Marquette Bookshelf: ‘Theology of Horror: The Hidden Depths of Popular Films’

Written by Rev. Ryan G. Duns, S.J., chair and associate professor of theology

Rev. Ryan Duns, S.J.

Horror films scare and entertain us, but there's more to be found in their narratives than simple thrills. Within their shadows, an attentive viewer can glimpse unexpected flashes of orthodox Christian belief. In "Theology of Horror," Rev. Ryan G. Duns, S.J., invites readers to undertake an unconventional pilgrimage in search of these buried theological insights.

Duns uses 15 classic and contemporary horror films―including "The Blair Witch Project," "A Nightmare on Elm Street," "Candyman," and "The Purge"―as doorways to deeper reflection. Each chapter focuses on a single film, teasing out its implicit philosophical and theological themes. As the reader journeys through the text, a surprisingly robust theological worldview begins to take shape as glimmers of divine light emerge from the darkness. Engaging and accessible, "Theology of Horror" proves that, rather than being the domain of nihilists or atheists, the horror film genre can be an opportunity for reflecting on "things visible and invisible," as Christians profess in the Nicene Creed.

Learn more or purchase this book at University of Notre Dame Press

Father Duns answered some questions about his new book, including where the idea for the book came from, how the book complements his teaching and research, and his favorite part of the writing process.

How would you describe the book in one sentence?

"Theology of Horror" invites readers into the shadowy depths of 15 popular horror films and helps them to discover unexpected fragments of philosophical and theological insight in these dark and unexpected places.

Where did the idea for this book come from?

The real desire to write this book arose from my realization that many of my students and I shared a common love of horror films. I sometimes joke that many students would rather face Freddy Kruger or Jason than to have to take a theology course. So, I started to wonder: would it be possible to introduce students to the art and practice of theological thinking using horror movies? The book, I hope, proves that it is possible to use an unorthodox starting point to arrive at some very orthodox conclusions.

How does this book advance or complement your research and/or teaching?

This book allows me to be something of a missionary, venturing into places that many assume God cannot be present. With patience and a bit of humor, I try to show amidst the guts and gore, horror movies can be places where divine light shine through. So, in a sense, this book is a way of doing what I do when I enter a classroom: I try to meet students where they are, speak in their language and with images they understand, and slowly tutor them to think in a new, theological way.

What was your favorite part of the writing/editing process?

I loved the research: three weeks sitting on my parents' couch watching movies. Thank goodness they have every cable package available! More seriously, though, I think writing this book gave me a greater sense of what it means to be a Jesuit professor. I often share that I wanted to become a Jesuit because I was inspired by the great Jesuit missionaries of the past. I'm ashamed to admit it, but my foreign language skills would have made me an awful missionary! But I have come to realize that by engaging popular culture, I can be a "missionary of the imagination." By this I mean I can enter into the imaginative lands my students occupy and, even in the darkness of horror, try to help them discover hints and glimmers of God's presence that makes the message of the Gospel more credible and compelling.

What do you hope to accomplish with this book?

On a purely academic level, I hope students come to realize how deeply the Christian theological tradition has entered our shared imagination. In many horror films - from "Dracula" to "The Exorcist" to "Terrifier 3" - religion is everywhere. Even in films like "The Purge" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," religion is conspicuous in its absence. I hope students enjoy learning how to be on the lookout for glimpses of the divine in dark places.

I hope, on a more spiritual level, that the book gets students to reflect on their own lives and experiences. Yes, it's a book on theology but it is also a book in theology. That is, it asks readers to be self-reflective and to raise for themselves some of the big questions that we all face: Is there a God? Does life have meaning? Do faith and belief matter? Can God be encountered in unexpected locations? As I said, this book allows me to be a "missionary" to a place many assume is dark and godless but, with a bit of poking and digging, we find God's presence all over the place.

Is this your first book? What is your publishing history?

This is my second book. In 2020 I published "Spiritual Exercises for a Secular Age: Desmond and the Quest for God." In addition to my two monographs, I have written several book chapters, articles, and contributed to many online discussions of philosophy, theology and popular culture.

If you have recently published a book, or if you have one coming out, we would like to feature your publication in an upcoming Marquette Bookshelf feature. More information on the submission process is available online.

Book Details 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Notre Dame Press (Oct. 15, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0268208557
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0268208554

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