Are the most intense scenes in “Nosferatu,” “Anora” and “Babygirl” supposed to be funny? If not, why are people cracking up? Credit...Illustration by Vartika Sharma; photographs by Getty Images ...

The word "cringe" has had a surprisingly long and dramatic journey. It began in Old English as cringan, meaning to bend, crouch, or yield, usually in fear or submission. Over time, the physical act ...