Homebrewed Christianity

Ryan Duns: From Jaws to K-Pop Demon Hunters: How Horror Films Reveal the Sacred

Sep 29, 2025
Ryan G. Duns, SJ, is a Jesuit priest and theology professor at Marquette University, exploring the intersection of horror films and theology. He presents intriguing ideas that horror is a conservative genre, revealing our metaphysical vulnerabilities and desires for meaning. Duns discusses concepts like 'frag events' and the 'dark transcendent', using films like The Purge and The Black Phone to highlight the connection between fear and faith. He even shares anecdotes from his theology class, showcasing horror's role in deepening spiritual conversations.
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INSIGHT

Horror Depends On A Relatable Status Quo

  • Horror works because viewers invest in preserving a relatable status quo before it's threatened.
  • That conservative baseline makes horror a rich site for theological reflection on what we protect.
INSIGHT

Horror Versus Terror Defined

  • Horror differs from terror by being directed at a specific horrifying object.
  • Terror is atmospheric unease while horror points to a particular monster or threat.
INSIGHT

Metataxis And Frag Events

  • Metataxis describes the cinematic disruption when a monster intrudes on normality.
  • Frag events are ruptures that intimate a larger transcendent reality beyond measured experience.
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