With the release of a few religious films this year comes another horror film called Nefarious. This movie released last month in over one thousand theaters and is currently still showing in some theaters. The appeal of this movie is found in it being compared to a modern-day Screwtape Letters, written by C.S. Lewis. The screen adaptation originated from a book written by Steave Deace, who recently noted that the writing of this book stemmed from a voice he heard in the back of his head while showering. This voice dedicated the not yet written book to “all the useful idiots out there, especially those of you who had no idea you were being used all this time. For you proved to be the most useful idiots of them all, Nefarious.” Ultimately, the book was written from the perspective of this fictitious high-ranking demon named Nefarious, who will reveal how he hatched a plan to destroy the United States over the past 100 years.

Fast forward in time to the making of this film, which takes the character Nefarious and places him in a man named Edward, an imprisoned occult serial killer awaiting execution. However, he pleads insanity before his execution, and an atheist psychiatrist is brought in to evaluate his mental state and see if he can be executed. He engages with the convicted man claiming to be demon possessed, and Nefarious tells the psychiatrist that before the end of the night, the doctor will have killed three people. That may sound pretty clear cut, but there is more to this that many may not realize. Both directors of this film are professing Roman Catholics, and many who are endorsing this film are calling it a Christian film that needs to be supported by other brothers and sisters in Christ. Though the movie does attempt to tackle current atrocities of the day, such as abortion, the undertone of this film is Catholic in nature.

Though this post is not comprehensive or exhaustive with regard to this topic, I wanted to provide some observations noted regarding this film to give some food for thought.

In an interview found on the National Catholic Register, one of the directors (Solomon) answered the question pertaining to the nature of this being an exorcism film in this way, “Everything about this movie is Catholic. It’s an exorcism film, No. 1. We use [Anne] Catherine Emmerich’s visions. We talk about creation; we talk about good and evil. We talk about how the devil was thrown out.” He went on to say that they talk about the views of the Church in the film and that it is “a totally Catholic story.” They also claim that God told them to make this film. For those who may not know, Anne Catherine Emmerich was an Augustinian nun who lived in the late 18th century. She is recognized as one of the great catholic mystics, claiming to have direct knowledge of the life of Jesus, the apostles, and other peopled deemed saints by the Roman Catholic church. She wrote volumes pertaining to her numerous visions claimed since the age of six, including visions alleged of creation, the fall of the angels, the creation of Adam and Eve, and the fall of mankind.

Anne Catherine was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004 and awaits sainthood in accordance with the Roman Catholic church. Her visions were also influential in the making of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, and she was known as the “Mystic of the Land of Munster”, as well as one who bore the stigmata.

It is also worth noting that in several interviews, both directors regale harrowing accounts of demonic resistance in the making of this film. This included an account of having to bring in a priest to perform an exorcism of rite of place after hearing voices coming from a couch while trying to film a scene. This priest was said to be on set during the filming of Nefarious.

The directors have stated that there are conversions taking place from this movie and that Nefarious is designed to elicit discussions with unbelieving family and friends who watch the movie. However, the question should be posed based on the provided information, what gospel is being presented? To what faith are they being converted? For years there has been movement toward a unity of faiths, otherwise termed ecumenism. This is even seen in the New Apostolic Reformation with the call to unite with Roman Catholicism as brothers and sisters in Christ. Some have even alluded to the Reformation being a mistake or even going “too far” in various ways. This call has been made by numerous recognized leaders in the movement over the years, including those such as Lou Engle, Todd White, and Kris Vallotton, who met with the pope and esteemed him, while making note that Pope Francis wanted to bring the prophets back for future discussions.

When hearing professing Christians promoting this film and even stating that it is the most theologically sound Christian film, I have to wonder if they realize these details pertaining to it. Not only is there the push to unite in seeing this film, which promotes Catholic beliefs, but there is also an appeal to mysticism and extrabiblical revelation holding an authoritative role. There is an appeal to the demonic and to modern deliverance ministry, and those who believe that Christians can have indwelling demons are flocking to this film. There is great concern that the desire to understand and to witness the supernatural, even the demonic, is superseding the desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

People do not need a movie to know that evil exists. When conversations about sin and the true gospel of Jesus Christ take place, and they most certainly should, those who are lost need to hear that they are at enmity with God and in need of salvation. We do not focus on the devil, though we acknowledge he exists. We focus on the person needing to the hear about Christ and Him crucified. We take them to Scripture because it is the Word of God that reveals the truth about God and why they need Christ to save them from the wrath of God. They need to hear the good news.

I am not against going to watch films that are thought provoking or encouraging in the faith. These can most certainly lead to fruitful and thoughtful discussions. What I am personally concerned about is the push to unite around the term Christianity or the name of Jesus under the guise of ecumenism by means of such things. I am concerned that more is made of Satan than of God, and that people are more convinced of the devil’s existence than God. I am concerned that the appeal to extrabiblical visions and mystical encounters is deemed on par or even superior to Scripture and the simple yet profound proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need not bow to the culture so as to win them over. Romans 1:16, 17 is as true today as in the days of the early church, and true unity is found in this authority authored by God Himself.

Listen to this latest episode discussing the movie Nefarious: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: The Nefarious Call of Ecumenism on Apple Podcasts