Blog Post # 12: Religion in horror

 Candyman is a truly horrifying film and not one I would have looked at with a religious lens. It wasn't until today when I was watching a YouTube video where the person mentioned a specific religious theme in Candyman, as a result, I ended up looking into it, and sure enough, there's quite a lot to it.   The film also explores the power of belief, suggesting that belief can manifest itself into reality. This is evident in the central myth of Candyman, where saying his name five times in front of a mirror summons him. This ritualistic invocation mirrors religious practices where the divine is invoked through prayer or mantra. Furthermore, Candyman’s backstory, being the son of a former slave who was brutally murdered for his interracial relationship, echoes themes of martyrdom and persecution often found in religious narratives. His transformation into a vengeful spirit reflects the concept of resurrection and eternal life, however, unlike traditional religious narratives that offer hope and redemption, Candyman’s story is a tragic and horrifying twist on these themes. 

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