The evolution of religious horror
The movie “The Nun” is a spin-off from the 2016 film, “The Conjuring 2”. The Nun addresses religion, specifically Christianity, turning a holy belief into something unholy. This film kicks off with an intense scene that includes a young Nun praying hysterically. Enclosed around her is complete darkness, getting tighter and tighter around her. She says one final prayer before wrapping a rough rope around her neck and jumping out the third story window. For my adaptation the occurring theme of suicide will be talked about and analysis because of the films ironic use to have a Nun kill herself. A priest with a haunted past and a young novitiate with unnatural senses are sent to investigate the mysterious death. Together they fight against the demonic entity disguised as a Nun. Over the years religious horror has become more accepted and popular in the movie industry. My adaptation will share the secrets of unholy drama in film and why modern religion can easily be turned into something extremely distasteful and terrifying.
Annotation Bibliography
“Watching The Nun is seeing religion from a secular perspective” *
This article critiques the idea of good and evil that is portrayed in the film and dives deep into the perspective of Christians. It also argues the use of how media portrays modern religion. The idea of corruption is brought up in a sense of, should we consider our own ideals?
“As Hardy tells this story of a corruption deeply embedded in holy ground, we too are in our very nature corrupted. However, through Christ we can find salvation.”
In my project, portrayal of Christianity will be analyzed. Sometimes the media can determine how we interpret information.
“Five Religious - Themed Horror Movies That Are Scarier Than The Nun” *
With a misleading title this article compares other horror films that share the same unholy theme in comparison to The Nun. The article also touches on the relationship between religion and faith in regards to horror films.
“The number of horror movies dabbling in religiosity is so robust, there’s plenty of other films that could have easily made the list: The Reaping, Carrie, The Omen, The Prophecy, Rosemary’s Baby, Prince of Darkness, The Exorcism of Emily Rose... and even that’s just scratching the surface.”
For my adaptation project I’ll be reviewing the many ways religion can be used to horrify viewers.
“The horrifying way ‘The Nun’ confronts images of faith, religion and demonization” *
In this column written by Candice Frederick she uncovers connections with religious belief and comfort with the familiar. Fredrick states, “Rather, it has the face of one of religion’s most recognizable symbol — a nun (Bonnie Aarons). Even despite the distortion of her features, her incredible fury, and obvious possession, there’s comfort in the fact that she wears a habit meant to highlight a figure whose devotion protects her from this kind of evil.” This written piece will help in my adaptation project when I talk about the hidden symbols in the film.
“How ‘The Nun’ Fictionalizes our real fear of the Catholic Church” *
After reading this feature on The Nun it brilliantly explains how religious horror is an inspired fear. Emily Kubincanek reveals, “There are several genres of films that represent the fears and attitudes of the time they were made.” For example, in the 1950’s science fiction films became the most popular genre in screen work which expressed fears brought on by the Cold War and nuclear wars happening during that time. This article will inform my adaptation with the idea that society has built the fears we see today in horror.
“One nun’s take on horror film ‘The Nun’” *
This written piece on “The Nun”, reviewed by Sr. Rose Pacatte, expresses her opinion on the religious themed horror movie in perspective of a devoted Catholic. She also makes great points on the cultural fears that comes with a system of beliefs.
“The image of a Nun is iconic and turning the cultural fear of nuns (through there are no rulers in this film) into figures and icons of horror was going to happen eventually.”
Again, I believe this analysis of the movie will bring more knowledge to my adaptation project and inform it of the Catholic imagery throughout the film.
“Why there’s creepy appeal in the unholy of ‘The Nun’ and ‘The Exorcist’” *
Brian Truitt, from USA TODAY wrote this article focusing on the main reasons why faith is used to scared people. In an interview with USA TODAY screenwriter for “The Nun”, Gary Dauberman adds, “You kind Of already have faith as a believer that this could really happen, so now the authors of the story can pray on your fear, as opposed to if you were going to do a story about Bigfoot, quotatio of already have faith as a believer that this could really happen, so now the authors of the story can pray on your fear, as opposed to if we were going to do a story about Bigfoot,” Dauberman says, “ I don’t know if he really exists or not, (but) The devil is everywhere. There’s no hiding from him, so your soul is always in a bit of Jeopardy, no matter where you turn.”