Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Consecration’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

We are taught from a very early age, to cherish religion and cherish faith, and it makes sense as to why. After all, Sundays at church are indeed something of an American tradition and gathering with other like-minded individuals to worship and give thanks to a Deity that has bestowed upon us so many gifts, by virtue is a positive concept. Not to mention, it allows for us to interact with people and get to know new friends and ultimately, faith and our belief in something more should help guide us to new heights. Where we never feel alone and are always filled with love and a strength, that makes us bold and brave and ready to take on any problem that life sends our way. 
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But while those are good reasons to hold to the church and the power of faith, faith wanes for so many as they grow older and they abandon the church, and there are plenty of reasons as to why. Such as the fact that there is a real hypocrisy in the church, since its congregations have been known to hate in the name of a book that teaches love, or they use the forgiveness that Christ the Redeemer offers to be an utter asshat to people because they’ll be absolved via ten Hail Mary’s. Not to mention, the understanding that the church can be as corrupt and ugly a place as any other institution in America, as evidenced by what the Boston Globe uncovered some twenty years ago… only helps people to recognize that this is not for them, and that is further reinforced by the other horror stories we hear about the church as well.

Tales that come from people who spent years within its walls and its ‘love’, only to leave it decades later with disdain and pain in their hearts from the systemic abuse it provides in the name of order and faith, and those are the true horrors of the church. The kind that should give everyone pause and should prompt change. But alas those stories don’t come forth often enough to do so, but that is starting to change via popular culture, as evidenced by a brand-new horror film on Shudder entitled, Consecration. Which is a story that introduces us to a woman named Grace who is forced to spend time at her brother’s convent when he supposedly ends his own life, which plunges her into a world of mysteries and horrors that outright take the time to explore… the dark side of the church. 

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Courtesy of a grand examination of the toxic things that the church does to ensure that faith is maintained by both those chosen by God to serve and the flock, they preach the gospel to. Such as the gaslighting that takes place in the church, and the guilt tripping that constantly happens to keep people close to their faith. Which leads to some powerful moments. The kind that truly make the viewer uncomfortable as they watch this convent lean hard into fear tactics and guilt and outright verbal abuse to hammer home beliefs that feel outdated and that leads to the next important aspect of this film’s exploration of the dark side of faith. Since it explores the why behind such behaviors and it what speaks to in that regard is both fascinating and downright horrifying.

Simply because this story does a wonderful job of pointing out that a great deal of the church is filled to the brim with flawed and broken individuals that need actual help and guidance to heal their own wounds. But instead, use faith as their healing/saving grace, and as an excuse to push their pain and their own agenda upon others. Which adds a real horror to our understanding of the church and faith in general, since it speaks to a system created out of good intentions, that has transformed into a place of cyclical abuse that seemingly cannot be broken. All of which brings forth a fascinating horror feature, one that leaves us with plenty to think about… since it presents the church in such a different light than we are normally used to.

Which will undoubtedly make this a controversial film since the church does still have power and still is beloved by many. Which is why perhaps there are some classic horror elements to be found here… to soften the blow of the commentary and soften the shocking look we receive regarding the church, and those elements work here as well in smoothing that over to a casual viewer. But make no mistake about it, scares aside, this is a film that looks at the real problems the church harbors and why it needs reform and why we all need to approach it with an objective light. So, that the problems it now suffers from and the pain it has imparted upon others can be recognized and eventually removed, so it can become what it was always meant to be… a place for hope and a place to start healing.

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