Watching Horror Movies

[Anglic9823]

Do you think its ok for a Christian to watch Horror films?
I do sometimes in the knowledge that they are not real but there was on that made me scared of satan, Hereditary. It explored the occult and for the first time ever I felt genuinley scared of satan even though I knew God was with me. It got to some points where I had to avoid looking at occult images and cover my ears to block out the chants that were appearing on screen.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that are there some films a good Chrisitian should never watch and are there some that ok? Let me know your opinions

Take care and God bless

 

[SarahsKnight]

Do you think its ok for a Christian to watch Horror films?
I do sometimes in the knowledge that they are not real but there was on that made me scared of satan, Hereditary. It explored the occult and for the first time ever I felt genuinley scared of satan even though I knew God was with me. It got to some points where I had to avoid looking at occult images and cover my ears to block out the chants that were appearing on screen.

I myself am what most people would call a horror fan, but certain subject matters cross the line for me personally and make me uncomfortable, especially in the intensity with which the matter is represented in the film/game/book/etc.

It seems to me that this is what happened to you with Hereditary. It genuinely scared you, and not in the good way as in the experience of vicariously "conquering the Dark", so to speak, and feeling a thrill over it when no real harm can come to you (because of course you are just watching a movie, playing a game, and so forth while safely in your own home and there's no real evil force stalking or chasing you or something). You were not comfortable with it at all, it sounds like, and the terror was real to you because you believe in a God of ultimate Good and thus things like Satanic and demonic images and chants would naturally repulse you in some way. Personally, that is pretty much the reason I have avoided ever watching The Exorcist, despite its acclaim, and despite my being quite the veteran of the horror genre, because the subject matter is just too real to me as a believer in Jesus Christ and "hits too close to home". Hopefully you get the gist of what I mean by that, because I myself don't really know how to better word it. Point is ultimately, that you should not be asking us what is and isn't acceptable behavior when it comes to hobbies and interests for a person of the Christian faith, because you've indicated pretty heavily in your OP post that you had a genuinely bad and unpleasant experience with this movie Hereditary (I only vaguely know of it, but it sounds like something I would personally be averse to, as well), and therefore, it seems to me that this would be sin to you. It's possible it might not be for someone else, but, if you continue to do what you already know to be an offense to yourself, such as this movie you've spoken of, then it would seem to me that you sin in the so-doing (or, of course, if you do this willfully when you know that it is a stumbling block to a fellow believer - the Good Book says, after all, that we should have a care when it comes to our weaker brethren). This is my opinion, in this particular case it is a sin because you yourself seem to find it a sin, an offense of sorts; there's genuinely no redeeming value at all in watching such a film for you. So try to use that same personal criteria - aside from, of course, the obvious in which no Christian should ever want to partake in watching a movie or reading a book that flat out, belligerently mocks or maligns the God and Christ that we believe in - in the future when choosing what to watch/read/play/etc. in the horror genre. If you suspect that there would be allusions to Evil and Satanism and so forth that would seriously disgust or repel you in the movie, then simply avoid it.

 

[angelsaroundme]

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." - 1 Corinthians 6:12

I wouldn't recommend Hereditary to anyone. The movie is an almost entirely negative experience from the beginning to the end. Even if you take out the occult stuff, it's just family arguing and fighting.

Some horror movies are much better than others. However, particularly in the last couple years, many depict humanity in the worst possible light. You won't be left feeling good after them. Your time would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Sheila Davis]

Do you think its ok for a Christian to watch Horror films?
I do sometimes in the knowledge that they are not real but there was on that made me scared of satan, Hereditary. It explored the occult and for the first time ever I felt genuinley scared of satan even though I knew God was with me. It got to some points where I had to avoid looking at occult images and cover my ears to block out the chants that were appearing on screen.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that are there some films a good Chrisitian should never watch and are there some that ok? Let me know your opinions

Take care and God bless

I love horror movies, I have since I was knee-high. I find myself thinking what would God do / generally good always overcomes the evil in horror films. I feel at ease with horror movies.

I had a step brother who wouldn't allow his family to watch horror films - he felt they were demonic influence.

Some people are more impressionable than others, some people should not watch horror films nor violent films - while others can and see see as a good or poor film.

If you are not comfortable you shouldn't.

Romans 14:1-3 I believe that refers to many things in life than just meat one of which would be how God would feel about watching horror stories.

And I agree that there are some things that Christians should not watch - pornography definitely is and far to many of the films they have today are what could be called soft porn. Often I find it bothers me to see how things are changing and what was private is now done public and I turn away or go do something else until those scenes are over with.

Continue to talk with the Lord and ask him for guidance on that issue.

 

[SK_Brace]

I used to be an avid horror movie watcher even when I was a Christian, I rarely watch horror movies now but still watch thriller movies that are slightly scary.

Anyways horror was my favourite genre to watch because of the thrill, I loved to get scared and in my mind, it was essentially the same as riding a rollercoaster since I'm scared to do both but get a rush out of them. I think it changed for me when I watched the second conjuring movie in the cinema, it definitely scared me but I remember going home and feeling certain darkness around me.

Also knowing the movie was based on a true story made me realize that I'm getting entertained by a family being terrorized by demonic entities. I mean that is what horror is, we see people getting terrorized by either a situation, other people or an entity and you have to ask yourself why do we find the suffering of others entertaining. I know that some horror movies have "happy" endings but most out there are very negative and gruesome and even if some characters survive they aren't the same anymore. Maybe in a weird way horror makes us appreciate our own lives more but I don't think even for that reason we should watch horror movies.

 

[ozso]

I'd say it's more a matter of whether it's bad for you spiritually, rather than if it's okay. Is it okay to eat some junk food? Sure. Is it good for you? No.

 

[Petros2015]

Practice makes perfect.
Choose wisely.

 

[SarahsKnight]

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." - 1 Corinthians 6:12

Yes, that's basically what I was trying to say, also, @Anglic9823 . ^-^ Angelsroundme said it better and more straightforward than I did, and the rest of his advice is sound, I believe.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Do you think its ok for a Christian to watch Horror films?
I do sometimes in the knowledge that they are not real but there was on that made me scared of satan, Hereditary. It explored the occult and for the first time ever I felt genuinley scared of satan even though I knew God was with me. It got to some points where I had to avoid looking at occult images and cover my ears to block out the chants that were appearing on screen.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that are there some films a good Chrisitian should never watch and are there some that ok? Let me know your opinions

Take care and God bless

Fear is Satan's domain. There is a perverse attraction to fear in people, because fallen man is drawn to satanic things. The occult was normal in my childhood and I was drawn to occult books that my parents read. Once I was saved, I began to see Satan's hand in all that and now I avoid it like the plague. The Lord's will is that we be delivered from all our fears. Why deliberately get involved with fear inducing movies and such?

By the way, quite a few horror movies were based on the life of Anton La Vey, founder of the church of Satan. One of those movies is "The Exorcist". Linda Blair was really manifesting a demon in at least one scene. I was at the drive in, watching a different movie. I did not know that the Exorcist was showing, but I registered it in my spirit.

Because of my background, I also advise people to stay away from Harry Potter movies and books. Let's not glorify Satan. The world does that in ignorance. We surely know better?

 

[GreekOrthodox]

I'm not much of a horror fan, although I do enjoy Cabin in the Woods. However, some horror / thrillers are commentary on society such as "Get Out" (a commentary on racism) or "Train to Busan" (Korean zombie film which addresses Korean societal problems).

 

[Petros2015]

do enjoy Cabin in the Woods

Heh. That was a great one; a bit of a comedic send-up though w horror elements mixed in

Fear is Satan's domain. There is a perverse attraction to fear in people, because fallen man is drawn to satanic things. The occult was normal in my childhood and I was drawn to occult books that my parents read.

Yeah I was definitely drawn in; the deliberate violence and horror situations. I don't want to be there anymore. I used to laugh at gore. Years later I am repelled by what I used to seek out. I still like a good monster-on-the-loose or societal commentary. The original Tremors was just plain fun, but I wouldn't class it as horror. The Korean "The Host" was also a great one, but again, not really horror.

Stuff like "Saw" pretty much belongs to Hell.

I remember when I was learning to ice-skate I realized all I had to do was look in a particular direction, and my body would naturally turn and start to slowly glide that way. "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". Fascination with hellish things is a human trait, but from experience I don't think it's good or safe. We are built to imitate and improve upon that which we focus on.

 

[DragonFox91]

There are a lot of horrific things that have happened in real life. Horrific things happen even to the Average Joe. I think it's good to not pretend life is all sunshines & rainbows. Watching some horrible things might be good. I don't have a problem w/ watching these kinds of things but make sure to:
Ask yourself what's the point the creator is trying to make? What are their beliefs?
Where is the excitement in watching coming from? Do you like gore or do you just want a thrill?
What were you able to learn from it?

 

[Sophrosyne]

I'm not a horror genre fan, but I do like some movies that have horror in them just not really into pure hack and slash movies and gore and psychopath serial slashers like Friday the 18 or whatever number they are up to now.
I do enjoy movies with horror in them like the Alien and Critters and Tremors series and some zombies movies and series like Underworld and Resident Evil and Blade Movies.

I find movies about demons and psychopaths going around not really that interesting. I typically like movies where man rises above horror enemies that aren't centered around the body parts collection count and blood volume ratings bar graphs.

I think overall that it may be unhealthy if you watch mostly horror movies for some people but an occasional one that had a moral underpinning that doesn't outright mock or put God in a bad light may be acceptable.

In other words like super meteorically hot chili, some people may be able to stomach spicy horror movies while others need the "mild" chili sauce and a large glass of milk or ice water to "down" the dulldrums

 

[Aussie Pete]

There are a lot of horrific things that have happened in real life. Horrific things happen even to the Average Joe. I think it's good to not pretend life is all sunshines & rainbows. Watching some horrible things might be good. I don't have a problem w/ watching these kinds of things but make sure to:
Ask yourself what's the point the creator is trying to make? What are their beliefs?
Where is the excitement in watching coming from? Do you like gore or do you just want a thrill?
What were you able to learn from it?

I learned from the books I used to read that fascination with the devil is destructive.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." Philippians 4:8. I'm not convinced that watching horror or extreme violence complies with that advice.

There are movies that I can't watch now that I enjoyed at one time. The Lord has changed me and I have a better idea of what is behind the scenes.

 

[Skye1300]

I like horror movies or scary movies but not the kind based on reality. I like alien invasion movies and monster movies like non existent creatures type scary movies. But stuff based on sick sadistic serial killers terrorizing people or possession movies or dealing with dark evil forces, I don't like those. I don't like scary movies dealing with the devil or ghosts or spirits or movies dealing with crazy people kidnapping and torturing people. Godzilla, big foot, movies like that are fine because it's not based on reality. I also like end of world type movies like extinction level events being avoided or prevented. I have never seen The Exorcist and don't plan to. I believe just watching things like that could invite dark forces into a person's life.

 

[Jared MacNeill]

Tbh I don’t mind a good scare once and a while.

that being said I don’t think it’s something you should doing on a regular biases.

something to also think about is who made the film for example there are Christian horror movies just like there’s a lot Christian bands in the “death core” scene.

choice what you watch carefully because bad company corrupts good character

 

[SkovandOfMitzae]

Witchcraft is not real. No one can do it. They’ve brought dozens of people before scientists and every single one of them has always failed. Same as with everything demonic. Very case of demonic oppression or possession that has brought in scientists and critical thinkers have failed.

I am a big horror fan. I almost exclusively watch horror. Horror is one of the best social commentaries in story telling and nothing pitched good vs evil better than it.

I watched Hereditary a few times. I really enjoyed it. I’ve been living on my own since I was 16 except for a few years and I’m now 33. I live in a old house on a dead end street in the country surrounded by woods. It’s just me and my two cats. I don’t get scared and don’t watch horror for the terror. I watch it simply because I’ve always enjoyed darker entertainment. From dark comedies to carefully crafted and well layered slow burn terror stories to bare knuckle gore filled visual presentations.

Horror is not evil or sinful. No more or less than family, comedy, action and ect… the Bible is actually full of horror. From the peptic lines of a watery chaotic void less world to giants, cultist worshipping infant eating gods, ghosts , demons and the symbolism of the fiery images of the second death. Revelation is straight up horror.

so it comes down to what can you handle and what can’t you handle. If you are very empathic to fictional characters within fantasy worlds and their suffering makes you sick perhaps it’s not for you. If something really gets under your skin and triggers you or messes up your sense of security then maybe you should not watch it.

but demons are not going to harass you because of hereditary. Just your own mind.

 

[Lost4words]

I once watched a horror movie that scarred me for life...

It was my mates wedding video!!!

 

[SkovandOfMitzae]

There are also other avenues to horror. Such as the work by horror historians that do interviews with cast, writers, SFX specialists and so on.

10xTheTerror is a podcast by two reverends who like horror. They do commentaries on horror films and interview guests. The focus ranged from modern horror to stuff from the 30s. It’s found on almost all podcast formats.

Though not Christian there is also the “Evolution of Horror” podcast and I especially like the female owned and ran podcast “Faculty of Horror” with Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West. Andrea wrote her thesis on horror and Alex has published work and done college lectures on it. They dig into social commentaries on the films and tease out tropes and head nods.

If visual horror is harder for you there are a bunch of fantastic horror podcasts. There are narration stories such as by “ Pseudopod, Wicked Library , Body Chills and Realm “. There are also horror radio dramas ( multiple cast as opposed to just a story being read ) such as the work by QCODE, The Silt Verses, Magnus Archives “ and many others.

 

[Skye1300]

Witchcraft is not real. No one can do it. They’ve brought dozens of people before scientists and every single one of them has always failed. Same as with everything demonic. Very case of demonic oppression or possession that has brought in scientists and critical thinkers have failed.

I am a big horror fan. I almost exclusively watch horror. Horror is one of the best social commentaries in story telling and nothing pitched good vs evil better than it.

I watched Hereditary a few times. I really enjoyed it. I’ve been living on my own since I was 16 except for a few years and I’m now 33. I live in a old house on a dead end street in the country surrounded by woods. It’s just me and my two cats. I don’t get scared and don’t watch horror for the terror. I watch it simply because I’ve always enjoyed darker entertainment. From dark comedies to carefully crafted and well layered slow burn terror stories to bare knuckle gore filled visual presentations.

Horror is not evil or sinful. No more or less than family, comedy, action and ect… the Bible is actually full of horror. From the peptic lines of a watery chaotic void less world to giants, cultist worshipping infant eating gods, ghosts , demons and the symbolism of the fiery images of the second death. Revelation is straight up horror.

so it comes down to what can you handle and what can’t you handle. If you are very empathic to fictional characters within fantasy worlds and their suffering makes you sick perhaps it’s not for you. If something really gets under your skin and triggers you or messes up your sense of security then maybe you should not watch it.

but demons are not going to harass you because of hereditary. Just your own mind.

What concerns me is the stuff that happens to the cast of scary movies.

The Exorcist
The Exorcist is probably the most well-known "cursed" film of all time — and with good reason.

The 1973 flick famously follows the demonic possession of a little girl, but its horror-story production has become as legendarily scary as the movie itself.


Max Von Sydow's brother died on the first day of filming - one of many deaths associated with the filmCredit: Kobal Collection - Shutterstock
A freak fire burned down the set being used as the family home at the heart of the story when a bird flew into a circuit box.

In a creepy twist, the only part to survive the blaze was the bedroom where the exorcisms are performed in the film.

The crew even called in a real Jesuit priest, Thomas M. King, to bless the set after the incident.

But arguably the biggest reason people believe the film is cursed is the number of chilling deaths associated with its cast.

Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros, two actors whose characters die in The Exorcist, both died in real life soon after filming was finished.


Jason Miller, right, narrowly cheated death when he was struck by a motorcycle during the making of the filmCredit: Kobal Collection - Shutterstock
And even the stars were affected — Linda Blair's grandfather died during the shoot and Max Von Sydow's brother died the first day Max was on set.

Jason Miller, who played Father Damien Karras, had a brush with death too when he was hit by a motorbike during filming.

The Omen
Just two years after the nightmare of The Exorcist, filming began on The Omen.

The film follows the nightmare of Damien Thorn — an adopted boy who turns out to be the antichrist.


Harvey Spencer Stephens in The Omen (1976) - his antichrist character, Damien, became an icon of horror cinemaCredit: Alamy
Claims the film was "cursed" began two months before filming began in 1975 when lead actor Gregory Peck's son, Jonathan, shot himself dead.

His plane was then struck by lightning, which is an unfortunate and unlikely occurrence in itself.

But then executive producer Mace Neufeld’s plane was also struck in a completely separate incident during filming.

They'd also planned to hire a plane for aerial shots in Israel, but the airline switched the planes at the last minute.

That proved to be a lucky escape, as the original plane crashed on takeoff soon after, killing everyone on board.

But the chilling incident that really cemented The Omen's cursed reputation came in a horrific accident after filming wrapped.


Gregory Peck in The Omen's famous decapitation scene - which would have a horrific real-world recreation in the same year the film was releasedCredit: Alamy
Special effects designer John Richardson, who designed the famous decapitation scene, was in a car crash while sculptor Liz Moore was in the passenger seat.

Richardson survived the smash, but Moore was decapitated.

He even claimed that when he stumbled out of the car, he noticed a road sign saying he was 66.6 kilometres away from the town of Ommen.

The crash took place on 13th August 1976... Friday the 13th.

Poltergeist
Poltergeist (1982) follows the story of a family home being overrun with evil spirits seeking to abduct their young daughter.

The supernatural horror was accused of being cursed as revenge for the film's inclusion of real human remains.


Poltergeist (1982) - Heather O'Rourke stars as a young girl being lured by malevolent ghostsCredit: Alamy
In one scene, the actress JoBeth Williams is dragged into her family's swimming pool.

As she tries to get out, she bumps into decaying corpses and skeletons.

"I assumed that they were prop skeletons made out of plastic or rubber," Williams said.

"I found out — as did the whole crew — that they were using real skeletons, because it’s far too expensive to make fake skeletons out of rubber."


JoBeth Williams spent days filming in a muddy pool filled with real human skeletons that she didn't know were real until afterwardsCredit: Alamy
There were several disturbing deaths associated with the movie — including that of Heather O'Rourke, who delivered the film's most quoted line: "They're here!"

She shockingly died in 1988 aged 12 after suffering cardiac arrest and septic shock.

And 22-year-old Dominique Dunne, who played O'Rourke's character's older sister, was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend just four months after the film was released.

Many years later, in 2009, Poltergeist actor Lou Perryman was hacked to death with an axe by an ex-convict who stole his car.


Heather O'Rourke died suddenly at the age of 12 after starring in Poltergeist IIICredit: Alamy
The Crow
The Crow (1994) was supposed to be the film that would be the big break for Bruce Lee's son, Brandon.

But Brandon was infamously killed in one of Hollywood's most notorious on-set freak accidents.

The 28-year-old plays a murdered rock musician who returns from the dead to avenge the rape and killing of his fiancée as well as his own slaying.


Brandon Lee starring in The Crow (1994), the movie in which he was tragically killed during filmingCredit: Alamy
Just over a week before the film was finished, Brandon was involved in a scene where another actor had to fire blanks at him from a .44 Magnum.

A dummy bullet from a previous scene was lodged in the barrel of the prop gun without anyone realising.

When the blank round was fired at Brandon, it shot the dummy bullet at him with virtually the same speed as a live round.

Brandon was hit in the abdomen and, despite six hours of emergency surgery, Brandon died on the operating table.

But Brandon's death wasn't the only terrifying accident on set.


Brandon Lee's death was one of several disturbing accidents on the set of The CrowCredit: Alamy
On the first day of shooting, an electrician on a cherry-picker hit power lines and caught on fire.

He survived, but suffered third degree burns and his ears had to be removed.

Shortly after, a hurricane destroyed The Crow's backlot.

With Brandon's family's permission, the film was ultimately finished with a rewritten script and CGI — but it's considered one of the most cursed movies of all time to this day.