Went Up the Hill Pre-release Christian Review
The mood of Went Up the Hill is a little different—there isn’t the typical tension of horror here, it feels more like an old cemetery that’s still fresh. Jack returns to New Zealand for his mother’s funeral, and there he realizes that perhaps his mother’s trace did not remain till the last moment of his life. Then he meets Jill—who is his mother’s widow—and a strange, a little scary connection is formed between them. There’s a feeling of possession in the darkness of the night, as if some poison has left its inheritance. Nothing can cleanse these spirits. Elizabeth’s presence is only felt, the pain lingers there… the cavity of the old cave is never filled. The remote and dreamlike landscape of New Zealand gives a surreal layer to the story, and when emotions collapse or seem possessed, everything seems even more unsettling.
Viewed from a faith perspective, the film tells a bitter truth—sin’s impact does not end after death. Its consequences can be passed on from generation to generation. The Bible says that when bitterness, unforgiveness, and destruction are not handled properly, they can ruin lives (Exodus 20:5, Hebrews 12:15). Elizabeth’s ghost is a heavy metaphor for generational trauma—how one person’s irreparable actions shape and destroy the lives of others. And most dangerous of all—neither Jack nor Jill want freedom. Both are trapped in the pull of the past, as if someone is holding them in chains from within.
This possession does not just feel supernatural—it is a picture of real spiritual bondage. The Bible warns that when we hold on to unforgiveness or don’t release bitterness, we invite the enemy into our lives (Ephesians 4:26–27). That’s why Elizabeth’s hold feels so strong—because the wound hasn’t been healed, and comfort is being sought from the wrong place.
The film’s slow-burn pace and psychological depth will attract horror lovers, but viewed through the lens of faith, it reveals a serious problem—healing doesn’t come just from trauma or coexisting with ghosts. Real freedom comes only when the chains are broken—and that’s only possible through Christ’s redemption. The film leaves Jack and Jill in Elizabeth’s shadow… but the ending of the Gospel is different—no matter how deep the pain, God’s love can cut it and bring peace. Where there was only darkness, light can come.
