The 1980s horror film that allegedly inspired a real-life cult
In short: In 1987, John Schlesinger released a gritty horror noir that explored the dark intersection of wealth and ritual. While critics were divided on its execution, the film left a chilling real-world footprint: it is believed to have influenced the formation of an actual cult in Mexico.
The Believers (1987) follows a police psychologist investigating ritualistic murders in New York City. The narrative explores a distinction between two spiritual practices: the benevolent Santería, practiced by the protagonist's housekeeper, and Brujería, a malevolent form of black magic used by an elite social class. The film suggests that these wealthy individuals sought 'fame, wealth, and power' through human sacrifice, a concept some critics describe as a literal interpretation of 'voodoo economics.'
Production was marked by a desire for authenticity. Director John Schlesinger and writer Mark Frost spent a year researching the religion, eventually enlisting an initiate priestess as a technical advisor to ensure Santería was depicted as a force for good. Despite these efforts, the film faced criticism for its 'shock tactics' and 'cheap scares.' Roger Ebert famously panned it as 'tasteless,' noting that it relied on tropes of bloodthirsty cults without explaining the actual meaning behind the ritualistic details like circles of ashes or charms.
The film's cultural impact is complex. While it was criticized for playing on fears of the 'ethnic, racial, and religious Other,' it also faced backlash for the negative publicity it brought to Santería. Most strikingly, the film is linked to the real-world cult established by Adolfo Constanzo and Sara Aldrete in Matamoros, Mexico. Drawing from Palo Mayombe, an Afro-Cuban faith akin to Santería, this faction's roots imply that the movie's portrayal of ritualistic brutality mirrored actual radicalist groups.
The motion picture originates from Nicholas Conde's 1982 book The Religion.
The film is believed to have influenced a cult in Matamoros, Mexico, based on Palo Mayombe.
The film depicts Santería as a benevolent practice and Brujería as the antagonistic force. Critics noted the film's depiction of the upper class sacrificing children for wealth and power.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Believers (film)
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