Scared by the Bible: The Roots of Horror in Scripture

by Brandon R Grafius

Conventional wisdom has it that the origins of the horror genre are found in the nineteenth century, in works like Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In this paradigm-shaking new book, Bible scholar and cultural historian Brandon Grafius argues that the Bible is, among other things, the world's first work of horror literature.

The tropes and themes that we find in slasher movies, body horror, folk horror, and zombie apocalypses were kickstarted by the Bible. Before Godzilla, there were the monsters arising from the sea in the book of Daniel. Before The Wicker Man, there was the folk horror violence of the book of Judges. And before The Fly, Leviticus and Paul understood that our bodies are untrustworthy. Sometimes, the Bible has decided that the best way to help us understand the world in new ways is to scare us.

Grafius's book is a revelatory work of biblical scholarship as well as a cultural analysis of the contemporary horror genre. It is a book that will make listeners revise how they see the Bible and impact how they consume horror literature and cinema. It is guaranteed to make them wiser consumers of both.

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Krystelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Please note this is a 3.5.

I think sometimes, particularly in the Christian tradition, there is a reticence to admit to the horror of certain things, particularly when it comes to scripture. It's almost as though there is a fear of admitting the actual root of the stories that surround the traditions in religion, which is fascinating to me. Tackling this subject head on and trying to cover all of the bases is certainly optimistic, however, but this book gives it a go.

I suppose my biggest complaint would have to be that this book is simply not quite long enough. There's a lot that feels a bit missed out in here, and perhaps the net was cast a little too wide to be able to capture the full essence of what the author was going for. I felt like some of the elements, particularly the slasher deep-dive, were a little underbaked, but as I said, it is a very wide expanse to cover. I did also feel like some of the book was a little bit repetitive.

I did enjoy the approach of the author in comparison, and there was no cheating by going into the easy comparisons (i.e. movies that were very clearly heavily inspired by religion to begin with, to the point where there was no intrigue). It was also quite well researched, and while there could have been a few more theological references and other points to springboard off, it was still very detailed. I also appreciate that the personal feelings of the author didn't much get in the way of the content, which I think was fairly vital for this book. All in all, a very solid look at some of the scariest stories that humanity is based in - although I do wish there was a little more of it!

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing this "arc" in exchange for an honest review.

First thing, I have learned to completely read a book summary before requesting the book. I was honestly excited to read how horror movies and scripture were intertwined. The presentation started off very scholarly but quickly took a nose dive.

[Scott Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book answers a question or questions that most of us have never thought to ask. There are some stories which should make us afraid. But of what or whom? Grafius gives us a framework in which to answer these questions about many of the perplexing narratives in the Bible. And some stories we may not have thought of as scary or horrific until we shift our perspective. One example from the book: Jacob alone in the inky black wilderness—except for moon and starlight—fearful of his impending meeting with a brother he wronged….and suddenly he’s grabbed! In a fight for his life, presumably, that takes all night. Is it an assassin sent by his brother? A highwayman? A monster? It’s a way to put ourselves into the story or empathetically observe the story, of how Jacob is given his new name, Israel—he who wrestles with God.

While not every story is not covered, the book’s framework will help us approach each new biblical narrative with the questions that could be answered: what does this story tell us about God? What does it tell us about ourselves in relation to God, the state of society? Who or what should we be afraid of—God Himself, our neighbors, our rulers or whom?

Some of the points are a bit overwrought, and the writing is a bit redundant in places. Grafius teaches us a lot about the genre of horror films, very little about horror literature because his life passions have been in film. When literature is mentioned, it’s in relation to a film adaptation. So is the oral tradition of biblical literature more a basis for comparisons to film or literature? Film is only a century old where one person’s/team’s vision of the story makes explicit how we should render the scene, leaving less to our own imagination of the setting or context or characterizations. Storytelling has been around for millennia.

While I am not wholly convinced this can be a valid hermeneutical tool, it has been intriguing enough for me to mention the book’s thesis to several friends and colleagues. The framework will remain with me as an option for furthering exploring some biblical passages.

I’m appreciative for the publisher sharing an advanced copy.

[Horror DNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his introduction, Brandon R Grafius recalls being ten years old and attempting his first cover-to-cover read of the Bible. He found himself not shocked by the dull stretches but by the strange, violent, and uncanny bits never mentioned in Sunday school. That early discovery stayed with him, eventually inspiring his work on a PhD in the Hebrew Bible. In Scared by the Bible: The Roots of Horror in Scripture, he argues horror isn’t a modern invention, but rather one of the Bible’s native storytelling modes. The Bible, he notes, is a collection of genres, and the discomfort new readers often feel when approaching scripture comes from viewing it solely as a moral handbook rather than a multifaceted text where terror and transcendence can coexist.

You can read Stephen's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title intrigued me as I remember sitting in a group and being asked what kind of stories did we like to read. Many subjects were announced, and the facilitator told us bluntly, the bible contains all kinds of stories you love to read. This is an interesting take on some of the stories we tend to take for granted, just reading but not really contemplating what it's really saying. Brandon goes on to explain our modern 'horror flicks' today, and how those stories really haven't veered off of real things that have happened. It was an interesting read, and while I felt some areas could have been explained further or gone deeper, there really isn't any complaints on what he presented nor his direction. Definitely a thoughtful read. Highly recommend!!!
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

[Una · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely an interesting read. It offers a thoughtful and creative approach to unsettling biblical texts through the lens of horror theory which makes it pretty fascinating and interesting to read. The book has some engaging insights, though it occasionally feels hesitant to push beyond familiar evangelical frameworks. I am not sure if I was the right audience for it, and this is definitely my own fault, but considering it was in the horror category I was definitely expecting more. A worthwhile read for those interested in the intersection of faith, fear, and interpretation!

Thank you NetGallery for sending me an ARC to read

[James Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting a more scholarly or interfaith examination of fear as it appears in the Bible, but it turned out to approach the topic from a distinctly Christian evangelical perspective. While that lens didn’t quite align with what I was hoping for, I can see it resonating with readers who are looking for a more devotional or faith-based interpretation.

Though it wasn’t the right fit for me personally, those who share the author’s religious background may find comfort and insight in its reflections.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Léa Lombard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking it would be a more horror-driven or academic exploration of fear in the Bible, so I was a little surprised by the way it’s actually framed. That’s partly on me for not paying closer attention before requesting it, because it’s much more rooted in a Christian evangelical perspective than I expected.

The book does raise some creative and thoughtful points about the intersection of faith, fear, and scripture, and I can see it being meaningful for readers who are looking for a more devotional or faith-based reflection. For me, it didn’t quite fit what I was hoping for, but it’s still an engaging approach that others may connect with more strongly.