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Originally Posted by Found Goat
As I sat mulling over the movies that I’ve seen having to do with an afterlife, it soon dawned on me: there aren’t too many of them.
By far, though, Where Dreams May Come is the most captivating film I’ve ever watched pertaining to the hereafter. I've viewed it repeatedly. Some of the more beautiful imagery it contains is absolutely awe-inspiring. But a realistic depiction of what lies beyond?
I think we’re all pretty much in the dark as to what awaits us on the other side, if there is one at all. More so than anybody, those who work in Hollywood are likely the most ignorant of all when it comes to spiritual matters. Hence, I think, the primary reason for the scarcity of afterlife movies.
There are countless zombie pictures, and I suppose one might count these as loosely falling into this category.
There have been several movies I’ve seen that have involved reincarnated characters, but the setting has always and understandably been earthbound.
Phantoms. As with zombies, numerous ghost movies exist; the majority of these intended to be viewed with popcorn. Even so, if an afterlife involves to some extent planet-lingering spirits, the more serious of these ghost pictures just might be onto something.
Which is to say, I don’t think any movie will exactly get it right – what an afterlife would be like. Nor do I think any are designed with the aim of trying to persuade the audience to believe in a specific afterlife scenario. These are movies made primarily for entertainment, after all, not propaganda pictures.
Getting back to what I was saying at the outset of this post...
I find it interesting, what few movies there are that exist having to do with an afterlife, considering many people think of, if not dwell on, it often; hence, you would think films catering to these people would be crowd-pleasers and generate major box-office appeal.
There are hundreds of westerns, actioners, romancers, crime dramas, thrillers, comedies, fantasy flicks, and sci-fi pics. Where, however, are all the PG-rated films set in a celestial realm? Movies (NC-17 rated or otherwise) about finding onself in perdition; of meeting up with sinister entities for an eternity, upon crossing over: virtually nonexistent. Is it a problem of finding a suitable location setting? Or does it have more to do with the fact that for the film industry, the idea of heaven and hell is considered utterly ridiculous and unprofitable? That wouldn’t be surprising, if you are of the opinion that the majority of Hollywood screenwriters, filmmakers, and celebrities are atheist and nihilistic, in which case the idea of creating movies of this nature would be downright unimaginable, to people who others would say are living the broad and spacious road of wealth, fame, and razzmatazz.
Much to my surprise, though, in the last few years, there have been a few well-made and -acted cinematic releases having to do with the near-death experience. Heaven Is For Real and 90 Minutes In Heaven being two that I’ve enjoyed. This is not to say I necessarily believe in NDEs as they present themselves to be, anymore than I do in the idea of an unconditonal, free admission into some otherworldly paradise.
Funny, that many years ago I used to attend religious conventions, in which periodically there were put on didactic stage plays, primarily performed by stagey nonactors and other gesticulating hambones. These productions were largely unconvicing, but as I reflect back on them, it’s brought to mind the omission of even one afterlife-themed play. Heck, even in the apt environment of a religious theater, afterlife dramas are hard to come by!
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