Top 5 Cinema Antichrist Films
Steve Barton
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The devil. He does have a way of showing up at the worst possible time and throwing a wrench into even the best laid plans. In celebration of the release of Devil’s Due on January 17th, we bring you our Top 5 Antichrist Films.
For honorable mentions we’ve got to include Michael Langdon (spawn of Tate and Vivien) from “American Horror Story: Murder House,” the original season. Of course Hellboy holds at least some claim to the throne as well.
Research gave us the unforgettable name of Randall Flagg, who appears across many of the works of Stephen King as another possible antichrist. But the most amusing has to be Alan Moore’s depiction of Harry Potter (although never named outright, it’s quite clear whom he’s referring to) in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic as the true son of Satan (click here if you’re unfamiliar with the reference).
Unfortunately we have to leave out Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist as the devil’s child doesn’t actually appear in the film. Actually, there’s no time for him with all that insane violence and fucking going on. But anyway… on to the Top 5 Antichrist Films.
The Omen
Is there any better film to start this list with than The Omen? Damien Thorn is the true embodiment of the antichrist character. Even his first name became synonymous with the creature. Damien’s influence transcended horror films and became a part of mainstream society as it was common to hear a unruly child referred to as Damien, insinuating the little brat pitching a fit in the Walmart toy section because he couldn’t get a new WWE action figure might indeed be the son of Old Scratch himself. The original film from 1976 was created on a budget of less than $3 million and would go on to gross over $60 million and spawn several sequels, a remake and nightmares aplenty.
The Devil’s Advocate
“Better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven.” This line from 17th century poet John Milton’s iconic work Paradise Lost is directly quoted in The Devil’s Advocate to Al Pacino’s character, conveniently named John Milton. Pacino is legendarily fiery as The Wicked One (dig his great speech below). And we come to find out that ambitious young lawyer Kevin Lomax (played by Keanu Reeves) is his son. In this particular tale, Satan wants Kevin to breed with his half-sister to create the true antichrist, but Kevin refuses, citing his right to free will. But as the film’s fun, twist ending shows us, it’s not really that easy to say no to The Devil. He’ll find a way to get what he wants. And fyi… vanity is his favorite sin. Damn, we’re fucked.
Prince of Darkness
John Carpenter’s offering to antichrist films is his memorable movie Prince of Darkness. Besides featuring Alice Cooper, Prince of Darkness may go down as the most horrific film ever produced on a Disney lot. That’s a fact, as post-production for the film was done at the Disney Studios in Burbank. The concept for the film came from Carpenter’s own studies on theoretical physics and atomic theory and contemplating what would happen if some of those concepts were combined with an ultimate evil. Prince of Darkness features Carpenter regulars Donald Pleasence and Victor Wong as well as the antichrist in green-goo form. Not his traditional look, but all the better to possess you with, my dear.
Fear No Evil
Oh, things are not good for the Alexandria High School Class of 1981. This class of uncontrollable hellions are all going to Hell. Well, most of them are. Andrew isn’t going because he’s the one sending them there. You see, Andrew’s feelings of isolation and not-so-freshness are not him going through the change into manhood. Andrew is realizing he’s the antichrist. And, dammit, he’s not going to take it anymore. A fun film for the directorial debut of Frank LaLoggia, starring Stefan Arngrim in the role of Andrew. Certainly inspired (and motivated) by the success of The Omen, Fear No Evil takes a different look at the antichrist… it’s the high school years.
Rosemary’s Baby
“What have you done to him? What have you done to his eyes? You maniacs!” Mia Farrow’s iconic reaction upon seeing her baby while surrounded by a roomful of Satanists is sheer filmmaking brilliance. Check out the scene below and relish the uber-creepiness of it all. Based on the novel by Ira Levin, which happened to be the best-selling horror novel of the 60’s, Rosemary’s Baby was immediately a huge commercial and critical success. However, Mia Farrow was not the first choice to play Rosemary. Director Roman Polanski originally wanted a more full-figured actress and even considered his wife, Sharon Tate. Also of note is the fact that Ruth Gordon won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Minnie Castevet in the film. That was the only Academy Award given to a horror film until 23 years later when The Silence of the Lambs was honored.
20th Century Fox’s Devil’s Due, featuring Allison Miller (“Terra Nova”) and Zach Gilford (“Friday Night Lights”), opens in theaters everywhere January 17, 2014. Penned by Lindsay Devlin, it’s directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence).
Synopsis:
After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple find themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin.
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