If you believe in an afterlife, you’ve probably spent time wondering what it might be like. You may sometimes consider what will happen when your time comes. And if you’re like me, you’re shooting for the pearly gates of Heaven.
But what about the other place?
Movies are littered with distorted depictions of reality. But it is interesting to consider their portrayals of the unknown, because we have no way of knowing whether they are right or wrong.
Horror films are full of demons and devilish spirits. There are often characters from Hell, going to Hell, or returning from Hell.
Comedies are pretty much the exact opposite of the horror genre.
You rarely think of comedy films delving into darker subjects. But some have surprisingly taken the leap. So, according to comedies, what is Hell like?
South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut shows Satan as an exuberant, sensitive, red giant. He runs the depths of Hell with the help of his trusty sidekick– brutal Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Satan even sings a musical number dreaming about the joys of Heaven.
While Little Nicky was a flop at the box office, it did gives us an unusual version of Hell. The Devil (played by Harvey Keitel) has three sons, including Adam Sandler’s character. Keitel’s Lucifer is much more human than monster, with little horns poking out of his forehead.
He sits on a luxurious throne and orders his subjects around. His most notable moment is his cruel and hilarious punishment for Adolf Hitler. Each day, at 4 o’clock, Hitler must select from pineapples of varying sizes to stick up his rear end.
In the classic 90’s comedy, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, the protagonists are sent to their own “personal hells”. They must navigate a dark chamber with doors lining the hallways.
Behind each door, they are forced to relive their most traumatic memories. For Bill, it’s the time when his grandmother with rotting teeth tries to give him a big, wet kiss.
While these depictions are lighthearted, they aren’t ideal. Even in comedies, Hell is not the place you want to be.
