Nefarious
Directed by Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon
TheoScope Rating
Worldview · content · moral framework
Plot
On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of ...
Discern Score Breakdown
30%
30%
25%
15%
Audience Suitability
Kids
Under 10
Teens
10–17
Adults
18+
Family
Mixed ages
Content Flags
Nefarious is a theologically serious, spiritually confrontational horror-thriller that presents the Christian worldview with unusual directness and conviction. It is not appropriate for children or young teens due to its intense psychological horror, demonic dialogue, and heavy thematic content, but spiritually mature adult believers may find it one of the most bracingly Christian films made in the genre. It is a genuine outlier in faith-adjacent filmmaking — less polished than it is provocative.
Pastoral Take
This film is absolutely not for children or younger teenagers — the demonic dialogue is disturbing, psychologically intense, and designed to destabilize, and it will be too much for most viewers under 16. For mature Christian adults, however, Nefarious is a rare and worthwhile film: it takes Satan seriously, it takes sin seriously, and it challenges secular assumptions in ways that are genuinely thought-provoking rather than preachy. If you watch it, be prepared to sit with some discomfort — the ending is not tidy — and consider following it with time in Scripture, particularly Ephesians 6 or James 4, to ground what you've seen in God's word.
Discussion Points
- 1The demon tells Dr. Martin that Edward Brady didn't make one big choice to end up where he is — he made a long series of small ones. Does that match anything you've read in the Bible about how sin works in a person's life? Can you think of a story in Scripture where someone's moral slide happened step by step?
- 2At the end of the film, Dr. Martin has been changed by the encounter — not necessarily in the way we hoped. What do you think the film is saying about the danger of encountering spiritual truth and still refusing to fully surrender to it? Is there a warning in that for us?
- 3The demon claims that abortion, euthanasia, and murder are all part of the same 'culture of death' — that they share the same root. Do you agree or disagree with that framing? How does a biblical understanding of human dignity as image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27) shape how we think about each of those things?
- 4Nefarious says he 'owns' Brady because Brady gave him permission through his choices — he was never forced. How does that compare to what the Bible teaches about how spiritual bondage works, and what it says about the path to freedom from it?
Want to check another movie?
Unlock every movie in our database — free for 7 days. No credit card required.
Cast
Sean Patrick Flanery, Jordan Belfi, Tom Ohmer
Community Reviews
to leave a review