Jamila Robinson, Staff Writer

If you’ve engaged with any media in recent years, you might have noticed a familiar figure recurring in television shows, films and movies: the Devil himself. His presence is unmistakable, known by various names such as Lucifer, Satan and Beelzebub. With Halloween just around the corner, it seems fitting to address this ancient character. We do not wish to diminish the seriousness of this figure, as we are a respected Catholic institution of higher learning. This is a space for thoughtful dialogue, but we would like you to please tread carefully; if you believe in the concept of good, you must also recognize the existence of evil. Why are we so okay with saying his name, viewing his image and watching the carnage he orchestrates?

Could it be that “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself?” as said by Hermione Granger, a character from “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J.K. Rowling. It was once very true for many. The fear of saying his name, even allowing it into your thoughts was a complete and utter no. But that has clearly changed as we are seeing this character plastered on screens across the world, and so many people have become very comfortable with it. It makes you consider the question: are we even fearful of the Devil anymore? 

In November, 2021, Pew Research reported that 62% of American adults believe in Hell; that is an increase from 58% in 2014, and pop culture appears to be taking full advantage of the curiosity that surrounds the Devil, Hell and its inhabitants. The Devil is front and center in movies, TV shows, podcasts and even children’s books. There are Satan After School Clubs, these proliferating Satanist groups even have their own political divisions. Not since 1973, when The Exorcist was a cultural phenomenon on its way to becoming the first horror film to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Picture has Satan been such a popular topic. 

We are humans. We crave spirituality, but a Gallup poll in 2021 noted that for the first time in U.S. history less than half of all Americans were members of a church, synagogue or mosque. And to fill the void, many are embracing a rejection of received social customs and expected behavioral norms in favor of embracing “me-first” pleasure. The adoption of Satan as a figurehead is merely another “shock” ceiling the movement has broken through. New-age, the occult, witches, warlocks, Satan—people are intrigued, and Hollywood feeds it to us. Hollywood is selling us demonic activity, and the masses are enjoying it. However, I must caution you that curiosity with respect to demons is dangerous, and meddling with the occult is flat-out not wise. 

Additionally, if we venture further beyond movies, TV shows, books and a bunch of video games featuring the devil, there is The Satanic Temple, which boasts of being the only religious organization recognized as a church by the IRS and the Federal Court System, given other church’s hadn’t the need to fight court battles in order to be recognized as such.

Regardless of your religious beliefs, it’s clear that Hollywood movies and TV shows have significantly influenced the public’s perception of the devil and evil. These portrayals can range from frightening to humorous, presenting a rather unsettling perspective. As the Halloween season approaches and you dive into parties, traditions, games and candy, it’s essential to be mindful of what you expose yourself to. Remember, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” Here, we present a small selection of movies and series where the Devil is featured, mentioned or makes an appearance.

Title	Media Type	Year
Late Night with the Devil	Movie	2024
The Devil in Ohio	Series	2022
The Devil’s Hour	Movie	2022
The Bastard Son of the Devil	Series	2022
The Sandman	Series	2022
Evil	Series	2019
Good Omens	Series	2019
Lucifer	Series	2016
Penny Dreadful	Series	2014
Grimm	Series	2011
Devil	Movie	2010
Pan’s Labyrinth	Movie	2006
Supernatural	Series	2005
Constantine	Movie	2005
Storm of the Century	Movie	1999
End of Days	Movie	1999
Fallen	Movie	1998
The Devil’s Advocate	Movie	1997
The Prophecy	Movie	1995
The Witches of Eastwick	Movie	1987
Hellraiser	Movie	1987
Angel Heart	Movie	1987
Legend	Movie	1985
The Omen	Movie	1976
The Exorcist	Movie	1973
Rosemary’s Baby	Movie	1968