Satanic Sundays! In The Face Of A Cult

This week I decided to highlight six films that carry a similar theme in honor of several television shows coming out soon. So this Satanic Sundays! Sunday is all about cults. I mean what is more terrifying than some spiritual authority controlling the masses with fear and propaganda than through an organized and well spun collection of religious dogma? So to gear up for the new collective of tales coming  here are six flicks that cry out with warning about the dark shadow that is cast from the cult of personality and tyranny.

1. Suspiria (1977)

A young American dancer travels to Europe to join a famous ballet school. As she arrives, the camera turns to another young woman, who appears to be fleeing from the school. She returns to her apartment where she is gruesomely murdered by a hideous creature. Meanwhile, the young American is trying to settle in at the ballet school, but hears strange noises and is troubled by bizarre occurrences. She eventually discovers that the school is merely a front for a much more sinister organization. Directed by Dario Argento and starring Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini and Flavio Bucci.




2. The Master (2012)

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Mike Howard and Amy Adams. Returning from Navy service in World War II, Freddie Quell drifts through a series of PTSD-driven breakdowns. Finally he stumbles upon a cult which engages in exercises to clear emotions and he becomes deeply involved with them.







3. Deadly Blessings (1981)

A former Hittite (a member of an Amish-like sect) dies in a mysterious tractor "accident", and his widow is left to face the frightening Hittites who view her as "the incubus" and may have sinister designs on her. Directed by Wes Craven and starring Maren Jensen, Sharon Stone, Jeff East,  Douglas Barr and Susan Buckner.







4. Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

Martha has run away from an abusive hippie-like cult where she was living as Marcy May for two years. She turns to her sister and brother-in-law who take her in and want to help her. The problem is Martha is having a hard time separating dreams from reality and when haunting memories of her past keep resurfacing, she may need more help than anyone is able to give her. Directed by Sean Durkin and starring Elizabeth Olsen,Christopher Abbott, Sarah Paulson, Brady Corbet  and John Hawkes.





5. The Visitation (2006)

Directed by Robby Henson and starring Martin Donovan, Edward Furlong, Randy Travis and Kelly Lynch. In Antioch, the former Father Travis Jordan lost his faith on God three years ago when his beloved wife was murdered and the criminals never found. Suddenly, miracles happen in the little town: the son of the newcomer and veterinary Morgan Elliot survives a car accident without a single scratch; Travis's dog Max revives after being buried; a paraplegic walks; a wounded woman and her father with brain tumor heal. In all the events, three men wearing black were seen, and then the unknown Brandon Nichols claims to be Jesus Christ. The local population worships Brandon, while Travis and Morgan feel that something is wrong and conduct an investigation, disclosing that evil has possessed the dwellers.

6. Ticket To Heaven (1981)

David is a young man seduced by a religious cult that uses starvation, exhaustion, and brainwashing to mold recruits into money hustling disciples of a messiah-like leader. Chronicles David's chilling transformation into a gaunt, mindless shadow of his former self...and his ultimate salvation when friends and family launch a plan to kidnap and deprogram him. Directed by Nick Mancuso, Saul Rubinek and Meg Foster.