Holy horror! Five religious horror movies you can stream right now

As a cinephile who’s spent countless nights huddled under the silver screen, I must say that these recommendations have truly piqued my interest. Let me share some thoughts from my film-soaked perspective.

Lately, there’s been an increase in the popularity of religious horror films. From 2023 to 2024, we witnessed the release of several such movies like “The Pope’s Exorcism, Immaculate, The First Omen, The Devil’s Bath, Deliver Us, Longlegs“. Many more have also been produced during this period.

For fellow enthusiasts of religious horror movies, here’s a concise guide I’ve put together. I’ll also provide streaming locations for each film on the list. Enjoy!

As a devoted cinephile, let me share my thoughts on “The Cleansing Hour” (Shudder) – a hidden gem that’s clever, hilarious, and downright terrifying. In our shared past, Max and I have been friends since childhood, and now we collaborate in producing and hosting a live streaming show titled “The Cleansing Hour”. My character, Max (Ryan Guzman from “The Boy Next Door”), takes on the role of a priest performing exorcisms on camera, while Drew (Kyle Gallner from “Strange Darling”) handles the rest. However, each episode is staged, with actors playing the possessed. One fateful night, our usual actor fails to appear, and my dear fiancée Lane (Alexis Angelis) hesitantly steps in. Her performance is so convincing that I’m initially impressed, until Drew and I realize that Lane isn’t acting – she has mysteriously become possessed for real.

The exceptional acting in this movie, especially from Angelis as the possessed Lane, truly sets it apart. Her dedication and passion are evident, making you wonder if she was completely drained after filming wrapped up for The Cleansing Hour.

Impeccably portrayed (Hulu) – You’ve likely seen films about the nun who miraculously conceives a child of Satan, haven’t you? Impeccably portrayed offers a fresh perspective on this classic tale of the mysteriously pregnant nun. I won’t reveal the method, to avoid spoilers, but take my word for it.

As a child following a close brush with death, Cecilia made the resolution to dedicate her life to religious service and became a nun. Currently, she is an apprentice nun (often referred to as a novice), who has been extended an invitation to join a convent in Italy that caters specifically to nuns approaching the end of their lives.

The convent displays its quirks; Cecilia observes that one elderly nun bears cross-shaped marks on the soles of her feet, and one relic is claimed to be a sacred nail believed to have been utilized during Jesus’s crucifixion. It appears that at least one other novice struggles with mental health challenges, but she manages to find companionship in Sister Gwen.

When Cecilia discovers she’s pregnant, she’s taken aback, yet the revelation proves to be both ominous and terrifying. Sydney Sweeney, with her large, expressive eyes and shy demeanor, is ideally suited for playing a pure, innocent nun. I can only hope that the shouting in the climactic scene was replaced with recorded sounds to protect her vocal cords. The last half-hour or so is incredibly intense and gory, leaving you on the verge of your seat.

“The First Signal” (Hulu) – Ever since I was young, horror movies have held a special place in my heart. At just 12 years old, I managed to persuade my grandmother to accompany me to the cinema for a screening of Omen. Since then, I’ve been hooked. Admittedly, I had my doubts about a prequel, thinking it would disappoint. But happily, my skepticism proved unfounded.

Similar to Immaculate, the plot revolves around an American nun named Margaret, who journeys to a Roman convent. Within this convent are orphaned children, among whom is Carlita. Margaret witnesses Carlita being harshly treated by the other nuns.

Sister Margaret harbors a strong determination to join the convent, yet she’s not immune to being convinced to join Luz, one of her fellow novitiates, for an evening of partying and dancing, complete with alcohol. The following morning, she awakens with scant recollections of the previous night’s events.

Over time, a secret plot starts to unravel, with Margaret right at the heart of it all. I found the nods to “The Omen” quite delightful – some familiar faces resurfaced, and certain occurrences echoed those from the original story. Moreover, the “666” symbol, so iconic in that series, appeared on multiple characters. Lastly, Nell Tigar Free’s portrayal of Margaret was truly captivating.

The House of the Devil (Tubi and Shudder) – Initially appearing to be a horror film from the 1980s, this movie deceives with its appearance as it was actually released in 2009, but intentionally so. Writer/director Ti West designed it to look like an ’80s production, and indeed, it is set during that time, aligning with West’s reputation for creating films that embody the era they represent, as demonstrated by his X trilogy.

Samantha, played by Jocelin Donahue, finds herself in a tight financial spot as a student at college. She accepts what appears to be a babysitting job, but upon arriving at Mr. Ulman’s residence, he reveals that it’s not a child she will be looking after, but his elderly mother-in-law instead. Despite her initial hesitation, the appealing salary offered by Mr. Ulman proves too tempting for Samantha to refuse and she agrees to the job.

During the entire night, bizarre occurrences take place, and eventually Samantha understands that something sinister is at play – something dark like cult rituals and a lunar eclipse. To keep you guessing, let me not give away any more details; just make sure to catch it! And for an extra thrill, catch it on Shudder’s The Last Drive-In.

Frailty (2001) – This Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, and Powers Boothe movie is surprisingly underappreciated. However, that’s a positive aspect since it boasts an impressive plot twist, and the limited attention it receives means there are minimal spoilers to be found.

FBI Agent Wesley Doyle (Boothe) is paid a visit by Fenton Meeks (McConaughey), who claims that his brother Adam is the “God’s Hand” serial killer, and has committed suicide. He then tells his story to Doyle, beginning with his childhood.

Paxton, Fenton and Adam’s father, was a regular mechanic before he started believing that a divine messenger had appeared to him. According to him, this angel assigned them a mission: to identify and eliminate demons disguised as humans. Matters intensified when he kidnapped a nurse, claiming she was one of these demons. When he touched her, he claimed to see her malicious activities in visions, and subsequently ended her life with an axe in front of his sons.

Young Adam believes he’s following in his father’s footsteps regarding some visions, but his elder brother shows astonishment and disapproval at the situation unfolding. Deeply troubled by Fenton’s skepticism, their father resorts to extreme steps to show him that they are indeed fulfilling God’s mission.

The film “Frailty” stands out due to its ability to evoke empathy from viewers towards all three main characters, including the father. Through Paxton’s captivating performance, we are persuaded that he genuinely believes in his visions and cherishes his two sons. Despite this, the character carries out heinous acts in front of Fenton and Adam, and even encourages them to participate.

“Frailty is a must-watch religious horror film, offering compelling narratives and impressive acting.”

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2024-08-27 02:25