Silver screen superstitions
By Gene X. Christian
Image Credit: DALL-E
In the comedy special Hello, World!, comedian Nate Bargatze tells the story of being the child of Christians in the era of the Satanic Panic.
I had 80s and 90s Christian parents. Well, that’s the most Christian you can ever get of the Christian. I think Jesus had more fun than I did. — Nate Bargatze, Hello, World!
He tells a story that was eerily similar to one I had as a young kid of, well, 80s and 90s Christian parents. Like Bargatze, I was at a sleepover at a friend’s house up the block. There was discussion about watching a scary movie, so the hosting parents let us watch Friday the 13th.
I was uncomfortable with this, and voiced my concern that I shouldn’t be watching it. I didn’t ask to call my parents to come get me like Bargatze tells in his story, but I stayed and dealt with my uncomfortableness. Looking back now, I am sure my friend’s parents weren’t sure what to do either. They were great people, but now had to deal with a kid from a pretty religious family of the 1980s.
It would be one of many uncomfortable and embarrassing scenarios I would have in my youth.
Now, let’s skip ahead to almost four decades later. A few years ago my mom had been sick and went through a period of hospitalization. She was discharged, and was free to recover at home. One day, I called my dad to see how she was doing, but opted not to talk to her. I wanted her to get her rest and didn’t want to disturb her.
That evening, I decided to watch a movie. The movie was called The VVitch, and tells the story of a Puritan family in the 1600s who, banished from their community for their beliefs, make a home near a New England woods. Bad things happen.
I poured myself a shot of whiskey and tonic, watched half the movie, and then went to bed. A few hours later, my dad called me in the middle of the night to say that my mom had died unexpectedly.
Not long after, a thought crept into my head: did mom die because I watched that movie? Was this punishment for watching a movie about a witch?
In evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity, witches were not to be taken lightly. Demons, tarot cards, ouija boards, devil costumes — these were all tools of the devil, used to deceive mankind to pull away from an almighty, jealous, angry God.
The superstition from Christianity’s dogma was so strong, it carried with me decades later into adulthood.
In the past few weeks I have heard nothing but praise for the new Nosferatu movie. The reviews are good, but the feedback from trusted film lovers in my inner circle were even better. The verdict is a resounding “chef’s kiss.”
Nosferatu was directed by Robert Eggers, who also directed The VVitch. Eggers has a flare for dark folklore.
This weekend I watched The VVitch again. Nothing bad happened. There were no deaths, no injuries, no curses.
In fact as a big snowstorm entered the area, one of my kids was at work and it had gotten very slick. Worried about her safety getting home, I had her call me before she left work. She’s a relatively new driver, and has never driven in anything this treacherous.
I used my experience, wisdom, and a little bit of science to give her the safest path home. I warned her about not driving too fast, and to give plenty of distance between others to allow plenty of time to stop in slick, icy conditions.
She rounded the corner, and I stood outside the house watching her movements with the Find My app. She pulled into the driveway, shut off her car and opened the door. I had one thing to say to her:
“Girl, I am so damn proud of you. You did great.”
No superstition needed, no prayers to be said. She did the work and made it home safely. All she needed was some guidance and self confidence.
Looking back at it now, as a new unbeliever, I realize how religion-based superstition can make people madder than a box of frogs. It takes power away from the individual. It robs people of thinking for themselves, shackled by myths about a God who isn’t there.
Once this storm lets up and the roads get back to normal, I look forward to seeing Nosferatu. My superstitions are gone now.
Let’s go to the movies.
Published on 2025-01-05