The First Christian Horror Film?

Friday marks an interesting day in the world of Christian products. That is the day the film House releases nationwide in theaters. The simple release of a film is not what is worth noting though. House, which is based on the novel of the same name by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, has been labeled the first ever Christian horror film.

Adding to the buzz surrounding this film is its inked MPAA rating of R. Despite the filmmakers’ multiple appeals to the MPAA, the association remained firm on its rating. So now we have a Christian horror film with an R-rating. One sentence with several contradictory terms.

Or so it seems. When I sat down to talk with Dekker the other week about the film, I didn’t find a man trying to sway the MPAA to change, but rather a man calling the body to action. “Here’s a perfect watershed moment,” Dekker said. “Just because the world gave this film an R-rating, are we going to not sell it in our stores? Are we going to refuse to see it in the theaters just because the world slapped the letter ‘R’ on it despite it being the entire gospel message including salvation?”

With none of the elements of a typical R-rated film, the rating still doesn’t quite seem to fit. The MPAA said it made the decision based on the amount of intensity found in the film. And I have to admit that there were moments when I was thankful to be screening the film at home in the middle of the day, but what I was more thankful for was the reminder of the intense battle we so often all together forget even exists.

“Let’s not whitewash the enemy,” Dekker told me with much passion. “Let’s not put him in a sheepskin. He’s a wolf for heaven’s sake. Let’s take the sheep’s clothing off the wolf and see who he really is. I’m not interested in protecting people’s emotions and feelings. I’m interested in exposing the truth. Evil is a wolf. And it needs to be exposed for what it really is. It’s offensive to characterize evil as something less than what it really is.”

So what do you think? Do you agree with Dekker’s challenge? Will you see House despite its rating and subject matter? Will you sell it in your store?

For further information, look for a much longer interview with Dekker in the January issue of CBA Retailers+Resources magazine that focuses on all his new products, along with more posts on this blog from Dekker in the upcoming weeks about the importance of Christian retail stores and how those stores can reach out to customers in new ways.

Comments

[Kristi Holl]

I probably will be a chicken and let my grown kids see it first. I don't handle horror well--never have. And it depends on if the horror is "off stage" suspense or in-your-face chainsaw massacre blood and gore. I guess I'll have to withhold an opinion till I check it out better. I'm definitely curious now--and I certainly agree that the enemy is no sheep.
Kristi Holl
Writer's First Aid blog

[Michelle Pendergrass]

Since I write horror, I'll see it for sure. :)

[Angela]

I screened it during the middle of the day too, because I'm not a horror fan.

It's not the "first" Christian horror. There are others that have been made based on Ted Dekker & Frank Peretti (who co-wrote "House") books: The Visitation, Hangman's Curse, Thr3e. Also, Scott Derrickson (Christian director) created "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," which is a suspense/horror film.

It is definitely the first "R-rated" one. We've been having a great conversation about this over at Christian Movie News.com - lots of different thoughts about this question.

I also had the chance to interview Ralph Winter, executive producer of the film, and we talked about the rating and the creators' hopes to reach beyond the typical "Christian" audience to people who just like horror films.

[Lisa Parker]

I certainly agree with this;

“Let’s not whitewash the enemy,” Dekker told me with much passion. “Let’s not put him in a sheepskin. He’s a wolf for heaven’s sake. Let’s take the sheep’s clothing off the wolf and see who he really is. I’m not interested in protecting people’s emotions and feelings. I’m interested in exposing the truth. Evil is a wolf. And it needs to be exposed for what it really is. It’s offensive to characterize evil as something less than what it really is.”

Facing our greatest fear will make us stronger. I'll definitely be watching this film in theaters! For those of you that haven't seen the list of theaters where it'll be shown, check out their official website, http://housethemovie.net .

@Angela, I'm the first one that posted a comment in your post there!
Lis

[Joy]

See the film. Support the work. Don't get caught up where Christians bicker with Christians and in the end, no one wins. If this movie (which I've read all Ted's works) scares Christians, how many will see it that aren't and their eyes open?

Hollywood wants it to fail, hence the limited release and lack of advertising. How about we step up?

[Jeanette]

I am Keeping an open mind. God can and will use whatever speaks to us in a personal way. If He can reach us by speaking through a donkey - He most certainly can speak to us through a horror film(especially one written with Christian themes). We just have to be willing to hear His Voice. Like I said, I'm keeping an open mind and if HOUSE ever gets the chance to come to my area I plan on seeing for myself. I DON'T NORMALLY DO HORROR FILMS, but I'm all for spreading the good news of salvation and if HOUSE offers a chance to do that...
I say Keep up the good work!!!

[Andrew Jacob]

Hello,

I think my post before was even handed and acknowledged my position as equal to many other reactionary fools. Nor was I saying that a christian couldn't make a horror film.

Thanks,
Andrew Jacob(http://www.stream-max.com/)

[Peter Parker]

Anything related to "christians" in general gets chastised to no end. After all its purely entertainment. Hollywood and entertainment shills because of it. If there are any beliefs crammed in our faces everyday it are not the christian ones.

Thanks,
Peter Parker

[Jack Lee]

I don't judge people for believing in their religion, just like I hope they don't judge me for not believing.If a movie is good, it's good regardless the topic. A good film does it really matter when it trying to teach to us.

Thanks,
Jack Lee

[Sue Dent]

I won't see the film no matter what rating it has because the book itself was written for a market whose work I don't really enjoy reading. It's too targeted for my taste.

Perhaps they were able to work some of this out in the film but I doubt it. First Christian Horror film? Ummm . . . no. At least not if you mean horror by the standards it was meant to be applied. CBA affiliated publishers such as Thomas Nelson do not produce horror fiction. They say it won't sell to their nich market.