Portrayals of Nuns in Film and Popular Culture

Blog Published: April 10, 2008
By Sister Julie

Yesterday I went to a great lecture at Loyola University called “A Question of Habit: The Curious Image of Nuns in Film and Popular Culture” by Professor Bren Ortega Murphy. Dr. Murphy is in the process of making a documentary film that examines the wide variety of visual images of Catholic nuns and sisters used in contemporary U.S. popular culture.

For the most part, said Murphy, nuns have been portrayed as one-dimensional characters. You get no sense of who the nun is, her moral agency, her way of life, her ministry, etc.

Murphy noted that in the history of film-making, Hollywood has had great difficulty in portraying women in general. Combine this with Hollywood’s uncertainty of how to deal with religion and one can begin to understand how portrayals of nuns (women+religious) has been exceedingly difficult for Hollywood. The result (however amusing and nostalgic) has been to portray nuns one-dimensionally, often reducing them to blatant caricatures. Sadly you can still see this in many media portrayals of nuns today.

Some examples of caricatures and stereotypes that I’ve seen:

  • mean nuns with rulers
  • hapless nuns
  • giggling gaggles of nuns
  • nuns always in full traditional habit
  • sexually repressed nuns
  • nameless nuns
  • nuns who are theologically unsophisticated
  • unquestioning nuns
  • ethereal nuns who float in and then mysteriously disappear

Murphy said that there seemed to be a resistance, a hesitancy to portraying nuns (and women) as full human beings, with full moral agency, thoughts, questions, joys, fears, strength, etc. in the context of their life. Instead, nuns were dealt with by trivializing them (the hapless nun), demonizing them (mean nun with ruler), or sexualizing them (sexually-repressed nun).

So are there some good portrayals of nuns out there on the silver screen? Absolutely, said Murphy. Among those she noted “The Trouble with Angels”, “Brides of Christ” and “Dead Man Walking”.

Films about nuns coming to a theatre near you … soon: The Mighty Macs and Doubt: A Parable, a play which is being made into a movie. And be sure to look for Dr. Murphy’s documentary A Question of Habit on visual images of nuns today.

And for my own fascinating reviews on nuns in movies check out: The Nun and The Blues Brothers. You’ll also find all sorts of interesting things in the Nuns and Pop Culture.

Archived Comments

Desiree April 10, 2008 at 7:20 am

Wasn’t there a nun who was a detective? I vaguely remember watching re-runs of a show. I’d surely say she was a dynamic character.

David April 10, 2008 at 8:47 am

One of my favorite television portrayals of a nun was Sister Agnes of the short-lived In the Beginning. She was a street-wise Latina activist nun engaged in social programs in Baltimore. She was athletic (aikido), bright (advanced degree in psychology), usually seen in jeans, and had had boyfriends prior to discerning her vocation.

An interesting insight into the program was written by Sister Elizabeth Thoman, CHM of The National Sisters Communication Service. You’ll notice a number of links to articles about the stereotyping of religious women in the media, including “Between the Lines: Stereotyping of Sisters in the Media” at the Center for Media.

Gayle OSF April 10, 2008 at 7:51 am

There are also the gratuitous nun shots in movies and TV. I think in Return to Me, there’s some nuns on a bicycle at the end of the movie. Occasionally on shows such as E.R., there will be just a nun who walks by in the background in usually modified veil and habit. Sometimes they’re in airport scenes. These are more innoculous I think, but it is amusing to spot them since they pop up unexpectedly. But then on Law and Order they portrayed a nun in a veil and pants/jeans which looked silly.

To Desiree, are you thinking of Sister “Steve” on Fr. Dowling mysteries?

John April 10, 2008 at 7:54 am

Desiree, I think you’re thinking of “The Father Dowling Mysteries”, a late-80s early-90s series that had a Catholic priest as the protagonist detective and a nun as his assistant. It’s been years since I’ve seen it but I recall it being somewhat of a good portrayal.

deerose April 10, 2008 at 10:51 am

I am not all that familiar with nun flicks. I adored “Dead Man Walking” though. In fact, I’m going to see Sr. Helen talk again in a few weeks. And even though this film is not American, the portrayal of Teresa of Avila in the Spanish documentary was wonderful. It presented well her strugges, joys and strength of character. It appeared very authentic to me. I don’t know if any of you have seen the program “Judging Amy” (It’s off the air now in the NYC area). But they occassionally had “nuns” sitting in the halls of the courthouse. At the end of the every program, the production company showed this strange nun -like figure walking down a dark hallway away from the camera. Not sure what that meant!

Although the depiction of nuns on Sister Act is admittedly not realistic, and does at times perpetuate some stereotypes, I found the film portrayed some of the sisters as quite joyous. I don’t know if any of you like that gospel song “Oh Happy Day.” But there is a clip of that on you tube of the kids performing for the Whoppie Goldberg dressed as a nun. I find it energizing. If you are interested, google “youtube” and type “Oh Happy Day” in to the search engine. Click on the image of the male black teen from Sister Act and you can hear/see it.

I remember The Father Dowling Mysteries. The nun wa depicted as spacey but persistent. Father Dowling himself was not shown as much more sophisticated a character though.

paulinespirit April 10, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Great post! Dee, the nun in the credits after “Judging Amy” was the “signature” mark of its producer, Barbara Hall. Interestingly, this was Barbara’s “hallmark” (sorry about the pun) long before she became a Catholic. Barbara’s sister, Karen, is also a Catholic convert TV writer-producer.

Shelby April 10, 2008 at 1:20 pm

One of my favorites is “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison” from 1957.

Gayle OSF April 10, 2008 at 1:29 pm

Another sadly short -lived series was called “Nothing Sacred.” The nuns were distinguishable and realistically portrayed, at least for TV. Anyone else remember that one?

Susan Rose, CSJP April 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm

Moving to the TV realm, there was a character on Law & Order for a while named Sr. Peg. She wore jeans and helped the homeless. She was cool.

David April 10, 2008 at 4:05 pm

“Nothing Sacred” was a great show, and I was very sad when it was canceled so early. I have big hopes for a proposed show entitled “Vows” written by Karen Hall (mentioned, above, in paulinespirit’s comment). Although the protagonist is a priest, and it concerns male seminarians, I expect that sisters will be cast as regulars.

deerose April 10, 2008 at 7:51 pm

Sr. Anne: That is all very interesting. I didn’t know the writer of the show was Catholic but I’m not surprised. Aside from the nun at the end and in the halls of the courthouse, Amy’s assistant Bruce was a devout Catholic. And on one episode they talk about a cousin who was a Carmelite nun. Even though Amy was a typical, cynical, agnostic, progressive ex-Protestant character, she struggled with her beliefs. And in contrast, the Catholic Bruce in the show was portrayed with much respect. Ironically, in an odd sort of way, that show was rather Catholic -friendly.

Other Sr. Julie: Wow! That’s way cool! And you got to sing on the stage inbetween takes? You are gutsy! And probably a very good singer. Is there a youtube segment of this scene with you in it? If so, post it. If not, maybe you can submit it to youtube. I once saw Whoopi speak at a communications conference. She is a piece of work – funny and very charismatic. How was she to talk to? I see you are a Felician. I am friends with a few Felicians in the NJ province. I’ve been up to their motherhouse for a few events. They seem to be a very close-knit community.

Another Sister Julie, CSSF April 10, 2008 at 6:59 pm

I loved Nothing Sacred. It was the most realistic portrayal of nuns–ever. I still remember that elderly nun’s funeral, when the other sisters in her order stood up in their pews and sang “On Eagle’s Wings.” I sobbed.

Oh, and I was a non-union extra in the crowd scene at the end of Sister Act II. You can actually see me in my beige habit and black veil, standing and applauding after the kids won the competition. (As an aside, thier habits were made of a strange fabric that felt like those brushed nylon nightgowns, you know, the ones that feel like flannel on the outside. Wierd.) Not only did I get to meet Whoopi, I also got to stand on that stage and sing between takes. I brought the house down with–get this–”I Could Have Danced All Night”!

Desiree April 10, 2008 at 11:05 pm

Yep, it must be that. She was my favorite nun, besides the daughters of st Paul whom I only saw in magazines. Unfortuately the only sister I knew growing up was a older nun, a steryo-typical “vatican 2 screwed with my life plans so now I’m a liberal nazi” type figure who who wore a veil and a pants-suit. I was amazed to meet PVMI’s and also CFR’s. They are really cool. I also know some Daughters of St paul (though most are older so its harder to connect on a friendship level)

Amy April 11, 2008 at 6:07 am

I still loves those nuns in “Sister Act.” Even Whoopi’s character, who wasn’t really a nun, learned many lessons about love and life.

Diane April 11, 2008 at 7:12 am

My personal favorite for worst TV portrayal of a nun is the “Revelations” mini-series that was on a few years ago. Sister Jo with her long hair hanging out under the back of her veil was pretty classically awful. America magazine published a funny review of the series.

Jen April 11, 2008 at 3:16 pm

I think I watched Revelations just because of the MST3K-worthiness of it. It was so bad, I don’t even remember watching it.

Samantha April 13, 2008 at 8:48 am

I was wondering Sister, do you not like movies such as Sister Act and Sound of Music then? Despite the silliness of Sister Act, I actually thought it was quite thoughtful. Whoppi’s character grows up fearing nuns due to her past experience, and feeling unapproved by them. She ends up living with them and realizing that not all nuns are like those of her youth – conversely, the Mother Superior realizes that not all change is bad. It’s not terribly realistic – the major point of Hollywood movies is to make money, after all, but they don’t portray nuns in any bad way, really. And that scene where they’re making rosaries and Sr. Mary Robert asks Whoppi about when she got “the call” is just too funny! And Sound of Music is a beautiful movie…Maria really wanted to become a nun, and her Mother Superior felt that maybe her calling was elsewhere. I guess I don’t see how either one of those movies is offensive or stereotypical? (not that there aren’t some that are, of course).

I love Brides of Christ – that definitely portrays nuns as human beings, and the acting and writing are superb. And oh, I loved the Father Dowling Mysteries so much growing up. I learned to play pool because of Sister Stephanie. I have all the episodes on DVD, yeay!

Samantha April 13, 2008 at 8:50 am

Oh, I also wanted to mention that on the sitcom Grounded for Life, in the earlier seasons I think they did a thoughtful job of portraying Sister Helen – the principal at the school. Her interaction with Mr. Finnerty was always hilarious – he periodically forgot that she was much smarter than he was and kept trying to “bring her down.” But in the later seasons her character once again got one-dimensional and rather silly. One of her later quotes was “I don’t care about happiness, I’m nun.” *rolls eyes*

deerose April 13, 2008 at 12:51 pm

Samantha: I really liked Sister Act and the Sound of Music too. Having lived in Austria for a while though, some of it seems so silly. The real scoop on Maria was not essentially that she was joyous and carefree, but she had a real attraction towards the opposite sex and didn’t mind making those relationships physical. I believe her parents had her join the convent. I don’t think it was a choice of her own. But I’m not sure about that. The other part is true about her sex life. An Austrian friend’s grandmother who knew Maria personally told her that.

I love that show “Grounded for Life”. I live near Staten Island and relate to that whole urban, East Coast Catholic culture that it portrays. Admittedly it’s full of Catholic (Irish-Italian) stereotypical characters who are somewhat exaggerated, but it’s not that far off the mark. The one episode that comes to mind is when the lower middle class, subway construction worker-bar owner Mr. Finnerty is trying to save money to take his family on a cruise. When he talks to Sr. Helen about this, she tells him she was on a cruise. He was shocked thinking/telling her that nuns had to live in poverty. He responds something like, wow, YOU went on a cruise!?! They let YOU go on a cruise. The nun asks Mr. Finnerty who he thinks the “they” are. Dumbfounded, and before he can answer, Sr. Helen retorts, Oh, GOD, you mean did GOD let me go on a cruise? And Mr. Finnerty is just so confused at this point – he’s licked.

Although Sr. Helen is generally portrayed as intelligent, she is also depicted as overly sarcastic, mean and scheming. I wouldn’t want her as my kid’s principal.

Samantha April 13, 2008 at 6:31 pm

Hi Dee, That’s funny about the real Maria – I don’t know anything about her real life, I just meant in terms of the movie she did want to be a nun and seemed quite enthusiastic about it.

I love that scene on Grounded! They start arguing about whether Cancun is in the Golf of Mexico or the Caribbean…classic. I always found the interaction between Mr. Finnerty and Sr. Helen hilarious because he makes the biggest deal out of everything she does – you’d think she was like this monster or something. Remember that episode where he catches her swearing and then proceeds to blackmail her for the rest of the episode? I never found that Sr. Helen was mean at all – she was strict and everything, but not mean. I agree that Grounded does a really funny job of picking up on the whole east-coast Catholic culture thing, though.

Sr. Helen: I have office hours, Mr. Finnerty.
Sean: I work during your office hours, Sister.
Sr. Helen *sarcastically*: So do I.

deerose April 13, 2008 at 8:06 pm

Samantha: Yea, that swearing one was really good too. I also remember the one about the office hours. Very funny as well. Do you remember the episode when Sean complains about Sister Helen and his dad rebukes him claiming that all those holy nuns are “infallible?” Then wife Claudia replies that “infallibility” only applies to the Pope. Then the shrewd, seedy, underworld-type character, brother Eddie adds in his raspy voice, yea, “infalliblity” only applies to the Pope – but that’s only when he speaks from the Chair!

I think the main reason Sean’s interaction with Sr. Helen is so funyy is because he has no clue what to do with her! That’s probably true for a good number of people when they meet nuns. They are not sure what to make of them.. They think they need to act in some special way. Bob Newhart sometimes alludes to this when he talks about his sister, the Sister.

Perhaps the message of this story for today’s sisters (if they want to change their image) is to get out there a little more among the regular folk randomly, not just other Catholics, family members and the “poor”. But perhaps take a photography class at a local public high school, go to the local women’s club (not only Altar Rosary Society) fashion show, join the county historical society, volunteer to be on the town’s 4th of July celebration planning committee. This way all different people will actually experience nuns and many false images will crumble.

I know. The nuns reading this will think, with what time am I supposed to engage in all these extra activities? And it is really not their job to perpetuate a special view of themselves. But it can’t hurt. Actually, though, Sr. Julie does that quite nicely with this blog! You go girl!

lilly-bet December 27, 2009 at 6:55 am

hi all, i love Brides of Christ and The Trouble with Angels, i think they are wonderful representations inviting young people to challenge their preconceptions of religious life. i love it how the trouble with angels can represent the reluctance and just how scary it can be for younger women who think they are being called to religious life, especially in light of modern society. i also loved how brides of christ, an australian mini series (yay – go us aussies), presented views of older sisters, novices, sisters preparing for perpetual vows and more, the challenges that it vatican ii would have caused on a personal level for all us youngsters who are too young to have known anything other than post vatican ii catholicism.

another fave has to be the sound of music… but i always thought more that she was scared of the possibilities of life out side of what she knew, that is the idea of being married and not having the rules and regulations, that the idea of entering religious life to some people was a way of escaping some of the more frightening parts of lay life, ie. relationships and the hurt that they can cause… i also love it how the reverend mother makes it clear that it is easy for young women to think of convents as places to hide, as maria tried to do, and yet that is not the case! there are so many other movies that i like for different reasons with nuns but these have to be my favourites!

Sister Laurel, Erem Dio June 30, 2010 at 12:24 pm

I know this is dated, but a new reference to the project on contemporary images of nuns brought me here.

I continue to be surprised when even today in TV series I consider pretty good we find nuns portrayed as childish and escapist, mean (usally a notion of repressed sexuality), or otherwise simply irrelevant. The program I saw (maybe a year or more ago) which brought this home to me was an episode of House. The patient was a nun with a hard-to-pin down allergic reaction to a very old copper IUD placed before she entered and forgotten when she had a miscarriage. She was the childish/escapist stereotype (and of course a life of prayer was not only naive and completely silly, but underscored the rest). One of the other sisters was the “mean” stereotype: judgmental, speaking out of school, arrogant, hypercritical, etc. (She was also portrayed as juvenile in her own way. House offers her something to eat — a piece of chocolate or something — and she looks at him coyly and says, “Oh, I really shouldn’t. . .” as though this is not okay for nuns, but of course, she does — either because she is dying to “sin” or is out from under the thumb of superiors, or whatever other reason illustrates the not-so-subtle accusation of “hypocrisy” which runs through the show. In no cases were these women portrayed as deeply loving or faithful to reality (including God and their own commitments or selves). In no case would they be seen as capable of success in the “real world.” Anyway, the whole thing was VERY disappointing given that I tend to like the show.

By the way, what is it about TV habits (and no I am not talking about a hermit watching TV occasionally!)? Ears and hair ALWAYS stick out in ways they never do even with uni-caps (for those of us who wear modified habits and veils!). (Of course most of the time it seems the costumers have no inkling that there is usually a CAP under the veil. Hence the bobby pins and sense that white bands are cut from someone’s bed sheet and pinned in place without much thought, etc.)

Re Judging Amy: wasn’t the nun-like figure Amy walking down the hall in her robes? That’s what I always thought anyway.

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