Connect with us

Movies

Satanic Panic: 7 Diabolical Films Featuring the Prince of Darkness

Published

on

Satanic Panic

There’s a whole new rush of Satanic Panic going on in this country thanks largely in part to a new music video by Lil Nas X where the out and proud rapper gives Satan a lap dance before killing the Dark Lord and taking his horns.

I won’t get into the social commentary here. I’ll just say that while other people are clutching their pearls over “Montero (Call Me By Your Name,” I’m sitting here watching the video on a loop and thinking about all the great movies we’ve seen over the decades involving Satan, the Devil, the Prince of Darkness, or whatever other title you’d like to ascribe to the Lord of Hell.

Might as well write about it, right?!

So, without further ado, let’s check out some of my favorites in no particular order. Don’t forget to tell me yours in the comments below!

Satanic Panic Cinema!

#1 Prince of Darkness

John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness is an underrated classic if you ask me.

Melding sci-fi and horror in that signature Carpenter style, the film focuses on a group of grad students brought together on a project in an old abandoned church. What makes this particular film so great is the pseudo-scientific explanation for the origins of evil, and the fact that Satan is condensed into a concentrated liquid form that, once unleashed, will bring hell to earth.

The film boasts one hell of a cast including Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong, Lisa Blount, Ann Yen, Dennis Dun, Susan Blanchard, and even boasts a special appearance by Alice Cooper, himself!

I personally think Jameson Parker’s mustache needs its own credit in the film, as well, but no one will listen…

#2 Angel Heart

This visually-stunning horror noir film is yet another underrated classic in my book.

Based on the novel by William Hjortsberg, Angel Heart was written and directed by Alan Parker (The Road to Wellville) and stars Mickey Rourke as Harry Angel, a private detective hired by a mysterious man named Louis Cyphre (Robert De Niro) to track down a man named Johnny Favorite who has every reason for wanting to hide out. This is a slow-burn movie with a hell of a pay off–see what I did there?–that everyone should see at least once.

Also of note, is Lisa Bonet’s brilliant performance in the film. She is absolutely entrancing as the enigmatic Epiphany Proudfoot.

#3 Legend

Now, I know what you’re thinking. This isn’t a horror movie AND technically Tim Curry’s character wasn’t “the Devil.” I know all of that and I don’t care!

This dark fantasy film from 1985 was written by William Hjotsberg and directed by Ridley Scott, and Tim Curry was one of the sexiest, over-the-top Devil character’s we’ve ever seen on film. I was beyond terrified of him as a child. He just had a way of carrying himself throughout the film that oozed exactly the right kind of danger, and I’m still a little shocked that Mia Sara and Tom Cruise managed to defeat him.

If you’ve got a taste for sinister characters in a high fantasy setting, Legend is the film for you.

#4 The Prophecy

Oooh, this movie! Look, while other films that came after it have chosen to frame angels as violent and vengeful, back in 1995 when The Prophecy was released, very few had taken that path.

The film revolves around a Los Angeles detective (Elias Koteas) who discovers an ancient prophecy is coming to pass and he sets out on a path to keep it from happening. The angel Gabriel (Christopher Walken) is on the warpath, and the detective and a woman named Katherine (Virginia Madsen) find themselves reluctantly in league with, who else, Lucifer (Viggo Mortensen).

A lesser actor would have faltered when facing off with Walken, but not Mortensen. He is a walking sinister presence that never becomes a caricature. He also has some of the best lines in the film.

“You see,” he says, “I’m not here to help you little bitch because I love you or because I care for you, but because two hells is one hell too many, and I can’t have that.”

With a constantly twisting plot, the film is so much fun to watch which is why it has earned itself a cult following.

#5 The Devil’s Advocate

“Vanity, definitely my favorite sin,” so says Al Pacino as John Milton aka the Devil in The Devil’s Advocate which finds Keanu Reeves as a Southern lawyer drawn to a fancy New York law firm run by Old Scratch himself.

This film is beautifully shot and Pacino seems right at home in his diabolical role. He delivers every line with relish and a half-wink to let us know that he’s up to something like some villain from a 1930s melodrama, and yet he still manages to pull of a sinister quality.

What I love most about the film, however, is how much lore there is to dig into. There are little signs and Easter eggs all over the place, and it’s fun to and catch them all.

#6 Constantine

Speaking of relishing a role, has anyone ever had as good a time playing the Devil as Peter Stormare looked like he was having in Constantine?!

Based on the DC Comics, the film stars Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a chain-smoking demonologist, exorcist, all-around supernatural jack-of-all-trades who is approached by Det. Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) after her twin sister, Isabel, supposedly commits suicide. The case leads them into a demonic plot involving Gabriel–this time played by Tilda Swinton–and Satan, himself.

Though the film was panned by many, it’s still a fun watch and deserves a revisit from time to time if for nothing else than to see Stormare’s Satan chew the scenery in his own fiery fashion.

#7 The Witches of Eastwick

Three women (Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer) looking for a little spice in their life accidentally conjure up the Devil in the guise of Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson) and chaos of every kind ensues.

That’s it. That’s the movie, and it’s worth every single minute of it. While the mood doesn’t seem entirely sinister most of the time, there are moments of real terror in this film. I don’t care what anyone says, when Veronica Cartwright starts projectile vomiting cherry pits as she descends into madness, it absolutely chills me to the bone. This is especially effective as the scene is intercut with Van Horne coaxing the women to, “Have another cherry.”

If you haven’t seen this classic in a while, it’s definitely time for a rewatch.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Movies

Mike Flanagan Comes Aboard To Assist in Completion of ‘Shelby Oaks’

Published

on

shelby oaks

If you have been following Chris Stuckmann on YouTube you are aware of the struggles he has had getting his horror movie Shelby Oaks finished. But there’s good news about the project today. Director Mike Flanagan (Ouija: Origin Of Evil, Doctor Sleep and The Haunting) is backing the film as a co-executive producer which might bring it much closer to being released. Flanagan is a part of the collective Intrepid Pictures which also includes Trevor Macy and Melinda Nishioka.

Shelby Oaks
Shelby Oaks

Stuckmann is a YouTube movie critic who’s been on the platform for over a decade. He came under some scrutiny for announcing on his channel two years ago that he would no longer be reviewing films negatively. However contrary to that statement, he did a non-review essay of the panned Madame Web recently saying, that studios strong-arm directors to make films just for the sake of keeping failing franchises alive. It seemed like a critique disguised as a discussion video.

But Stuckmann has his own movie to worry about. In one of Kickstarter’s most successful campaigns, he managed to raise over $1 million for his debut feature film Shelby Oaks which now sits in post-production. 

Hopefully, with Flanagan and Intrepid’s help, the road to Shelby Oak’s completion is reaching its end. 

“It’s been inspiring to watch Chris working toward his dreams over the past few years, and the tenacity and DIY spirit he displayed while bringing Shelby Oaks to life reminded me so much of my own journey over a decade ago,” Flanagan told Deadline. “It’s been an honor to walk a few steps with him on his path, and to offer support for Chris’ vision for his ambitious, unique movie. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”

Stuckmann says Intrepid Pictures has inspired him for years and, “it’s a dream come true to work with Mike and Trevor on my first feature.”

Producer Aaron B. Koontz of Paper Street Pictures has been working with Stuckmann since the beginning is also excited about the collaboration.

“For a film that had such a hard time getting going, it’s remarkable the doors that then opened to us,” said Koontz. “The success of our Kickstarter followed by the on-going leadership and guidance from Mike, Trevor, and Melinda is beyond anything I could have hoped for.”

Deadline describes the plot of Shelby Oaks as follows:

“A combination of documentary, found footage, and traditional film footage styles, Shelby Oaks centers on Mia’s (Camille Sullivan) frantic search for her sister, Riley, (Sarah Durn) who ominously disappeared in the last tape of her “Paranormal Paranoids” investigative series. As Mia’s obsession grows, she begins to suspect that the imaginary demon from Riley’s childhood may have been real.”

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Movies

New ‘MaXXXine’ Image is Pure 80s Costume Core

Published

on

A24 has unveiled a captivating new image of Mia Goth in her role as the titular character in “MaXXXine”. This release comes approximately a year and a half after the previous installment in Ti West’s expansive horror saga, which covers more than seven decades.

MaXXXine Official Trailer

His latest continues the story arc of freckle-faced aspiring starlet Maxine Minx from the first film X which took place in Texas in 1979. With stars in her eyes and blood on her hands, Maxine moves into a new decade and a new city, Hollywood, in pursuit of an acting career, “But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.”

The photo below is the latest snapshot released from the film and shows Maxine in full Thunderdome drag amid a crowd of teased hair and rebellious 80s fashion.

MaXXXine is set to open in theaters on July 5.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Movies

Will ‘Scream VII’ Focus on The Prescott Family, Kids?

Published

on

Since the beginning of the Scream franchise, it seems there have been NDAs handed out to the cast to not reveal any plot details or casting choices. But clever internet sleuths can pretty much find anything these days thanks to the World Wide Web and report what they find as conjecture instead of fact. It’s not the best journalistic practice, but it gets buzz going and if Scream has done anything well over the past 20-plus years it’s creating buzz.

In the latest speculation of what Scream VII will be about, horror movie blogger and deduction king Critical Overlord posted in early April that casting agents for the horror movie are looking to hire actors for children’s roles. This has led to some believing Ghostface will target Sidney’s family bringing the franchise back to its roots where our final girl is once again vulnerable and afraid.

It is common knowledge now that Neve Campbell is returning to the Scream franchise after being low-balled by Spyglass for her part in Scream VI which led to her resignation. It’s also well-known that Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega won’t be back any time soon to play their respective roles as sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter. Execs scrambling to find their bearings got broadsided when director Cristopher Landon said he would also not be going forward with Scream VII as originally planned.

Enter Scream creator Kevin Williamson who is now directing the latest installment. But the Carpenter’s arc has been seemingly scrapped so which direction will he take his beloved films? Critical Overlord seems to think it will be a familial thriller.

This also piggy-backs news that Patrick Dempsey might return to the series as Sidney’s husband which was hinted at in Scream V. Additionally, Courteney Cox is also considering reprising her role as the badass journalist-turned-author Gale Weathers.

As the film starts filming in Canada sometime this year, it will be interesting to see how well they can keep the plot under wraps. Hopefully, those who don’t want any spoilers can avoid them through production. As for us, we liked an idea that would bring the franchise into the mega-meta universe.

This will be the third Scream sequel not directed by Wes Craven.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading