10 Films Which Exploit Common Phobias

By D.M. Anderson /

3. The King€™s Speech (Glossophobia)

Considering the physical horrors which dominate this list, The King€™s Speech might initially seem out of place. How could an Oscar-winning English drama possibly share space with the likes of Final Destination? The answer is simple€ fear of public speaking is more common than any other phobia on this list, and it doesn€™t matter that glossophobia is the one affliction mentioned where death isn€™t among the possible outcomes. Even the most self-confident individual feels a bit of anxiety when speaking before a group of people who don€™t know them personally. An individual with a chronic stammer must feel such panic tenfold. The King€™s Speech exploits this fear to the nth degree during the agonizing climax, where King George VI (Colin Firth) is well-aware all of Great Britain is listening to his radio address during a key moment in WWII history. Despite the uplifting outcome, if that scenario doesn€™t send glossophobes running to the hills, nothing will.