Religion in Supernatural Horror

How Religion in Incorporated in Supernatural Horror?

As we are planning to have a priest in our opening scene, it is important that his occupation is instantly identifiable to our audience. One way in which this can be done is through the mise en scene. It is common for religious figures in supernatural horror films to wear a white clerical collar as well as the plain black cossack. For example, in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, the priest's costume consists of these alongside a purple religious scarf. As well as this, religious objects such as holy water and pectoral cross or rosary beads which is commonly associated it  Christianity.

Sound

Another way in which religion is incorporated in supernatural horror is through the non-diegetic sounds of traditional church music which has been manipulate to sound sinister. This is seen within the opening scene of Stigmata where it starts with the non diegetic background music sounding similar to faint low pitched chants alongside faint high pitched wind instruments which creates an eerie atmosphere.

Symbols

One of the most common symbols using in supernatural horror films where religion is a common theme, is the cross which is a direct link to Christianity. The cross is incorporated in The Devil Inside to appeal to the genre. Firstly, the symbol is red, which is symbolic to danger and violence as well as being a common colour scheme in this genre. In addition to this, the symbol is in reversal as well as being made to look as though it has been cut into the woman's mouth which all effectively emphasise the sinister element which is being brought across.