What are occults or cults?
An occult can be defined simply as a supernatural practice of a phenomena deriving from the Latin term occultus meaning "hidden" or "secret", or cult which is a religious devotion to a unified leader or figure. Both are referenced and associated with the idea or concept of the worship of the devil or sorcery, figuratively linking to psychological horrors in the idea that humans strive to be aware of the unknown or proscribed. The use of satanic rituals can be associated with the ideas of folk tales, or more recently the conspiracies of ideas such as the illuminati.
Reasons people join cults.
- Sense of belonging or purpose to a particular way of life, or group of individuals
- Sense of control on other members, power thirst or dominance.
- Psychological and physical dependency on other cult members, as a socialisation process.
- Attempt to alter the concept on how people view or perceive ideals, desires and needs.
Examples of horror films that include cults.
- Rosemary's Baby
This alternatively, includes the use of cults and worshipping of the devil in a home setting of an apartment building, despite previous residents we become aware of including cannibalists; however, the setting itself is relatively residential, one many audience members could relate to, taking aspects of psychological horror. The characters within it, are unsuspecting elderly neighbours who ultimately offer the male (Rosemary's husband) a fulfilling acting career, in return for a child from the devil impregnated in Rosemary: one he ultimately accepts. Due to the unsuspicious nature of the neighbours, another relatively natural setting is produced; provoking fear into the audience at the concept of those around them possibly partaking in cult activities and sacrificial acts: a situation Rosemary would never have anticipated previously.
- The Wicker Man
Infamous for its release during the 1970's, being voted as a cult classic of that era, the Wicker Man presents the notorious, heinous illustrations of religious cults that are personified by a whole town. In the search for a missing child, Christian Sergeant Howie, visits a small Scottish island where he is unaware of their distinctive monstrous religion with surreal properties and traditions. The distinguishing examining features of the Wicker Man is not only its colouring, but personally the use of original masks that execute an inhumane, and diacritic breach from humanity and compassion that cults execute. A property that could be particularly haunting, but exceptional in our final piece.
- Martyrs
Therefore, since the previous cult horrors included psychological and religious aspects, I finally found more of an original concept within this plot aspect. Leading me thus, to Martyrs, an individual and iconic more gruesome representation of cults, with a sickening twist to provide a final resolution. The plot focuses on two girls Lucie and Anna, fundamentally introducing us to them as children: Lucie was held captive as a child within a slaughterhouse for torture, within the youth home she later inhabits a youth home with Anna. Years later, after revealing little about her past, Lucie tracks and murders a family she believes were the culprits: Anna accompanies her in covering the murders until Mademoiselle arrived, the leader of this cult. Their purpose, or hope is to find martyrs not victims who through brutal systematic suffering will achieve transcendence and explore the world between life and death... Torturing young girls to produce the cults desire, Martyrs.
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