“And deliver us from evil” we pray as we recite the Hail Mary after watching some of the most genuinely TERRIFYING horror movies. But we’re not talking about the conventional jump-scare nonsense – we’re talking about religious horror movies. There’s something about the elements of religion that just seem ideal for terror, making everything a little more “real,” whether it’s bizarre symbols, unsettling cults, or suppressed guilt.
You see, religious horror films frequently explore the philosophical, theological, and scientific debates and issues surrounding God and the paranormal. And if the movie’s done right, it leaves us with questions that may or may not go away by the morning.
So, without further ado, here are 3 TV shows to binge on, as well as 3 movies that’ll have you gripping your Rosary:
TV Shows:
1. Midnight Mass
From the director of “The Haunting of Hill House,” Midnight Mass is a complex ensemble drama with supernatural thrills and slow-burn scares. Horror icon Mike Flanagan’s seven-part series is brilliantly terrifying, profoundly human, and unforgettable.
The arrival of a charismatic young priest brings glorious miracles, dark mysteries, frightening omens and renewed religious fervour to an isolated island community desperate to believe.
There is always a price for supposed miracles in this broken world, and the town’s citizens have to learn that the hard way. Midnight Mass is a fascinating tale that brilliantly critiques religious extremism and the justifications people make for themselves to feel better.
2. 30 coins
30 Coins is a twisting terror treat thanks to its compelling action, excellent haunting, and just the perfect amount of lunacy. In the Spanish mystery-horror series, Father Vergara, an exorcist banished by the church to the secluded Spanish village of Pedraza, hopes that his enemies will forget about him.
He is, however, the centre of a sinister conspiracy that lets loose a terrible evil on the neighbourhood because he is in possession of a rare coin — one of the thirty dollars awarded to Judas for betraying Jesus.
3. Servant
An emotional household drama is depicted in the American psychological horror series Servant, as a husband and wife mourn the death of their kid. Nevertheless, as an intriguing nanny named Leanne moves into the Turner’s home and starts causing odd and frightful happenings for the couple, their lives start to drastically change.
Leanne stands out to the Turners for a variety of reasons, and there are various ideas about her character that cover a wide spectrum; yet, one thing that is always true about Leanne is that she is a deeply religious person. She is a person who introduces religion into the Turner family home and is frequently spotted praying.
Movies:
1. The Exorcism Of Emily Rose
An agnostic single lawyer, who takes on the church and the state when she battles for the life of a priest who has carried out a fatal exorcism on a young woman, is the subject of the classic suspenseful horror film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose (Emily Rose).
Emily Rose had numerous exorcisms since she was thought to be demon-possessed. Yet after she passed away, her family and the involved priests were prosecuted for negligent homicide. By watching flashbacks of Emily’s life before she passed away, we are able to discover more about her.
The film is distinctive in how it combines courtroom drama and horror, and its gut-wrenching flashbacks to Emily’s final moments are very powerful.
2. The Rite
The Rite, based on actual events, centres on sceptic Michael Kovak, a seminary student who reluctantly enrols in the Vatican’s exorcism training programme – which is where he encounters Father Lucas, an unconventional priest. Father Lucas enlightens Michael about the darker aspects of his faith and becomes his mentor over time.
This film reveals the devil’s ability to infiltrate even one of the holiest sites on Earth, demonstrating to us that the devil is still very much present and active in the world.
3. Devil’s Doorway
Two Catholic priests are dispatched to a secluded Catholic asylum for “immoral” women to look into a miraculous tale involving a statue of the Virgin Mary allegedly weeping blood. The priests arrive expecting to record their findings with 16mm film cameras, but instead they encounter a wicked horror show of Satanism, demonic possession, and sadistic nuns.
Although supernatural forces are at play in this situation, God is not behind them. This discovered video occult thriller is a horrifying encounter with unimaginable evil and was inspired by the infamous actual stories of Magdalene Laundries, where “fallen women” were held hostage by the Irish Catholic Church.
Happy viewing!
