OK, in preparation for running Sorcerer for my group, I've been trying to think of properties; books, movies, tv shows, what have you; that can convey what Sorcerer is like or about.

Now, I know the book has a nice bibliography, which is helpful. I'll probably start by saying that Sorcerer can run the gambit from The Hellbound Heart to Harvey. But I'm trying to think of more examples.



• Little Shop of Horrors: If you replace "demon" with "plant from outer space." Heck you don't even have to do that since what, exactly, demons are is open to interpretation and aliens and demons have been interchangable for years. But, LSoH does illustrate the whole morality dilemma with Seymore getting what he wants from Audrey II (Audrey I, financial success, etc.) but at a price. We get to see Seymore lose some of his Humanity as he starts to unravel toward the end. AUdrey II does show Desire (world conquest) and Need (blood).

• Fight Club: If you can take Tyler Durden as a demon, it shows similar price problems, although a little more subtilely since "Jack" had no idea what Tyler was up to until it was too late.

• Calvin and Hobbes: Some must've mentioned that Hobbes is a demon somewhere else. He doesn't have much by way of powers since it all works by way of Calvin's imagination, but he does have a Need to act like a real tiger which includes stalking and pouncing on Calvin. The only real benefeit Calvin gets seems to be companionship, but I think that beats the ability to throw atomic fireballs any day, don't you?

• Drop Dead Fred: a child's imaginary friend and the trouble they cause.

• The Muse: kind of funny how I seem to enjoy movies about writing.



This is what I have so far. My plan is to maybe have a movie night with all of the various films and such before we even roll up characters so I need some ideas to help the group "get" the game.

Hi Jack,

Well, as you rightly state, Sorcerer is very adaptable in terms of tone, so "the" Sorc movie is hard to pin down. However, I've found that movies that really focus on the price and power of dysfunctional relationships tend to do very well as models.

For the record, my pick for the ultimate Sorcerer movie in terms of theme is Live Flesh, directed by Pedro Almodovar. There's no "demon" in the story at all, though, so it would be kind of a difficult model for new players.

For new players, it sort of depends on how occult-ish they perceive Sorcerer to be. Many people assume that basic horror is the appropriate approach, and I don't think that 's a bad thing, so Hellraiser ... The Ninth Gate ... Phenomena ... The Exorcist ... are all good examples.

Best,
Ron

Ron Edwards wrote: Hi Jack,

Well, as you rightly state, Sorcerer is very adaptable in terms of tone, so "the" Sorc movie is hard to pin down. However, I've found that movies that really focus on the price and power of dysfunctional relationships tend to do very well as models.

For the record, my pick for the ultimate Sorcerer movie in terms of theme is Live Flesh, directed by Pedro Almodovar. There's no "demon" in the story at all, though, so it would be kind of a difficult model for new players

For new players, it sort of depends on how occult-ish they perceive Sorcerer to be. Many people assume that basic horror is the appropriate approach, and I don't think that 's a bad thing, so Hellraiser ... The Ninth Gate ... Phenomena ... The Exorcist ... are all good examples..