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Drag Me to Hell

Review by Annie Young Frisbie | posted 5/29/2009 08:33AM

Drag Me to Hell is not the movie to satisfy the kids with while they eagerly await director Sam Raimi's next Spider-Man installment. It's creepy and gory, not to mention theologically suspect, and will ...

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tony	Posted: October 20, 2009 5:39 PM


Not sure, given the title of this movie, that the editors even considered this movie worthy of a review. The fact that it was given ANY kind of credence as having ANY movie-going worth, really has me questioning CT's discernment of evil and wisdom of God's will in general.

GetReal

Posted: July 16, 2009 12:36 PM


Sidesplitter, has no relationship with Jesus if he can make bogus claim as he did in the above article. Jesus see this piece of worldly trash think again. Too many so called Christians are either on the fence between being for God and the world until they just can't tell the difference between what is for God and against him. Wake up people before the lord returns and finds you sleeping.

J Carls

Posted: July 07, 2009 8:27 AM

If you are from the fire-and-brimstone branch of Christianity, this movie is right up your alley. However, I firmly believe that the target audience for this movie (teenagers and above) is smart enough to tell the difference between a popular entertainment and "witchcraft." This is a classic horror movie with its tongue firmly in it cheek, none of the "torture porn" that you see in so many modern horror movies (that I avoid) but with a high "yuck" factor that can be very funny. I would much rather my kids see an honestly scary movie like this and be able to ask them (as Ms. Frisbie's review implies) "What kind of world do these characters seem to believe in? What kind of world do you believe in? What are the real choices you have?" rather than just another rote tract in visual form.

Angel

Posted: June 22, 2009 6:33 PM


Hollywood is such a moral danger zone and the fact that they won't use the name of Jesus in movies but are forced to hint at Him as to not offend non-believers...I can't do it. It causes too much internal conflict because the simple fact is that you can not serve two masters, God and the things of this world. As for me and my house, we'll keep serving the Lord so I'll say NO to this movie.

SideSplitter

Posted: June 19, 2009 6:16 AM


I think Jesus would indeed have seen this movie. It's campy, funny and as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride. The dark occult scenes are almost slapstick and impossible to be taken seriously. A plus for concerned parents is the minimal blood-gore, little or no profanity (no F-words), and zero sexual situations. Good harmless fun that any good-humored person can appreciate--even Jesus :)

Ashley M

Posted: June 18, 2009 9:14 AM

I agree with others on here who say Christians and especially their children have NO need to see this. This will not help me get a better grasp or understanding of God or what I should be doing in my daily walk with him. This could qualify as witchcraft or sorcery and as Christians we have to guard our minds. There is no telling what subliminal or spiritual messages are being released in this movie. vote no. Plus, this world is scary enough without me going to see this movie for a cheap thrill Lol!

Grant

Posted: June 11, 2009 11:06 AM

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. I John 3:2-3 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philipians 4:8

Concerned

Posted: June 06, 2009 9:37 PM


Sam, it is too bad that you would jump to conclusons and judge a person for reading this review, when their reasons for doing so may have a higher purpose. Leave judgement to the Lord, and move on. By the way... didn't you read this review as well?

rustyboy

Posted: June 05, 2009 3:50 PM


doctrine teaches that all human beings are doomed to be dragged to hell as a punishment for original sin. Careful your calvanism is showing. it's dangerous when you use the word "all", that includes a large portion of babies and the mentally infirmed.

JamesD

Posted: June 05, 2009 3:11 AM

I came across this page through rottentomatoes.com, and after reading many of the comments, particularly geralds, as well as seeing the general bickering of all on this board, I was once again reminded why I fell away from the church in the first place. Condemnation and judgment, lectures and self-righteousness. The strictest "Christians" are some of the most cynical, least enjoyable people I have ever met. Always casting stones, always decrying others. They think their standards are the right ones, the only ones, all others are wrong. Yelling about how this or that isn't healthy or holy or what have you. It makes me sick. Look...you guys can't even agree amongst yourselves, the supposed disciples of Christ's love and you can't even love each other! What a joke. You trash talk and bicker over something as trivial as a single silly movie! I hope you're all very proud.

Cheery

Posted: June 04, 2009 4:19 PM

I'm all for any movies causing people to think about Biblical issues and have conversations, but I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone, Christian or non-Christian. It is my belief that no matter how much we don't think it does, darkness as portrayed in this movie gets into us through our eyes and ears, and I truly don't think Jesus would watch this movie. I believe it affects us in ways we don't realize (or for some of us, we do realize it very much when we start having nightmares), and I think it opens the door a crack for the enemy to get in. Certainly there is darkness in the world, but we don't have to make a choice to go and watch it on the big screen.

Pete	Posted: June 04, 2009 10:58 AM

I am sorry, but the last comment by "Jesus Christ" or whoever your name is, by definition, you need serious help if you want to drag your kids to see this. Do not be fooled by the PG13 rating, which is far too mild a cert for this movie. In the UK this is an R rating or 18+ cert. oh and please do not use the name of our Saviour in a frivilous manner, please. oh and before you say anything, I have got a life, redeemed by the Lord, and it would not be expedient or permissable to watch this if the Lord has stated in the Word to renew your mind. However the Lord also said you have a free will, so knock yourselves out...! just leave the kids at home.

JibberJabber

Posted: June 04, 2009 10:56 AM

As much as I like a good horror movie and this was a decent one, I can understand why watching movies such as this can be frustrating for Christians. I sat and watched this young woman in the film go through all of these changes to prevent herself from going to Hell, while I and other Christians knew the solution all along. Instead of researching through all of these ancient occultist texts to find ways to counteract the gypsy curse and prevent the main character from being Hell-bound, it would have been nice if at least one character in the movie would have remembered an ancient book that is the authority on preventing the “Hell-Bound” condition…it’s called “The Bible”. The only way to prevent yourself from being “dragged into Hell” is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. As demonstrated by the film, your own attempts to “save” yourself will ultimately prove fruitless.

Charles

Posted: June 02, 2009 11:32 AM

I am self-employed and because of the economy, my wife and I really can't afford to go to the movies anymore. But I still enjoy reading the CT reviews and appreciate the wide variety of movies they take a look at. And when I read the self-righteousness comments of the few who condemn not just the movie but this magazine for reviewing it makes me wonder about who made you the judge. You could actually being doing something to help someone, but no, much easier to boast about how good you are and how bad the rest of us are. It's a lovely attitude, the kind that drives many to the theater instead of the Church.

Alicia

Posted: June 01, 2009 5:15 PM

Good review by Ms. Frisbie. My review of "Drag Me to Hell" would be called, "Button, button, who's got the button?" It's not about going to Hell at all, IMO, it's about the fear of being one of life's losers, and about what thin gruel "niceness" is compared to other virtues such as loyalty or compassion. Christine's failing is that she is the kind of girl who constantly says "how cute!" but who lacks real substance. If the old gypsy woman had been a cute old woman instead of hideous and gross (reminding Christine of her own fat self?) would Christine have turned her down for the loan extension? And would a truly good person be so casual about the death of the medium who was trying to save her?

josh	Posted: June 01, 2009 2:09 PM

i can appreciate people's desire to stay away from movies like this one, but this review in no way endorsed this film or made any sort of claim that all christians can go out and see it. I think Christianity Today is the ONLY Christian website that provide real movie reviews with interesting insight and I hope you guys keep on the good work. Those who are chastising them, take a reading comprehension class and then read the review again. As for the movie itself, I didn't really feel like it has any real redemptive value. I would have enjoyed it more if the old woman's motive for cursing her was something more significant than being turned down for a loan. But I will admit, the movie was certainly a digusting, hilariously over the top thrill ride and I was thorougly entertained.

Chris

Posted: June 01, 2009 12:35 PM


"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" - Matthew 6:22-23

Ed	Posted: June 01, 2009 10:46 AM

Well, "Anonymous" good luck with that. But nourishment is an ephemeral idea. The real question here is whether something can be gritty and unpleasant and still be nourishing. I would point you to the Bible passages on the reanimation of the dry bones, the death of Herod, the smiting of Ananias and Saphira, and even the cross as examples of things that should offend, but yet are nourishing and beneficial. Quit casting aspersions on those stronger brothers and sisters whose sensitivities are not so delicate as yours. If it suits you to avoid certain things, fine, but do not condemn others who are living within the freedom of a relationship with Christ. Thank you, CT, for helping us to make good, informed choices.

Mangolite

Posted: May 31, 2009 2:22 AM

YES!!! I Just saw DRAG ME TO HELL and it starts with a bang, literally, if you mess with the devil, you'll definitely go to hell. It's gross yet spectacularly funny and surprisingly engaging with some thoughtful meandering plots about how far would we go to NOT going to hell when our fate is inevitable. Sam and the casts and crew did a fantastic job of bringing this little thrill ride to the screen. I actually felt for Justin Long's character at the end. BTW, a quick to note the nay sayer, if horror is not your thing, then abandon it but you need to know your subject before denouncing it. And parents, always check out the movie before letting the kids view it.

Mr. Binky

Posted: May 30, 2009 10:27 PM


Uhm, its a fun thrill ride and a hilarious movie. Don't over think it, life is to be enjoyed.

Jeff Savage

Posted: May 30, 2009 8:14 PM

I'm a Christian...AND I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! Look, you can't read too much into it. It's fiction. A good old campy horror movie, and great film making. The sound was great, the editing was FANTASTIC. I DONT recommend taking the kids, or if you aren't a fan of the genre. But it's a return to classic 1970's "we don't know what we are going to see...it's too quiet!" film. I was covering my ears and squinting ha ha ha...then it scared me and I laughed.

Jesus Christ

Posted: May 30, 2009 3:58 PM


Chill out, guys. It's a good movie. Go see it. The Word also says that everything is permissible. Not necessarily beneficial. If seeing a psychic in a clear B-movie makes you want to go get a reading...well, you are clearly mentally handicapped. I would take my kid to this. Three times. Or more.

Mangolite

Posted: May 30, 2009 1:08 PM

I love horror film and it's funny that in supernatural horror, the emphasis is always on the devil and very little about God, because, God always seemed to be quiet until the end, and that is why most film uses other means of good triumph over evil. For any good horror film such as the EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE balances beliefs and the supernatural which opens up dialogues. CT have always be opened about controversial subject in films and have not shy to reveal both good and bad points, while most readers are still trapped with moral ambiguity and will regress to see or acknowledge such a film. I for one planned to see this film this weekend and will give my take on it later.

Susan K

Posted: May 30, 2009 9:38 AM


Well, I love a good scary movie as long as it's not a slasher. I'll go see it and leave the kids at home.

ibelongtojesus

Posted: May 30, 2009 9:15 AM


I grew up on horror movies and plan to see this. I absolutely think this will be a 4 star. I am not sure if Jesus would watch it but I can not say that he would not either just from a lesson point of view.

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