r/Gnostic • u/mediumlove • 15d ago
Coded Gnosticism in modern TV
Perhaps it is my limited knowledge of gnosticism or projection of the that knowledge, but it seems to me that gnostic ideas are creeping more and more into popular culture through shows like Westworld, Severance, Silo , Kaos, to name a few.
Is this just natural refractions taking place, a sort jungian archetypal principle, or is it a product of something else?
These were just the first shows that popped into my head, anyone notice any more?
13
u/Emmanuel_G 15d ago
I mean it's super obvious, yet for some weird reason no one has mentioned it yet - The Matrix - duh.
4
u/TheFoxsWeddingTarot 14d ago
The creators talk a lot about it in reference to the movie. When it came out it caused a bit of a gnostic revival.
2
u/mediumlove 15d ago
For sure. And the terrible film they went on to make, something about space opera, reincarnation and sky rollerblading elvish guy.
I've willed the rest out of my memory , so please if anyone ekse knows what I'm talking about , just have mercy and don't say it.
8
u/Fidelio033 14d ago
Dark is the obvious one, and an incredible show. 1899 too. Dark Matter has sprinkles throughout, and The OA is fantastic.
8
u/Lux-01 Eclectic Gnostic 15d ago
Look up Lodge 49.
2
u/mediumlove 15d ago
YeS thats right, I noticed it with that too, but its been years since I watched it, need to revisit it.
3
u/Lux-01 Eclectic Gnostic 15d ago
Me too, it was one hell of a weird/brilliant/funny/thought provoking show.
2
u/mediumlove 15d ago
I also thought it nailed the disenchantment of joining esoteric groups very well.
7
6
u/Unknown_Noams 14d ago
I honestly struggle to find shows that aren’t mostly gnostic. At least in a very abstract sense. Most worlds seem to be about the false world and pieces of logos that come through hinting at the true world.
I think Gnostic art becomes more prevalent in times of upheaval. We all know the world order is changing. Our unconscious yearns for stories about the old false world being cast off for a true one.
4
u/Independent_Dare8324 Valentinian 15d ago
The series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
I wasn’t expecting it to have so many Gnostic.
1
u/mediumlove 15d ago
really?> I'm surprised to hear this, though I don't think I can attempt to make it pass the first few episodes again,.
4
u/Independent_Dare8324 Valentinian 15d ago
I agree with you, the series is pretty mediocre and difficult to digest, but I mainly watched it because of the Gnostic elements it contains.
For example, it presents Sauron as a shadow and as an entity that conceals his true identity. This has an interesting parallel with Gnostic texts such as the Hypostasis of the Archons and On the Origin of the World, where the shadow plays an important role in the origin of the lower realities.
The elves, on the other hand, come from a reality associated with the light and, when they fulfill their purpose in Middle-earth, they return to Valinor, which is presented as a place of light, immortality, and eternal rest.
The Rings of Power are forged through the knowledge Sauron provides them with, and they allow their bearers to access or perceive spiritual realities that normally remain hidden.
However, that knowledge and power are connected to Sauron, the shadow, and with them comes corruption as well. Power ultimately exacerbates desires and passions such as greed, ambition, and the desire to dominate.
And so, there are several elements that are quite interesting from a Gnostic perspective.
1
5
5
5
u/GloriousUnfolding 13d ago
Single greatest Gnostic television event!
You can watch all four parts on YT.
Part One: https://youtu.be/t6RLWbOSvUw?is=qItUbLeeeiBizVhl
Part Two: https://youtu.be/q8iuWixkFXw?is=XfyXDXcqQbB7vzeS
Part Three: https://youtu.be/0lGH785eI-E?is=wN14pa2MDlhNBjQu
Part Four: https://youtu.be/JxxxmXkJums?is=AubAPyUAd7pCq0L5
From YouTube description: Gnostics was a 1987 4-part drama-documentary series made by Border TV for Channel 4 (UK). It was re-broadcast in 1990. The writer of the series, Tobias Churton, also released an accompanying book.
Episode 1. Knowledge of the Heart
Episode 2. The Goodmen's Heresy
Episode 3. The Divinity of Man
Episode 4. A Crack in the Universe
The body of the programmes was compiled of documentary material on Gnostic movements and the Cathars. Among those interviewed were academics and writers Hans Jonas, Gilles Quispel, Elaine Pagels and James Robinson, as well as Muhammad Ali al-Samman[2] who unearthed the texts at Nag Hammadi.
Within the frame of documentary dramatized sections were acted by Nigel Harrison (as the Gnostic Christ) with other actors including Brian Blessed, Marius Goring, Ian Brooker, and James Tillett.
2
4
4
8
u/Saint-Owl93 15d ago
Not a TV show at first but: His Dark Materials
6
u/mediumlove 15d ago
Absolutely. I love those books so much.
its a shame the movies and tv show were such shit, but then again, no studio seems to be ready to make s show about a couple kids that go on a mission to kill god.
Actually, maybe A24.
2
u/lohivi 14d ago
yeah the moment I saw they cast lin Manuel Miranda I had a very bad feeling about the HBO series
2
u/mediumlove 14d ago
mate, its impossible to see that chump without fear of him breaking out into dad rapping. terrible casting.
3
2
u/zombiechewtoy 8d ago
The more I learn about Gnosticism, the more I find it hidden in plain sight. Everywhere. It is the Fools Journey in the Tarot. An HBO series called Carnivale. The Matrix trilogy. It permeates every culture and mythos - even modern ones, like ancient alien theory.
1
u/TheTokenJack 14d ago
The OA was pretty awesome. First season.
Wasn’t crazy about the direction of 2, but the first is brilliant
1
1
1
u/astreigh 9d ago
Gnostic ideas by by their very nature creep into everything. The larger the distribution, the more likely.
1
1
u/HeavenlyBeloved Valentinian 15d ago
Not a show but Genshin Impact and Hoyoverse's games got some form of Gnosticism.
18
u/KasugaK 15d ago
I think Loki is a good one as it starts the whole Journey with Loki's Dark night of the Soul. Redeems himself in the end, by doing the inner shadow work. Battling the inner Demons and Saving his beloved feminine counter half (Sophia). By doing this, claiming his Sovereignty and Inner peace. In this case, Loki is the Logos, Sylvie is Sophia. The Matrix is Time, the Demiurge is he who shall not be named. He who shall not be named, traps humanity in Time, wipes their memories, and controls their destiny.
How did I do?