Giving the Devil His Due

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This collection of essays delves into the significant and pervasive representations of Satan in film, highlighting the deep-rooted connection between Lucifer and cinema since its inception. As the embodiment of pure evil and humanity's greatest antagonist, the cinematic devil reflects our cultural anxieties and desires, shaping collective notions of good and evil, sin, and salvation. This groundbreaking anthology examines the historical and cultural significance of Satan onscreen, asserting that the devil is not merely a recurring monster but an active force in our lives. Films featuring the devil serve as narratives that sometimes reinforce, and at other times challenge, established belief systems. Spanning from the 1890s to the twenty-first century, the essays investigate how these cinematic portrayals reveal insights into filmmaking, audience desires, and the cultural contexts of the films. Organized loosely by film, the collection includes analyses of classics such as Faust, Rosemary's Baby, The Omen, and The Last Temptation of Christ, along with the devil's role in Disney animation. Contributors explore how these representations of Satan illuminate the hypnotic nature of cinema and reflect evolving social anxieties regarding morality and humanity's place in the universe.