The Passion as Horror Film: St. Mel of the Cross

Abstract

Abstract: The precursors of The Passion’s gory torture and crucifixion are action and horror films, not the gospels or Jesus films. Given his previous work, Gibson’s use of the suffering, action hero conventions is not unexpected. The more surprising use of horror techniques likely reflects horror’s popularity and the spread of its artifice through so much of recent cinema. The Passion so effectively displays crucifixion’s gore and violence that its “hidden” providential narrative may be lost on many. Moreover, the successful spectacle also raises questions about the gospels’ own relationships to horror.