A correlation between horror movies and demonic activity?

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There are a lot of people out there (including some exorcists) who believe horror movies can open one up to demonic activity.

Where does this belief come from?

How can one become possessed by watching actors dress up like ghosts and goblins and demons pretending to do violent things?

Christian art is full of vivid depictions of demons and evildoing. Even the bible portrays characters possessed by the devil and even an encounter with satan himself.
 
If there’s any relationship at all, it’s probably more than people who are engaging in demonic ritual are more likely to watch lots of horror movies. Correlation not causation.
 
That is, as you say, “if there is any relationship at all.” I think some people just like a good scary movie, knowing they are safe (at home) while watching. That’s what Alfred Hitchcock said, by the way.
 
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To show I’m not making this up, here are some comments from CAF itself.

it’s true that horror movies give you demons that stay with you. (And I’m being serious. I don’t say this in jest.)
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Is it a sin to watch a horror movie Popular Media
A priest I knew, retired now, was an exorcist and also celebrated healing masses. He said that a person can be cursed, even possessed through what they see on television/movies or even reading books, that demons can gain access through those medias. Don’t know if I believe it, but I wouldn’t test it. What would be different in using a Ouija board that the Church condemns the use of?
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A priest I knew, retired now, was an exorcist and also celebrated healing masses. He said that a person can be cursed, even possessed through what they see on television/movies or even reading books, that demons can gain access through those medias. Don’t know if I believe it, but I wouldn’t test it. What would be different in using a Ouija board that the Church condemns the use of?
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Is it a sin to watch a horror movie Popular Media
A priest I knew, retired now, was an exorcist and also celebrated healing masses. He said that a person can be cursed, even possessed through what they see on television/movies or even reading books, that demons can gain access through those medias. Don’t know if I believe it, but I wouldn’t test it. What would be different in using a Ouija board that the Church condemns the use of?
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I would avoid them. I have been told by very religious and learned religious that they can be extremely spiritually damaging.
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Are Horror Movies Bad? Popular Media
I had a brief episode of scruples when I saw an exorcism movie with a giant upside down crucifix in the movie background. So, it’s not far fetched for Catholics to get overly worried about horror films. My family also had strict rules while growing up regarding some movies. I think they had my best interests in mind not to invest myself in fear over the salvation of Jesus Christ.
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We were watching the movie “Dracula” when a large picture in the living room fell off the wall. The hook and wall hanger were intact.
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Can exorcists be wrong about the spiritual realm? Spirituality
Usually the individual must go through a series of medical and psychological tests. If nothing out of the ordinary is found, then the exorcist takes over. It is unlikely that an exorcist would mistake someone in being possessed as opposed to being mentally ill. The Las Vegas shooting, for example, does not have any explanation yet as to why this man did what he did. If there is no explanation, then perhaps he did it under the influence of a demon. If that is so, he would most likely be punished…
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“A priest I know, retired now…”
We have no idea who the priest is or in what context he made those statements, or if he even said them at all.

As for the person who had scruples by watching a movie with an uncomfortable symbol of upside down crucifix, obviously if he’s badly affected by watching such movies, he shouldn’t watch them. I’ve been able to watch various horror movies such as The Exorcist and The Sentinel and not have an attack over it. There are a couple of scenes in each that I don’t much like but it’s literally a minute or so apiece out of the whole movie. If a movie bothers me or I know from reading the synopsis or seeing a preview that it’s not something I want to look at, then I don’t watch it, but I don’t necessarily translate that into "it’s demonic and no one should watch it. " I’m also not scrupulous.
 
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I’m not sure but I tend to give credence to what exorcists have to say. They’re on the front lines. They should know what’s dangerous and what isn’t. Just a guess here, but watching demonic movies could cause someone who’s imaginative to open their minds to evil, thus opening a door. Is it harmless to watch porn? Many people would say no. Don’t we feed our souls by what we think, watch, read? It’s worth considering. And, yes, the bible mentions encounters with satan himself…in the light of good vs evil…not just evil for the sake of evil. Some movies are just for the sake of evil.
 
I can’t remember the sensationalized Bela Lugosi movie well–been a long time–but the novel is actually quite Catholic in its belief system, and worth reading as a tale about good vs. evil.
 
lwest said:
I’m not sure but I tend to give credence to what exorcists have to say. They’re on the front lines. They should know what’s dangerous and what isn’t.
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Fr. Gabriel Amorth said The Exorcist is his favorite movie. So there is some inconsistency in this claim.
 
Only if Fr. Amorth has said that the movie The Exorcist is spiritually dangerous, which he hasn’t. I’m more inclined to follow the advice of an exorcist than I am to follow the advice from a lay person any day of the week. Are you claiming that exorcists don’t know what’s dangerous and what isn’t?
 
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lwest said:
Are you claiming that exorcists don’t know what’s dangerous and what isn’t?
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No. Not saying that.

You said you would take the word of the exorcist who claim horror movies are spiritually dangerous simply because they are an exorcist. I cited an exorcist who’s favorite movie is a horror movie (and I don’t think Fr. Amorth would like a movie that is spiritually dangerous, due to the nature of his occupation.)

So if two exorcists contradict each other, then there is inconsistency on simply taking the exorcist’s side on the matter.
 
I would say that anyone who is hooked into inviting evil in would do so anyway eventually.

A good friend of mine in the media once told me, “When you’re watching a movie, any movie, remember that besides the final product you see on screen, at that same moment, just out of sight, there will be a director, several producers and assistants, caterers, guys dragging cables, cameras, and mics around, lighting specialists trying to get the angle just right, and a myriad of others, bored with the 8th take and just talking by the door, not to mention other actors waiting for their own lines to come up.”

If anyone is concerned about how a movie might affect them personally, see it for what it is; a bunch of cooks putting together what they hope will be a palatable take out lunch.
 
I can see it being scary on a big screen,where I have never yet seen it. Georgetown U screens it every year at Halloween and I have wanted to go for years but never got there. Would have maybe done it this year but COVID probably cancelled it like it’s cancelling everything else.

But actually the most disturbing part of the film for me was the priest being upset about his dying and later dead mother. I remember seeing it when my own mother was in the last year of her life and I was thinking maybe it was good that I was unable to join the Jesuits when young because Mom like the mother in the film had no other family but me and I might have had to leave her alone like poor Fr. Karras. Although my personality is much more like Fr. Dyer.
 
The Exorcist is about fighting evil, not embracing it. Did the other exorcist mention this movie specifically or was he referring to movies that glorify evil? My bet is on the latter.
 
Me too. I remember watching The Grudge and thinking ‘this movie is so ridiculous’ then I turned around and my cousin was shaking like a leaf 😇
 
Hopefully not because I’ve been watching horror movies all month.
 
lwest said:
The Exorcist is about fighting evil, not embracing it. Did the other exorcist mention this movie specifically or was he referring to movies that glorify evil? My bet is on the latter.
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He only mentioned The Exorcist.

The point of the OP was people claiming ALL horror movies are spiritually harmful and open one up to demonic activity; regardless of the movie’s message and portrayal of good/evil.
 
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WannabeSaint said:
There are a lot of people out there (including some exorcists) who believe horror movies can open one up to demonic activity.
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The original poster didn’t say ALL horror movies. And I know Fr. Amorth only mentioned the Exorcist. I asked if OTHER exorcists had mentioned this movie by title. Because not ALL horror movies follow the same formula. Nothing said discredited exorcists. Not sure why you’re pursuing this conversation nor do I understand what y our issue is here.
 
Me too. I find some of them artsy and some of them icky, so I might be nervous of what ick the next scene will bring if it’s a very gory or gross film, but they aren’t scary.

True crimes are scarier because the awful murders and stuff actually happened. John Wayne Gacy burying 20 guys under his house while he goes around acting like a normal successful businessman is scary. Random abductions are scary, kids disappearing and never being found is scary.
 
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