This week on Be Afraid, we take a hard look at the origin of our fears and consider whether films in the horror genre might actually help us face those fears rather than be held captive by them. Everybody’s story is unique, but the one thing we all hold in common is that all of our fears—whatever they may be—start somewhere. They have an origin. Our ability to understand how horror films not only tap into our deepest fears but also give us an opportunity to wrestle with what terrorizes us depends on our willingness to identify and explore the moments in our lives when we first learned to fear.
Joining us this week:
Scott Derrickson is a filmmaker whose projects include, among others, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Doctor Strange, and The Black Phone.
Pete Docter is a filmmaker, animator, and voice actor. He is the chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios.
Russell Moore is Christianity Today’s editor in chief and the director of the Public Theology Project.
Brad Strawn is the chief of spiritual formation and integration at Fuller Theological Seminary and dean of the chapel, Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology, and chair of integration for the clinical psychology department.
“Be Afraid” is a production of Christianity Today, Fuller Seminary, and Uncommon Voices Collective
Executive Producer: Erik Petrik
Producer, Writer, and Editor: Kutter Callaway
Producer and Editor: Stephen Scheidler
Associate Producer: TJ Hester
Music: Jeremy Hunt and Qoheleth
Graphic Design: Stephen Scheidler