Holy fools often appear in European films, but where are the holy fools in Hollywood films? This chapter explores how Christian characters are portrayed in Hollywood films and television, demonstrating that the most common portrayal is that of an evangelical fool proper—either as a naïf (naïve, gullible, simplistic) or as a hypocrite (cruel, legalistic, judgmental). Though American evangelical Christians chafe at these caricatures, they have been ineffective at countering these ideas in the public imagination. The holy fool offers a response that is both historical and theological, but holy fools are seldom seen on Hollywood screens or in evangelical culture. This chapter offers three examples of American holy fools, taken from the films Hacksaw Ridge (2016), Nacho Libre (2006), and Don’t Look Up (2021). The holy fools in these films can be a blueprint for a new Christian character in Hollywood, one that willingly accepts the title of fool and transforms it.

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Hypocrites and Holy Fools: Christian Characters in American Films and Television

  • Thomas Sieberhagen

摘要

Holy fools often appear in European films, but where are the holy fools in Hollywood films? This chapter explores how Christian characters are portrayed in Hollywood films and television, demonstrating that the most common portrayal is that of an evangelical fool proper—either as a naïf (naïve, gullible, simplistic) or as a hypocrite (cruel, legalistic, judgmental). Though American evangelical Christians chafe at these caricatures, they have been ineffective at countering these ideas in the public imagination. The holy fool offers a response that is both historical and theological, but holy fools are seldom seen on Hollywood screens or in evangelical culture. This chapter offers three examples of American holy fools, taken from the films Hacksaw Ridge (2016), Nacho Libre (2006), and Don’t Look Up (2021). The holy fools in these films can be a blueprint for a new Christian character in Hollywood, one that willingly accepts the title of fool and transforms it.