It’s probably no surprise that Halloween draws a variety of opinions — especially among churchgoers. While many pastors these days seem to steer clear of the topic to avoid unnecessary conflict, the question of whether or not Christians should watch horror or “scary” movies also has drawn a strong response on both sides.
In a recent episode of her Relatable podcast entitled, “The Great Halloween Debate,” well-known Christian commentator Allie Beth Stuckey cautioned followers of Christ to use discernment when approaching the cultural holiday — but she didn’t hold back on the “horror” genre.
“I don’t think Christians should be a fan of horror in general,” she said pointing to Scripture, among those verses were Philippians 4:8–9. “I don’t think you should be reading books that make you scared.
“I don’t think you should be listening to true crime podcasts that make you scared. I don’t think you should be watching movies that make you scared,” said Stuckey, who was raised in a Southern Baptist home. “And I have. … I’ve seen the really scary movies out there,” she added, recalling how the sci-fi thriller “Signs” — the one about a pastor going through a crisis of faith as the earth is being invaded by aliens — scared her when she was young girl.
‘Do not fear’
“How many times do we read throughout Scripture from Jesus and the Old Testament, ‘Do not fear. Do not fear.’ And yet, we purposely consume content that is meant to make us scared. I don’t think we often think about the horror content, the scary content … that you are imbibing that is actually a direct contradiction of Jesus’ command to not fear or be anxious about anything. We shouldn’t be facilitating fear.”
Stuckey’s thoughts on horror movies stirred a variety of perspectives and criticism from some who interpreted her as saying Christians should avoid suspenseful or tense subjects. She later refuted those claims.
“Hang on … I specifically warn against movies that are meant to stoke paranoia, anxiety, a nagging sense of dread and fear,” she posted on X on Oct. 26. “I don’t believe consuming that kind of content facilitates the peace to which God calls us.”
‘The most Christian genre of film’?
Conservative podcaster and author Matt Walsh, who initially sparked Stuckey’s response, went on to say of all the genres of film, horror films tackle issues of faith and spiritual topics far more than the others.
“I’d actually argue that horror is the most Christian genre of film,” he posted on X. “It’s the only category of film where the supernatural, demons, spirits, exorcisms, the Church, etc, are consistently taken seriously. The only genre where the priest might actually be the good guy. Horror has deep roots in Christian thought and tradition.”
Walsh specifically referenced “Signs,” a movie Stuckey used as an example of “scary” movies.
“The movie is literally about a former pastor regaining his faith,” said Walsh, calling it an “explicitly a Christian film.” “Not subtle at all. Also, very tame in terms of the horror elements. I watched that one with my 8-year-old and he was fine. Actually a bit bored. He expected more aliens, which I understand.”
What do pastors say?
Missouri pastor Matt Bartig can still clearly recall being kicked out of a friend’s house as a teenager when the dad, who was “madder than a wet hen,” discovered they were watching a horror movie. The 80s movie, “Shocker”, was about a death row serial killer who survives his execution in the electric chair (probably the most realistic part of the movie), transforms into electricity with the power to possess people and leap around terrorizing and killing through power lines.
For Bartig, pastor of NorthRoad Church in Moscow Mills, that story reminds him of the “dumb” horror movies back in high school that teenagers used to love to watch — “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th” and countless others. While those movies took dark, gruesome and bloody turns, the pastor says horror movies today have continued to sink lower into even darker, more evil and demonic territory.
Bartig says he personally avoids those types of movies, and he advises fellow Christians to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when choosing their entertainment.
When to walk away
“There are certain things that I can watch that I’m fine with watching, it doesn’t set my heart on things below,” he said. “There are other things that I will watch that will absolutely set my heart on things below. And so, I just don’t put my mind there. I don’t mess with anything that is demonic or cultish or anything like that.”
He noted, “We’re called to be in the world but not of the world. It is (about) listening to the Holy Spirit inside of us — and listening for that still, small voice that says walk away.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Shawn Hendricks, director of content for TAB Media Group.
