Chapter 5. The Jewish Supernatural: JeruZalem
While most contemporary horror tropes draw on a Christian universe, JeruZalem (2015) by the Paz brothers, introduces Judaic horror. The film is set in present-day Jerusalem, a symbolic location in Judaism, and its horror themes draw on the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. In fact, horror erupts on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement—the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar, when hordes of winged zombies invade the city. In the film, these monsters are the resurrected dead of the Jewish tradition.
Questions for discussion
- Which horror tropes and conventions can you identify in JeruZalem? Which films does it remind you of?
- What characterizes JeruZalem as an Israeli film? You may think of the plot, themes, or settings.
- What is the relationship between the local Israeli characteristics and the global horror tropes in JeruZalem?
- What was the production history of JeruZalem? How did it impact the film?
- What was its audience and critical reception?
Availability
Streaming on Apple TV, Tubi, Vudu, Shudder, and other platforms