Good and Evil in Film - Blurring the Distinctions

The theme of good vs. evil has always fascinated me, and probably exists in every film ever made.

Where does good end and evil begin? Who gets to determine what is good and evil? What are your favorite "good" and "evil" films? Here is a list Good and Evil to get you started.

Some are tired of the good/evil paradigm, and want to go beyond. Here is a list of Spiritual Films you might like. Please feel free to suggest more!

Tags: evil, good, spiritual, spirituality

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Permalink Reply by B-Independent.com on April 15, 2008 at 4:43pm: For me, the movie that best examines good and evil is SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, my favorite movie. It's really the good, Clarice, in a world of bad (nearly every male figure in the movie is some form of oppressive negativity).

Where does our fascination with good and bad come from? Morality tales have been with us since we were tribes of ape-like creatures painting on walls and creating stories to scare little ape-like creatures into following the ape-like social values. I think we enjoy watching cinematic evil as much as we do simply because it allows us to vicariously exorcise some of our own inner demons and dark thoughts.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Secret Agent Gal on April 15, 2008 at 7:08pm: There's something so compelling about Silence of the Lambs! Jodie Foster is good, intent on defeating evil. But she has to do some wrong things (lying to Lecter; later sneaking into the lockup where they are keeping Lecter) in order to complete her mission.

Then again Anthony Hopkins is evil personified. Yet he eventually helps the FBI.

The end of the film for me represents evil continuing on infinitely. It also represents good continuing on ("Dr. Lecter? Dr. Lecter?" fade out ....... )

My own fascination with good/evil probably comes from my Catholic upbringing - LOL! Yes, I got immersed in Catholic guilt. That's why I've evolved into liking spiritual films these days.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pihk on April 15, 2008 at 5:42pm: I'm rooting for Evil.

Better music, better drugs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Secret Agent Gal on April 15, 2008 at 7:09pm: LOL!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Microwaved on April 17, 2008 at 11:07am: Me too!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pihk on April 17, 2008 at 6:26pm: Gentlemen....to evil! (clinks glass)

buahahaha

The voices in my head grow louder...and more insistent...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Microwaved on April 18, 2008 at 5:27am: And now I'm all drunk so you and your voices are controlling me now!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jessie on April 15, 2008 at 5:50pm: HMMMMM..... It seems as if a lot of movies could be good and evil.
The Matrix
Juice w/ Tupac
The Exorcist
Caddy Shack
I think The Exorcist is the best one I can think of right now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Secret Agent Gal on April 15, 2008 at 7:12pm: The Exorcist still gives me the chills whenever I watch it! An excellent flick.

The Matrix is another classic here, significant because it puts forth the viewpoint that the "world" as we know it is an illusion. Yet it still holds very strongly to the good/evil paradigm.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Secret Agent Gal on April 17, 2008 at 5:26pm: What strikes me in The Exorcist is how Father Karras (Jason Miller) beats up on himself ... feeling guilty about "abandoning" his mother and doubting his faith.

It seems to me GUILT can be a self-destructive, evil thing in itself. If we could exercise conscience and weigh our choices without beating ourselves up (!) what a different world it would be. Characters in film who get beyond guilt - just go out and live their dream - really inspire me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by trowerboy on April 15, 2008 at 6:18pm: I know alot of people didn't like this flick but I did...Tooth and Nail ....about good and evil people in desperate times..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Secret Agent Gal on April 15, 2008 at 7:16pm: Tooth and Nail looks pretty intense!

A similar flick I want to see soon is Cloverfield .... it seems apocalyptic yet with a bit of hope .....; ▶ Reply to This