While horror has plenty of room for slashers, it's the religiously-fueled cases that can sometimes hit home the most, especially if done right.
Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for The Conjuring series and Midnight MassSince Bram Stoker wrote Dracula, Christian symbolism and iconography have littered the horror landscape. Horror films that rely heavily on religion, such as The Exorcist, are a certain breed that can authentically share compelling tales of faith and truth.
Faith: A Shield or a Sword? The Conjuring makes it clear from the get-go that Catholic demonologists Ed Warren and his wife Lorraine , like their real-life counterparts, only use their expertise to educate and protect others. They believe it to be their sworn duty as Christians to not only prove the supernatural but defend those oppressed by the evil side of it. But what makes Ed and Lorraine truly stand out is their spiritual integrity.
While Midnight Mass protagonists Riley Flynn and Erin Greene are meant to be the stars of the show, it’s the deceivingly old Father Paul Hill and the overbearing zealot Bev Keane who stand beside St. Patrick's Church most often, though not because they're close with the good Lord.
Falling From Grace While Father Paul is simply misguided, Midnight Mass' resident nut Bev Keane purposely quotes more scripture out of context than any bad prosperity preacher out there. All she cares about is power, and it shows. Her shallow "faith" does nothing good for her or anyone else, and her disdain for others results only in bigoted comments, power grabs, and even the killing of a dog.
Deliver Us From Evil While the Bible may have a lot to say about not using faith to bring others under bondage , it also says that temptations and trials will inevitably come. As Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days in the wilderness, the characters in The Conjuring and Midnight Mass are no strangers to trials themselves. Throughout The Conjuring 2, Lorraine's connection with the demon Nun Valak throws her for a loop.
The Good News Although Midnight Mass is a tragic tale that results in almost an entire island of people burning alive at the end, there are still positive takeaways. While it's clear that series creator Mike Flanagan is working through his own history with religion, the main instigator of all this pain, Father Paul, eventually comes to his senses.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DHS Warns Of Potential Copycat Attacks After Hostage Standoff At Colleyville SynagogueThe official ticked off a list of possible threats: 'Mass shootings, using vehicles, knife attacks.'
Read more »
Air Force Ordered To Pay More Than $230M In 2017 Texas Church ShootingA federal judge ruled Monday that the Force failed to flag a conviction that might have kept a gunman from legally buying a weapon used to kill more than two dozen people.
Read more »
Opinion | Check out the lies told at the National Prayer BreakfastPresident Biden’s kudos to Sen. McConnell were galling, but the real question is, why do our elected officials even participate in the National Prayer Breakfast?
Read more »
A Warrior Tests Her Strength in WILLOW's Black Shield Maiden 1st Lookio9 has a first look at the musician and activist's debut novel, which arrives this fall and kicks off a new medieval fantasy series.
Read more »
Migrant Families Have Right to Truth Commission and Reparations for Abuses at US BorderThe children and families who were victims of family separation have the right to full measures of accountability, reparations and restorative justice.
Read more »
Rogue black hole spotted on its own for the first timeThe isolated stellar-mass black hole is the first of its kind ever detected, scientists say.
Read more »