Catholic imagery drives the rise of a specific horror subgenre

Hollywood horror frequently borrows from Catholic tradition, a trend that has become a distinct genre within the film industry. The genre relies on specific religious imagery, including clerical collars, Latin chanting, and Gothic architecture, to create a sense of dread. These elements distinguish Catholic horror from other supernatural films that feature generic monsters or spirits.

The connection between the faith and the genre has deep roots in popular culture. Classic films such as The Exorcist and The Omen established the template for these stories. In The Exorcist, priests attempt to cast the devil out of a young girl. The Omen features a priest warning a father that his son will establish a counterfeit kingdom on Earth. Rosemary's Baby explores the idea of a mortal woman bearing a son of the devil. These early works set the stage for modern interpretations.

Matthew Cressler, co-author of the new book Body And Blood, explains that Catholicism offers unique theological themes that suit the horror genre. He notes that when a vampire appears or a child becomes possessed, audiences intuitively expect a Catholic priest to intervene rather than a minister from another denomination. Cressler points out that Catholic theology emphasizes suffering as a way to draw closer to Christ, a concept that translates easily to screen.

Aislinn Clarke, a director who grew up in the Catholic faith, found her childhood experience helpful in shaping her work. She recalls that the ritual of receiving communion, where a priest identifies a cup as the blood of Christ and bread as his body, sparked her interest in horror. She compared the ritual to cannibalism, a thought that stayed with her as a young fan of scary movies.

The genre often exaggerates these religious concepts for dramatic effect. The 2019 indie film Saint Maud features a nurse who recreates the suffering of Christ by lining her shoes with metal spikes. Cressler argues that Catholic themes can also appear in films that are not overtly religious. He cites the 1960 film Psycho, where a character keeps the mummified corpse of his mother in the basement, as an example of venerating the dead.

Reverend Aaron Williams, a pastor at St. Mary's Basilica in Mississippi, consulted on the 2025 horror film The Ritual. He explained that a priest acts with the authority of Christ through ordination. The church maintains a rite of exorcism, which provides a real-world basis for the fictional rituals depicted in movies. Williams noted that while the average Catholic may not encounter demons daily, the church acknowledges the presence of the occult and its minions.

Some filmmakers use horror to critique the church itself. Clarke directed The Devil's Doorway in 2018, a film that features bleeding statues and demonic possession. She identified the most horrific scene as one where nuns sing hymns to Christ while ignoring a woman in pain. The film uses religious symbols to highlight broken elements within the institution.

Cressler observes that frequent exposure to these images in movies can influence how people view the church in real life. He suggests that a room filled with too many candles, crosses, and statues often signals danger in a film. This association can carry over to everyday life. The genre also uses the concepts of grace and redemption to help audiences confront fear, whether the source of the horror is internal or external.