A Christian Response to Horror Cinema: Ten Films in Theological Perspective

by Peter Fraser

Overview

Christianity has had a powerful influence on every sphere of Western art, even art which on the surface might seem antithetical to the faith. This book argues that point with an analysis of the horror film genre, examining nine classics which illustrate the evolution of horror and reveal a culture haunted by fear of the unspeakable. The history and literary roots of the horror genre are also discussed.

The author concludes that our innate dread of evil and the imperative of warding it off are the key mechanics of the horror experience. Films covered include Vampyr (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Thing (1951), Night of the Demon (1957), The Wicker Man (1973), The Exorcist (1973), Halloween (1978), Ringu (1998) and Pan's Labyrinth (2006).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476619729
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	03/27/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Peter Fraser is a professor of English and Director of the School of Communication and the Arts at Regent University. This is his third book on the intersection of Christianity and film. He lives in Norfolk, Virginia.
Peter Fraser is a professor of English and Director of the School of Communication and the Arts at Regent University. This is his third book on the intersection of Christianity and film. He lives in Norfolk, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. What Lies Beneath the Horror Genre
2. Monster and Man: Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth
3. Modern Paralysis and Ancient Faith: Carl Dreyer’s Vampyr
4. Carnival Pleasures: Karl Freund’s The Mummy
5. Lawless Men and Beasts: Jacques Tourneur’s Night of the Demon
6. Kill Thine Enemy: Howard Hawks’ The Thing
7. The Return of Molech: Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man
8. The Corruption of the Virgin: William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist
9. No Pleasure but Cruelty: John Carpenter’s Halloween
10. Lord of the World: Hideo Nakata’s Ringu
Conclusion
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

a well-written, accessible work...it fills a void as one of the first books of its type”—Journal of American Culture.

From the Publisher