Apocalyptic cinema: the supernatural T.V. series as an original neo-humanistic interpretation of the Book of Revelation

Abstract

This thesis aims to develop a critical analysis and interpretation of a long-running streaming television series, Supernatural (2005-2020), whose main story is adapted from the Book of Revelation. This thesis describes, analyzes, and interprets the creatively unique apocalyptic worldview presented in the series through a content/narrative analysis methodology and employing the modeling technique of Game Theory. This study shows that Supernatural creates a universe in which an apocalyptic worldview is projected by a radical type of humanism, which I term ‘Neo-Humanism.’ Neo-Humanism is a kind of perspective whose worldview has roots in the deepest layers of religious belief and its lifestyle is the same as the most exclusive levels of humanism. Neo-Humanism claims that if there is a god, who created human beings with free will and the ability to distinguish between good and evil, as theism says, His creation will inevitably be above everything and able to do everything. And more importantly, even the Creator God Himself does not want, cannot, and should not interfere in humans’ affairs. Even though the Neo-Humanism perspective seems too illogical and surreal to be believable, this thesis shows that in the universe that Supernatural depicts, the inner logic of Neo-Humanism works appropriately.