Séances and Screams: Mediumship in Horror
Hello Gentle Seekers!
Welcome to “In the Wilde!” where I discuss all things Mediumship, Astrology, Divinatory and Magickal. I hope you enjoy what you read while finding some fun information while visiting!
As we get deeper into the spooky season, I wanted to chat about Mediumship and the impact it has had and continues to have in my favorite film genre, HORROR. As a Medium I love finding representation, no matter how loose it is, especially in films and thought it would be fun to shout out just a few of my favorites for the season. So sit back and cue up King Woman - “Psychic Wound”, and indulge me as I discuss the influence of Mediumship in horror movies, examining how this paranormal practice has been depicted and the impact it has on the genre.
Mediumship, the practice of communicating with spirits or entities from the beyond, has captivated the human imagination for centuries. No wonder this phenomenon has found its way into various forms of art and entertainment, including literature, television, and perhaps most prominently, horror cinema. Mediumship is a powerful narrative tool, evoking fear, suspense, and intrigue.
To fully understand what Mediumship brings to the table in any genre, we gotta dig into where it all started and how people have seen it over time. Mediumship, in various forms, has existed in different societies and spiritual practices for ages. Think of Mediums as the middlemen, talking to the deceased or supernatural entities, providing a link between the living and the afterlife.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Mediumship gained widespread popularity during the height of the spiritualist movement. People sought solace and answers in the idea that the departed could communicate with the living through these gifted individuals.
Horror movies have always drawn from real-life fears and beliefs, and the integration of Mediumship is no exception. Though the depiction of the Medium in horror attempts (using this word lightly) to align with prevailing beliefs about the supernatural and the unknown, it, more often than not, is exaggerated for entertainment purposes. I mean, that’s why we love watching them, right? So, without pointing out the “fails,” I am more excited to explore a few of the very loose categorizations and crossovers of Mediumship I’ve found in horror. I’ll address a few films with overlapping categorizations, but let’s see if I pull this off…
The Tormented Medium is a common trope of an individual burdened by their ability to communicate with the supernatural. They are often depicted as struggling with the emotional and psychological toll of their gift. This torment can manifest in various ways, including hallucinations, nightmares, or being haunted by the spirits they contact.
The Insidious and The Conjuring franchises have this on lock, lightly alluding to the character evolution of the Medium. Both Lin Shaye, Elise (Insidious) and Vera Farmiga, Lorraine (The Conjuring) display elements of all three of the aforementioned categorizations, but for the sake of this post, I’m going to talk about them as the Tormented Medium, grappling with the harrowing realities of their abilities. Both characters are burdened by the profound toll their interactions with the supernatural take on their psyche and well-being. The films showcase the struggle to navigate a world where the lines between the living and the deceased blur, highlighting the emotional and mental anguish endured in their roles as Mediums, ultimately adding depth and complexity to the horror narrative.
In the film The Gift, Cate Blanchette, Annie, embodies a tormented soul grappling with her extraordinary ability. The Gift takes more from the “psychological intruder” formula, but that said, it does have an underlying noise of horror. Haunted by visions and a deep connection to the spiritual realm, Annie struggles to find solace amidst the torment inflicted by her psychic abilities. The movie delves into her internal struggle as she grapples with the overwhelming and often terrifying visions, providing a haunting portrayal of the toll such a gift can take on an individual’s emotional well-being. Annie’s character highlights the dark side of being a Medium, shedding light on the torment and emotional burden that can accompany this supernatural talent.
One of the most fun yet grossly exaggerated representations to watch is the possessed Medium. This is where the Medium becomes the vessel for evil entities. Their gift becomes a curse as dark forces take over or possess them during a séance or communication attempt. This portrayal amplifies the fear of losing control and being at the mercy of malevolent forces. My favorite horror films in this category are Talk to Me, Exorcist, Ouija, and Witchboard.
The film I would like to discuss in this category is the Australian gem Talk to Me. This is my top pick for the season (insert bleeding heart emoji here)! The film is centered around two characters who fit the trope of the possessed Medium. Joe Bird, Riley and Sophia Wilde, Mia become possessed while connecting to the other realm by holding a cadaverous hand of a deceased Medium’s arm. This epitomizes the grim transformation of young individuals into cursed vessels. During their attempt to connect with the supernatural, it takes a nasty turn for those who hold the severed hand for over 90 seconds. Dark forces seize control, manifesting in a harrowing possession. This shift inflicts terror and accentuates the dangerous nature of inviting unknown entities into one’s psyche, illustrating the ominous consequences of unearthing the sinister secrets in the shadows.
The Reluctant Medium is depicted as initially resisting their abilities, only to be reluctantly drawn into using them for the greater good or to confront evil. This reluctance highlights the internal conflict and moral dilemmas that often accompany possessing supernatural abilities. Some of my favorite representations of this would be Poltergeist (yes please), Insidious: The Last Key and The Others, but let’s chat about The Sixth Sense as it is a good example of both the tormented Medium and the reluctant Medium.
In The Sixth Sense, we are introduced to young Haley Joel Osment, Cole who stands as a reluctant Medium caught in a world of spectral encounters. Plagued by haunting visions and the ability to communicate with the deceased, Cole navigates a fragile emotional landscape where fear and confusion intertwine. His struggle to understand and cope with this unwanted gift is palpable, revealing the immense burden placed upon him as he grapples with both the living and the dead. The film intricately showcases his gifts, painting a poignant picture of the toll it takes on his innocence and mental well-being. Cole is initially frightened and burdened by his ability to see and communicate with the dead. He resists acknowledging this gift but eventually uses it to help a troubled spirit find peace and protect the living.
And I lied…Who doesn’t remember and love Poltergeist?! This chilling film STILL has me saying to myself when I walk into a spirit-crowded room, “They’re here!” Heather O’Rourke, Carol Anne, a young girl, possesses a psychic connection to malevolent spirits who abduct her. Initially unaware and afraid of her abilities, she eventually confronts the evil entities and helps her family navigate the haunting.
In both films, these characters undergo a transformative journey, overcoming their initial fear or denial of their abilities to confront and combat wicked forces, contributing to the horror genre’s narrative depth and tension.
So, how has this impacted the horror genre? I think we’d all agree that the inclusion of Mediumship can absolutely enhance storytelling, at least when there is a good storyteller at the helm! Mediumship allows horror filmmakers to explore primal fears of the unknown and the afterlife deeply rooted in the human psyche. This theme can provide unique opportunities for scary moments and suspense by amplifying fear. The ability to communicate with the other side can add an element of unpredictability while channeling for the unknown. Viewers watch with racing hearts and wide eyes, sometimes behind the protective shield of their hands, anticipating terrifying encounters or revelations from the supernatural realm that they bring home to revisit during the shadows of the night in their own homes.
Mediumship has wielded profound influence on the horror genre, both for better and worse. On the one hand, it offers a captivating narrative device fueling fear and intrigue by exploring communication with the afterlife, providing filmmakers with a rich canvas to craft chilling tales and unique storytelling. But here’s where it can become a horror for practicing Mediums like myself. Its Hollywood portrayal can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, stigmatizing both professional Mediums and those who have beliefs in the spirit realm. The challenge lies in balancing the allure of the paranormal with responsible representation, ensuring that Mediumship in horror films remains a tool for entertainment rather than perpetuating misconceptions or reinforcing prejudice. But it’s also up to us viewers to understand it’s just that entertainment.
Don’t worry; I’ll be taking a stab (see what I did there?) at the ethical implications of Mediumship through the lens of Hollywood in a different post.
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