Something I've seen floated is that there was a collapse of the rom-com because the possible upside just wasn't as big as it is for other genres. Is it possible that this is falling into that same bucket where it doesn't cost a ton to make, but it's also very unlikely to earn enough to make it worth it to bigger studios?
I wonder if the rejection doesn't also go in the other direction, with Christian filmmakers not really wanting to be identified with the Sodom and Gomorrah of Hollywood if they can find money and backing elsewhere. An analysis of the distribution channels and how easy it is for Christian filmmakers to access them compared to Hollywood would be interesting, if that's up your alley.
I wonder if there is an aspect of fearing controversy and violent retribution from major studios. Religion is a touchy topic and you could get strong reactions if a religious group decides that an aspect of the film / series is blasphemy.
Are faith-based films the romance novels of cinema—often overlooked by critics, yet consistently drawing a devoted audience and quietly accumulating profits at rates that outpace other segments?
The entire concept of Christian distribution is built on not being accepted by 'the world.' If 'the world' accepted this, then they would be doing something wrong.
Really enjoyed reading this well made post. Never would have thought of there being such a strong similarity between horror/faith based films. I also appreciated the criticism of the group think atmosphere in Hollywood right now that is producing so many films/shows that feel the same.
I think "religious films" were part of the monoculture in that "religious = Christian". Now, studios understand that people of many faiths watch these movies, and young Jewish or Muslim audiences (to say nothing of atheists) are no longer willing to do what earlier generations have done, which is, sit through something about a faith that is not theirs.
It is interesting, as you mentioned, that modern mainstream films are so allergic to religion. In our real lives, we work with, or interact with, some people who regularly pray, or at least have a religious component of their lives. But even when some of these big movies are about faith, God is cleaved from the equation completely (like, say, the nondescript Christianity of Dom Toretto, as you mentioned). You'd think these movies would at least have one religious character everyone respected/tolerated, or in a more provocative sense, one religious character complaining about the excising of religion in certain lifestyles aspects within the framework of the story. I mean, I just saw "Megalopolis", a movie about warring visions of a new society, and not once does religion come up.
At the same time, these "faith" movies are interesting, because often, these movies feature an entire cast of characters that are unquestionably Christian. The only time a character is not Christian is if they're a nonbeliever villain, or they're very distinctly "othered" (oh look, there's a Muslim over there in the distance). "War Room" deserves its flack because it's awful, but there's one scene where a character sits down with another character and invasively asks what church they go to even though they've just met. In real life, that would be something of an invasion of privacy, even if the two people were Christian. But in stuff like "War Room", it's acceptable because movies like that unthinkingly present to the viewer a Judeo-Christian World And That's Final. That would be a hot-button moment in a "real" movie (simply for the social faux-pas -- it could spin off into a "Speak No Evil" direction) but in "War Room" it's just how Christians talk, which even Christians know is b.s.
Very thorough article… I couldn’t help but wonder if Monty Python movies fit in this category 🤭 all jokes aside, I do believe it’s a reflection of faith and spirituality as a signal of hope, of union… Although religions have a tendency to cause more destruction than union at times, the principle of every religion seems the same from my pov,… god is omnipresent, gods love is eternal and unconditional, god is love. This could be translated to “love is all, love is omnipresent and all is love. And where there is lack of love all we need is to send love. “
Something I've seen floated is that there was a collapse of the rom-com because the possible upside just wasn't as big as it is for other genres. Is it possible that this is falling into that same bucket where it doesn't cost a ton to make, but it's also very unlikely to earn enough to make it worth it to bigger studios?
Could it simply be that mainstream Hollywood is not interested in making "Christian" films because it is an overwhelmingly Jewish industry?
Very interesting piece, Daniel.
I wonder if the rejection doesn't also go in the other direction, with Christian filmmakers not really wanting to be identified with the Sodom and Gomorrah of Hollywood if they can find money and backing elsewhere. An analysis of the distribution channels and how easy it is for Christian filmmakers to access them compared to Hollywood would be interesting, if that's up your alley.
I wonder if there is an aspect of fearing controversy and violent retribution from major studios. Religion is a touchy topic and you could get strong reactions if a religious group decides that an aspect of the film / series is blasphemy.
Exactly the reason why Angel Studios “the Chosen” has had so much success 🤘
I just heard about this show this week and it's crazy how much money it crowdfunded. There is definitely more to be earned in the genre.
Are faith-based films the romance novels of cinema—often overlooked by critics, yet consistently drawing a devoted audience and quietly accumulating profits at rates that outpace other segments?
The entire concept of Christian distribution is built on not being accepted by 'the world.' If 'the world' accepted this, then they would be doing something wrong.
Really enjoyed reading this well made post. Never would have thought of there being such a strong similarity between horror/faith based films. I also appreciated the criticism of the group think atmosphere in Hollywood right now that is producing so many films/shows that feel the same.
I think "religious films" were part of the monoculture in that "religious = Christian". Now, studios understand that people of many faiths watch these movies, and young Jewish or Muslim audiences (to say nothing of atheists) are no longer willing to do what earlier generations have done, which is, sit through something about a faith that is not theirs.
It is interesting, as you mentioned, that modern mainstream films are so allergic to religion. In our real lives, we work with, or interact with, some people who regularly pray, or at least have a religious component of their lives. But even when some of these big movies are about faith, God is cleaved from the equation completely (like, say, the nondescript Christianity of Dom Toretto, as you mentioned). You'd think these movies would at least have one religious character everyone respected/tolerated, or in a more provocative sense, one religious character complaining about the excising of religion in certain lifestyles aspects within the framework of the story. I mean, I just saw "Megalopolis", a movie about warring visions of a new society, and not once does religion come up.
At the same time, these "faith" movies are interesting, because often, these movies feature an entire cast of characters that are unquestionably Christian. The only time a character is not Christian is if they're a nonbeliever villain, or they're very distinctly "othered" (oh look, there's a Muslim over there in the distance). "War Room" deserves its flack because it's awful, but there's one scene where a character sits down with another character and invasively asks what church they go to even though they've just met. In real life, that would be something of an invasion of privacy, even if the two people were Christian. But in stuff like "War Room", it's acceptable because movies like that unthinkingly present to the viewer a Judeo-Christian World And That's Final. That would be a hot-button moment in a "real" movie (simply for the social faux-pas -- it could spin off into a "Speak No Evil" direction) but in "War Room" it's just how Christians talk, which even Christians know is b.s.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
Very thorough article… I couldn’t help but wonder if Monty Python movies fit in this category 🤭 all jokes aside, I do believe it’s a reflection of faith and spirituality as a signal of hope, of union… Although religions have a tendency to cause more destruction than union at times, the principle of every religion seems the same from my pov,… god is omnipresent, gods love is eternal and unconditional, god is love. This could be translated to “love is all, love is omnipresent and all is love. And where there is lack of love all we need is to send love. “
Fantastic post!