Interesting enough, I have found very few reviews online (outside IMBD) regarding the heavy religious symbolism here. King often pits good vs. evil with religious symbolism. So, as soon as I saw the church and the rock, I looked up the biblical references.
Each of the characters' names contains religious significance. The name meanings put together as follows: Christmas & God is Good (Natalie & Tobin) and Virgin to join crossroads (Virginia/Becky/Travis).
Cal-check out the history of John Calvin and the Calvinist movement/protestant reformation/predestination/control over one's destiny, etc.
Ross- Check out James Francis Ross, famous philosopher of, among other things, religion, including Renaissance/enlightened thought.
The church & rock: Jesus built his church on the rock. Many believe Peter was the rock. There's also a bible quote about the gates of Hades not prevailing against the rock. Though we see what appears to be some sort of possible gateway to hell open beneath Becky. Also, check out the Catholic ideas about those who may create doctrine, etc, which originates with the story of Peter and the rock. All befitting since Ross keeps trying to force his beliefs upon the rest of the characters.
The 2 families. Ross/Natalie/Tobin Travis/Becky/Virginia: Both mothers wearing blue like Mary in the nativity. There's even a scene when Becky gives birth and Cal is telling her about wise men bringing them gifts.
Cal also feeds her the flesh of her child-like how Mary sacrificed her son/Jesus who later fed others his flesh-the host in Catholicism. Ross refers to touching the rock as being like taking in the host - almost foreshadowing this moment that resembles taking in the host - or flashing back if you consider the time loop isues. Note,in the story, it's Cal feeding her. In the film, it starts as Cal and turns out to be Ross. Both individuals whose names represent different religious philosophies.
7 people in the field: Rebecca, in the Talmud and Bible, met Isaac in fields of beer sheba. Beersheba means the Well of Seven. Isaac built 7 wells in beersheba. 7 lambs sealed oath of Abraham (Isaac's father) in those fields. Also the site of religious wars.
Also, couldn't help thinking about the Jewish people being lost in the desert while watching these characters constantly make the wrong choices while lost in the grass/ "wilderness." Also, the version of Midnight Special they sing refers to prison which can be linked to the King concepts of how being trapped and isolated can turn people into monsters but, redemption is also possible (Shawshank Redemption/Castle Rock series kind of themes).
Becky: Check out Rebecca's story in the bible. There's even a moment when her husband pretends she's his sister to avoid her being taken and raped.
And, of course, this reminded me of Children of the Corn, a story about a cult devoted to the blue boy, but originating with the idea of worshipping the Greek goddess Artemis (I think). The beginning of Children of the Corn has a boy coming out of the field (already dead, unbeknownst to the couple who thinks they his him). It's the boy being thrown out of the field that lures the couple into the field. Also, all the mud and the blood scenes appear reminiscent of Children of the Corn with the field being fed by the dead.
Anyways, that's all I can think about for now. As for my review, if you like King and you enjoy something thought provoking,you'll enjoy it. If you're looking for a typical, shallow horror flick (which I also happen to thoroughly enjoy), this is not it. All in all, I really liked this film. But that's primarily because I believe there's a lot more than what's on the surface.
Each of the characters' names contains religious significance. The name meanings put together as follows: Christmas & God is Good (Natalie & Tobin) and Virgin to join crossroads (Virginia/Becky/Travis).
Cal-check out the history of John Calvin and the Calvinist movement/protestant reformation/predestination/control over one's destiny, etc.
Ross- Check out James Francis Ross, famous philosopher of, among other things, religion, including Renaissance/enlightened thought.
The church & rock: Jesus built his church on the rock. Many believe Peter was the rock. There's also a bible quote about the gates of Hades not prevailing against the rock. Though we see what appears to be some sort of possible gateway to hell open beneath Becky. Also, check out the Catholic ideas about those who may create doctrine, etc, which originates with the story of Peter and the rock. All befitting since Ross keeps trying to force his beliefs upon the rest of the characters.
The 2 families. Ross/Natalie/Tobin Travis/Becky/Virginia: Both mothers wearing blue like Mary in the nativity. There's even a scene when Becky gives birth and Cal is telling her about wise men bringing them gifts.
Cal also feeds her the flesh of her child-like how Mary sacrificed her son/Jesus who later fed others his flesh-the host in Catholicism. Ross refers to touching the rock as being like taking in the host - almost foreshadowing this moment that resembles taking in the host - or flashing back if you consider the time loop isues. Note,in the story, it's Cal feeding her. In the film, it starts as Cal and turns out to be Ross. Both individuals whose names represent different religious philosophies.
7 people in the field: Rebecca, in the Talmud and Bible, met Isaac in fields of beer sheba. Beersheba means the Well of Seven. Isaac built 7 wells in beersheba. 7 lambs sealed oath of Abraham (Isaac's father) in those fields. Also the site of religious wars.
Also, couldn't help thinking about the Jewish people being lost in the desert while watching these characters constantly make the wrong choices while lost in the grass/ "wilderness." Also, the version of Midnight Special they sing refers to prison which can be linked to the King concepts of how being trapped and isolated can turn people into monsters but, redemption is also possible (Shawshank Redemption/Castle Rock series kind of themes).
Becky: Check out Rebecca's story in the bible. There's even a moment when her husband pretends she's his sister to avoid her being taken and raped.
And, of course, this reminded me of Children of the Corn, a story about a cult devoted to the blue boy, but originating with the idea of worshipping the Greek goddess Artemis (I think). The beginning of Children of the Corn has a boy coming out of the field (already dead, unbeknownst to the couple who thinks they his him). It's the boy being thrown out of the field that lures the couple into the field. Also, all the mud and the blood scenes appear reminiscent of Children of the Corn with the field being fed by the dead.
Anyways, that's all I can think about for now. As for my review, if you like King and you enjoy something thought provoking,you'll enjoy it. If you're looking for a typical, shallow horror flick (which I also happen to thoroughly enjoy), this is not it. All in all, I really liked this film. But that's primarily because I believe there's a lot more than what's on the surface.