The Pit and the Pendulum

The dominant emotional responses for 'The Pit and the Pendulum' (1991) are heavily skewed towards negative and intense feelings, reflecting its horror genre and the grim plot set during the Spanish Inquisition. Audiences primarily experience **Fear** and **Anxiety** due to the constant threat of torture and the oppressive atmosphere. The graphic nature of the Inquisition's methods elicits strong feelings of **Disturbing** and **Disgust**. **Sadness** and **Empathy** are prominent for Maria's suffering and her husband's desperate attempts to save her, while **Anger** is directed at the cruel Torquemada and the injustice of the situation. Although categorized as 'Romance', the 'Love' element primarily serves as the tragic motivation for the husband's actions, overshadowed by the pervasive horror and despair.