The Deliverance

We're continuing our special series curated by our friend, Rev DeAnna Daniels, PhD. The series is intent on elevating horror-themed cinematic works that directly feature voices and experiences that grow our spirits, our minds, and our capacity to love all of God's FoGgers better. This week's film, directed by Lee Daniels, is THE DELIVERANCE, which centers around a struggling single mother who has battled both addiction and personal demons. When she moves her three children and her mother into a new house in Indiana, she soon finds herself battling what might very well be a real demonic presence.

Tilting away from stereotypical Catholic approaches to exorcism tales, The Deliverance is rooted directly in the Pentecostal tradition of deliverance ministry. It makes some dubious creative choices -- including a wide-swing choice of characterization from Glenn Close -- and it's not clear if the end result is as effective as it would like to be. But there is something undeniably compelling in the substance of the film that is difficult to dismiss.

Joining us and DeAnna is returning friend of the show Dr. Nicole Symmonds and newcomer to the FoG, Dr. James Howard Hill. Together we dive deep into both the missteps and the potential of the film's thematic interests, including the ways faith-centric thrillers have often missed the greater opportunities to speak to a truly liberating theological framework.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts here..

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