40K Pop-Khorne: Genestealer Cult Classics
The Genestealer Cults are making waves so it’s time to take a look at some “classic” movies about cults!
Welcome to another edition of 40k Pop-Khorne, the cross section of Warhammer 40,000 and Pop Culture. Today we’re delving into the insidious nature of cults with some movies you can watch to help you get into the mood for cults! …Or something like that. Frankly, I’m a little confused about Cult Classics vs Classics with Cults – but that was the prompt for this one so here we go!
Hot Fuzz (2007)
The second movie in theCornetto trilogy, this movie is not just a great buddy-cop action comedy movie, it’s just fun to watch! It also happens to be about a village with a very murderous secret. You could even say that the townsfolk are a bit cult-like in their beliefs. Pair that up with an outside law enforcement agent and fireworks ensue. In fact, you could take this script, swap it out with an Hivespire and a lone Adeptus Arbite who gets paired up with the local cop and BOOM – 40k Hot Fuzz!
They Live (1998)
They Live is all about the dangers of consumerism and capitalism from the twisted mind of John Carpenter. It’s a great movie for many reasons (like the awesome physical performance by Keith David and the late Roddy Piper – that fight scene is STILL one of the best ever made). But lets take a look at the meta plot of this movie: The rich are essentially working for aliens to prepare the world for an invasion by, you guessed it, more aliens. People are being tricked into complacency and are being turned into cattle. Gee, does that seem like something the Genestealer Cults would do? Sure does fit their M.O. if you ask me!
The Brood (1979)
https://youtu.be/tI32rz-Xh7U
Another David Cronenberg classic. Here’s the skinny: A Psychotherapist and his wife create a “brood” of murderous psycho babies that take out their enemies. It’s a weird movie with crazy body horror, psychic powers, a patriarchal figure, a Magus (basically), and a crazy murder cult of mutants. In essence, it’s everything a Genestealer Cult would want! Watch this movie for inspiration(?) or if you’re having trouble staying awake (and never want to sleep again).
Total Recall (1990)
This one has a different kind of cult following but at it’s core it’s about a group of mutants who are trying to overthrow their Imperial oppressors. And, depending on how you look at it, they do pull off the win in the end. Score one for the “good guys” with this action-packed movie! Plus, it’s got Arnold in it so you know the body count is going to be high.
The Faculty (1998)
Remember that time Frodo teamed up with a band of misfits to take on the T-1000? No? Well it happened! Welcome to The Faculty. Imagine if you took the idea behind Invasion of the Body Snatchers and set it in a late 90’s high school with an MTV soundtrack. Boom. It’s a little cliche but it’s entertaining in that “kinda scary but mostly cheesy” way. It does involve aliens who are out to take over in a very subversive way: through the magic of high school kids.
Well that’s our list – what other movies would you recommend as some good watching for inspiration for your Genestealer Cult Classics? Let us know your recommendations in the comments.
