Films about Devil Worship
“The Exorcist”, 1973
Director: William Friedkin
Directed by William Friedkin, “The Exorcist” centers on a young girl possessed by a demonic entity. Her desperate mother, seeking help, enlists two priests to perform an exorcism. The film explores themes of faith and the existence of evil.
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, Jason Miller, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, Reverend William O'Malley, Barton Heyman, Peter Masterson;
Production year: 1973;
Genre: horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Exorcist” on the website imdb.com
“The Witch”, 1916
Director: Frank Powell
Set in the 1630s, this film follows a Puritan family who encounters forces of evil in the woods beyond their New England farm. Their suspicion and paranoia grow as they start to believe that their eldest daughter may be practicing witchcraft or consorting with the devil.
Starring: Nance O'Neil, Alfred Hickman, Frank Russell, Macey Harlam, Ada Neville, Jane Miller, Sadie Gross, Stuart Holmes, Harry Kendall, Robert Wayne;
Production year: 1916;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 50 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“Hereditary”, 2018
Director: Ari Aster
Directed by Ari Aster, “Hereditary” examines the grim legacy of a family entangled with a mysterious cult. After the death of the secretive grandmother, the family uncovers terrifying secrets about their ancestry and a connection to devil worship.
Starring: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, Mallory Bechtel, Christy Summerhays, Morgan Lund, Jake Brown, Harrison Nell;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: horror, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“The Lords of Salem”, 2012
Director: Rob Zombie
Directed by Rob Zombie, this horror film tells the story of a radio DJ in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a mysterious record that triggers flashbacks of the town's violent past. She finds herself entwined in a plot involving a coven of ancient witches seeking revenge.
Starring: Sheri Moon Zombie, Bruce Davison, Jeffrey Daniel Phillips, Ken Foree, Patricia Quinn, Dee Wallace-Stone, Maria Conchita Alonso, Judy Geeson, Meg Foster, Richard Fancy;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: horror, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,2;
“The Devil Rides Out”, 1967
Director: Terence Fisher
Based on the novel by Dennis Wheatley, this film follows an aristocrat and his friend who discover their friend's son is involved with a satanic cult. They embark on a mission to save him and battle the forces of darkness.
Starring: Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Nike Arrighi, Leon Greene, Patrick Mower, Gwen Ffrangcon Davies, Sarah Lawson, Paul Eddington, Rosalyn Landor, Russell Waters;
Production year: 1967;
Genre: horror, thriller;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “The Devil Rides Out” on the website imdb.com
These films, through their storytelling and cinematic techniques, provide a chilling exploration of devil worship and its portrayal in popular culture.
In conclusion, films about devil worship tap into the deepest recesses of the human psyche, exploring the allure and horror of the forbidden and the unknown. They serve as a mirror to societal fears and fascinations with the occult, while also providing a ground for the exploration of good versus evil, morality, and the human capacity for darkness. From the atmospheric dread of Rosemary's Baby to the unsettling realism of The Wicker Man, and the intense visual storytelling of Hereditary, these films have evolved in their portrayal of devil worship, reflecting changing societal attitudes and fears. Through their captivating narratives, unsettling atmospheres, and complex characters, these films remain a compelling and thought-provoking part of cinema, offering not just entertainment, but a deep, often disturbing insight into the human condition and the perennial dance with the darkness beyond the edges of our understanding.
