a mask can enhance sex by creating a sense of mystery and reducing self-consciousness in the mask wearer—some people feel insecure about the faces they make during sex, and a mask eliminates these,” Weiss explains. There‘s no pressure on either person to make eye contact. And because of this, it might be easier to get lost in the experience and sensations.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of having sex with Ghostface, but don’t know exactly how to explain that to your partner, Halloween is a great time to bring the conversation up. Weiss suggests just sending one of those posts or videos to your partner and gauging how they feel about trying it together.

It might even start off as a joke—and that may even be better for you too.

“It's bound to feel silly,” Weiss says. Instead of getting into your head about how silly the whole thing is, embrace that it might be funny or goofy at first—but that doesn’t mean it can’t turn into a really fun and sexy experience.

“You may be surprised by how quickly laughs can turn into moans and groans.”

If you and your partner are horror movie lovers (or just lovers of a new sexual experience), ask them how they’d feel about going to bed with Pennywise from It. You just might have the best sex of your life.

And if you’re a little bit of a scaredy cat like I am, feel free to use Halloween as a way to try some new role play anyway. Have sex as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine or Daphne and Velma.