Possession, Politics, and Patriotism: The Influence of Christian Nationalism and Evangelical Horror Tropes on The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2

Abstract

This article studies evangelical horror fiction, such as the Left Behind series, Chick tracts, and the Hell House, which have been relatively popular in American evangelical communities. Despite being labeled as fiction, these horror stories have traditionally been consumed as reality and/or prophecy. Many have relied on Christian nationalist ideas, such as anti-gay and anti-abortion rhetoric, in their stories. While the relationship between evangelical horror and the Christian Right has impacted its evangelical consumers both theologically and politically, its transcendence into non-evangelical popular culture is less researched. This paper looks at how evangelical horror tropes, most of which are inspired by Christian nationalist ideology, have been appropriated by non-evangelical fiction. Analysis of The Conjuring and its sequel will reveal the adoption of many tropes often found in evangelical horror and the Christian Right.