The Unholy Family in the Horror Films of Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala

This paper discusses three films by Austrian directors duo Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. It analyzes how the films *Ich seh, Ich seh* (AT 2014), *Die Trud* (AT 2018) and *The Lodge* (US/UK 2019), all of which feature horror elements, portray the family and incorporate religious symbols and narratives to tell their story. The focus is on how religious references are staged, adapted and changed, as well as the way in wich the family and generational or gender roles are portrayed. The study aims to contribute to research into the question of how media convey norms and values in relation to religion and family in contemporary horror films. The analysis is centered on the meaning-making processes that arise in the interrelationship between horror films and religious symbol systems. Methodologically, it is based on cultural studies approaches to the study of religion as well as on methods of film analysis.