MovieChat Forums > What Dreams May Come (1998) Discussion > Film does not depict Heaven nor Hell, bu...

Film does not depict Heaven nor Hell, but rather it is Purgatory

posted 15 years ago by cryptoknightsux
29 replies | jump to latest

I agree with the original statement "this is not what Hell is like" made on a different discussion topic (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120889/board/thread/133409743). I considered posting there, but later thought the idea "This is Purgatory" might merit its own discussion.

IF I were to assume that this film is based partially on Christianity, and not solely non-Christian New Age Spirituality, then I would argue that that the "Hell" and "Heaven" presented in this movie is not Hell nor Heaven, but rather it is a representation of Purgatory, a.k.a. a state between death and final judgment. This conclusion is based on various evidence in the film, such as the absence of any divine leadership figure in "Paradise" and on the immediate appearance of the recently deceased in either the paint-filled "Paradise" or the dark and frightening "Outer Darkness".

It is believed in various Christian doctrines and even in Judaism that Purgatory is a place further purification and progression towards holiness, a last chance of sorts. It is also believed by many, including "Mormons", that this state between death and final judgment has two divisions called "Paradise" and "Spirit Prison". The following quote from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory seems to describe an existence, conditions, and events matching that which are depicted in What Dreams May Come:

"Before the Last Judgment, spirits separated from their bodies at death go either to Paradise or to Spirit Prison based on their merits earned in life. Paradise is a place of rest while its inhabitants continue learning in preparation for the Last Judgment. Spirit Prison is a place of anguish and suffering for the wicked and unrepentant; however, missionary efforts done by spirits from Paradise enable those in Spirit Prison to repent..."

I know that there are many out there who do not believe in the afterlife or who may not believe in "Purgatory" in particular. Regardless, I would be very interested to hear your opinions, God-fearing or otherwise, on whether or not the afterlife in "What Dreams May Come" is best interpreted to be Purgatory (the state between death and final judgment) as it is taught in the various religious doctrines.

[–] jaynumber13 13 years ago

The film doesn't even pass the Christianity 101 doctrine test (it's more gnosticism/Buddhist than Christian) so it's useless to say it depicts purgatory.

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[–] horst-kackebart 13 years ago

i really enjoyed reading your theory and it these ideas paint more vivid images of the various reiligions' views on the after life. i just dont think religion and beliefs like these are something that we should adapt from a set of rules. elements of these religions can be extremely stimulating both intelectually, but also have their place in spiritual developement. in the end though, its what you believe that matters! (btw "dmt" might give you a clearer picture of what to expect ;) )

<3

[–] elasalle 13 years ago

I was raised in a very open family, did attend sunday school but we were very tolerant of all religions. As I have grown, I have come to believe that there is just no way a paradise for afterlife can exist if there is a hell. Why? you ask. how could I or anyone who was deemed good continue to exist knowing others were sufferring an eternity of sufferring. Really if you say yes then that actually makes you evil. Allowing others to suffer while you experience a afterlife of contentment doesnt seem like the way it works. Ignore all the writings, becasue its written by men who had their own agenda. We know form our own times people will right things that arent necessarily lies but just logic based on prejudice and not really for selfless knowledge.

[–] jaynumber13 13 years ago

Ignore all the writings, becasue its written by men who had their own agenda.

But you don't have an agenda, of course. Right?

[–] yes2050 13 years ago

Suffering isn't real. The innermost essence is the same in all of us. Those beings who are experiencing suffering are "left alone" by God because it's the only kind thing to do ultimately because we all have the answer within (locked within for many) and to be allowed to escape and show our inner selves comes at the end of a long learning process where we drop the defences that we have erected. Only we can dissolve the hard shell we have made to protect our innermost and pain can often show the way by breaking up the habitual patterns of thought and behaviour. The light often breaks through in the midst of pain and despair. Let people crash and ask for help. That way they listen and correct their lives but if we help too soon they pretend to follow and it only makes the crash worse because of increased guilt now. BTW heaven is here and so is eternal joy. There's no need to die to be in a pure land.

[–] cntryblueeye 12 years ago

In the KJV Bible when Jesus is on the cross-there was one thief on each side of him and one hurled insults and the other says to Jesus 'Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!' and Jesus said to him 'Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.' He didn't say Heaven-he said 'Paradise' which is to only speculate that good people go to a paradise to wait till the end of time when we are all judged and the good ones go to Heaven.
As for down there-the Bible speaks of Hades which is where I believe you go to till final judgement which then you are thrown into a lake of fire which is 'Hell'.

[–] clearthinkernow 10 years ago

There is no biblical basis for belief in purgatory. The only people I know that believe in it are catholic and they make up a lot of stuff. Why would you think that our final judgement waits for the future to happen?