The film goes back to the burning of witches in the 19th century, the use of dolls as retainers of superstition, the finding of such a doll at the site where the audience knows a witch was burnt. One of the characters remarks that when God builds a church, Satan builds a chapel next door (attributed to Martin Luther). So, this is a drama of the conflict between good and evil, using religious language, and some graphic imagery of Satan, deriving from the art of the Middle Ages. So, the film has a Catholic atmosphere, and a Catholic adviser is mentioned in the final credits (though, the scenes of the ritual of the Mass are not too accurate). There is also reference to the work of Pope Benedict XIV in the 18th century Enlightenment era and his regulations for the requirements and acknowledgement of miracles: something incurable, instantaneous cure, lasting. There are explicit references and vivid and visual images of the apparition at Lourdes, at Fatima, at Medjugorje. So, there is much to be considered in this context of the horror/exorcism genre and its conventions. The author, James Herbert, had a British Catholic upbringing and draws on his understanding of the church. Third, The Unholy can be considered from an informed Catholic perspective. But these are not the intentions of the filmmakers. The behaviour can be dismissed as religious mania, a world of the irrational which can be criticised and/or mocked. ![]() But, there can also be some scepticism about the diabolical and satanic interventions in the world. There is also the role of the clergy, the authority of the Bishop, the role of the hierarchy including an exorcist. The portrayal of the visionary, the apparitions, Marian devotion and piety will probably confirm scepticism such piety and activities appearing somewhat ludicrous to the sceptic. ![]() Second, the film and its plot, the religious focus, can be viewed by with hostile response by an audience which is anti-religion, anti-church. But, the intentions of the filmmakers are somewhat deeper. There is plenty of plot, a solid cast, drama (and no worries to a careful audience concerning sex, language, but with some expected violence). The impact of the horror film does not depend on an audience understanding Marian apparitions, which most audiences would not be familiar with. There are also superstitions and apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, healings, in the context of the contemporary American Catholic Church. ![]() There are references to Satanism and pacts with the devil. There are the elements of witchcraft in the prologue, set in 1845, the burning, the denunciations of a priest, then ghosts and hauntings. There are some shocks and scares, a couple of jumps out of the seat. ![]() The film works at several levels for review and reflection.įirst, there is the popular religious horror film, in the vein of The Exorcist and the intrusion of the devil. (There were some pre-release cautions by religious groups, apprehensive about themes, Marian apparitions, the devil cautions which are not always reliable.) The Unholy is a screen adaptation, written and directed by Elio Spiliotopoulis (writer of a wide range of films from Beauty and the Beast to Charlie’s Angels), from the novel by reputable British author, James Herbert, The Shrine, transferring its location from England to Massachusetts (with its memories of the witches of Salem and the burnings). Rated M (Supernatural themes, violence and coarse language). Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Cricket Brown, Cary Elwes, William Sadler, Katie Aselton, Diogo Morgado.
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