History Main / HeavenVersusHell

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/DoomEternal''. While you would expect the angelic Maykrs to be battling the demons of Hell alongside the Slayer, it turns out that they're not only not doing squat about [[HellOnEarth the situation on Earth]], but they're ''actively helping the demons'' because their leader, the Khan Maykr, [[spoiler:made a [[DealWithTheDevil deal with the Dark Lord that leads the demons]] to hand over worlds for the demons to devour in return for the Argent Energy that their world of Urdak requires to survive -- energy [[PoweredByAForsakenChild made of the souls of Hell's victims]]]].

Since Christianity is one of the world's largest and most pervasive religions, it should come as no surprise that one of its central tenets is featured in many works of fiction: the concept of a {{Heaven}} and a {{Hell}}. This doesn't mean that the works have to represent both sides in strictly biblical terms ([[NotUsingTheZWord or even name them as such]]), but should follow the traditional depiction of both sides.

One of the most common ways this appears is having the central plot resolve around an actual physical battle being fought between the two forces, usually TheArmiesOfHeaven versus TheLegionsOfHell. Typically, this battle is being fought [[{{Masquerade}} in secret]] while the [[PlausibleDeniability rest of the world goes about their "happy" lives.]] The motives of both may differ slightly from work to work, but it generally revolves around wanting to TakeOverTheWorld. If this conflict does spill out into the world at large, you may be dealing with HellOnEarth or even HellInvadesHeaven. Granted, this conflict is typically a metaphor for OrderVersusChaos, but occasionally works will depict [[GodAndSatanAreBothJerks both sides as flawed or undeserving]]. AngelsDevilsAndSquid is a variation of the conflict that adds the TakeAThirdOption to the typical "[[BlackAndWhiteMorality good versus evil]]" conflict, by introducing a chaotic, alien element that often [[OmnicidalManiac just wants to obliterate everything]] based on a BlueAndOrangeMorality.

One of the most common ways this appears is having the central plot resolve around an actual physical battle being fought between the two forces, usually TheArmiesOfHeaven versus TheLegionsOfHell. Typically, this battle is being fought [[{{Masquerade}} in secret]] while the [[PlausibleDeniability rest of the world goes about their "happy" lives.]] The motives of both may differ slightly from work to work, but it generally revolves around wanting to TakeOverTheWorld. If this conflict does spill out into the world at large, you may be dealing with HellOnEarth or even HellInvadesHeaven. Granted, this conflict is typically a metaphor for OrderVersusChaos, but occasionally works will depict [[GodAndSatanAreBothJerks both sides as flawed or undeserving]].

Compare: OrderVersusChaos, PowersThatBe, HarmonyVersusDiscipline, BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil, LightDarknessJuxtaposition. For a battle between different Gods within or between pantheons, see DivineConflict.

* ''Film/{{Dogma}}'': subverts this as [[spoiler: Hell has as much reason as Heaven to stop the 2 rogue angels from getting back into Heaven, as Satan does not want to see another succeed where he failed. The one behind the whole scheme would rather have Cessation of Existence over the eternity of Hellfire he was punished with over not choosing a side (though he would have recieved the same fate for not choosing the 'correct' side) during the original war in heaven.]]

* Wendy Alec's ''Chronicles of Brothers'' series is an imaginative expansion of the Bible story concerning the fall of Satan and the ongoing war between Heaven and Hell that will resolve itself in the (interpreted) events of Literature/{{Revelation}}. Ms Alec is scrupulously diligent in sticking absolutely to the script as Fundamentalist American Christian theology interprets it - Rapture and all - and even though her books are essentially Christian polemic and we all know what way the script is intended to end, contrives to create a readable and engaging story.

* ''Film/Dogma (Film)'': subverts this as [[spoiler: Hell has as much reason as Heaven to stop the 2 rogue angels from getting back into Heaven, as Satan does not want to see another succeed where he failed. The one behind the whole scheme would rather have Cessation of Existence over the eternity of Hellfire he was punished with over not choosing a side (though he would have recieved the same fate for not choosing the 'correct' side) during the original war in heaven.]]

* ''Film/Dogma'': subverts this as [[spoiler: Hell has as much reason as Heaven to stop the 2 rogue angels from getting back into Heaven, as Satan does not want to see another succeed where he failed. The one behind the whole scheme would rather have Cessation of Existence over the eternity of Hellfire he was punished with over not choosing a side (though he would have recieved the same fate for not choosing the 'correct' side) during the original war in heaven.]]

* ''Film/{{Dogma}}'': No surprise, given the title. The central plot revolves around a mission to [[spoiler: save God from the LegionsOfHell]]

* Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's ''Literature/GoodOmens'' is a beautifully subversive take on the idea of Heaven versus Hell, seen through the eyes of an Angel and a Demon who are fated to be on opposite shoulders of the human race - for eternity.

* ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'': The entire conflict of the story is a battle between the High Heavens led by the [[CouncilOfAngels Angiris Council]] and the Burning Hells led by the [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils Seven Great Evils]].

* Wendy Alec's ''Chronicles of Brothers'' series is an imaginative expansion of the Bible story concerning the fall of Satan and the ongoing war between Heaven and Hell that will resolve itself in the (interpreted) events of revelations. Ms Alec is scrupulously diligent in sticking absolutely to the script as Fundamentalist American Christian theology interprets it - Rapture and all - and even though her books are essentially Christian polemic and we all know what way the script is intended to end, contrives to create a readable and engaging story.

Since Christianity is one of the world's largest and most pervasive religions, it should come as no surprise that one of its central tenets is featured in many works of fiction: the concept of a {{Heaven}} and a {{Hell}}. This doesn't mean that the works have to represent both sides in strictly biblical terms ([[LowestCosmicDenominator or even name them as such]]), but should follow the traditional depiction of both sides.

* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', the war between demons and angels became a major plot point eventually and was a case of BlackAndGrayMorality.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_42a168ebfebdb39ec79d07f4912d0509.png]]

While the central conflict has its roots in Christian dogma (which actually got it from an older religion, UsefulNotes/{{Zoroastranism}}, through its Jewish ties), and may even use names, places, and ideas straight from Literature/TheBible, expect the works to twist the concept to fit the storyline or the themes of the work. Also, expect lots of [[AsTheGoodBookSays quotes straight from the good book]] and lots of traditional depictions of angels and demons.

While the central conflict has its roots in Christian dogma, and may even use names, places, and ideas straight from Literature/TheBible, expect the works to twist the concept to fit the storyline or the themes of the work. Also, expect lots of [[AsTheGoodBookSays quotes straight from the good book]] and lots of traditional depictions of angels and demons.

Compare: OrderVersusChaos, PowersThatBe, HarmonyVersusDiscipline, BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil, LightDarknessJuxtaposition.

One of the most common ways this appears is having the central plot resolve around an actual physical battle being fought between the two forces, usually TheArmiesOfHeaven versus TheLegionsOfHell. Typically, this battle is being fought [[{{Masquerade}} in secret]] while the [[PlausibleDeniability rest of the world goes about their "happy" lives.]] The motives of both may differ slightly from work to work, but it generally revolves around wanting to TakeOverTheWorld. If it spills out into the world at large, you may be dealing with HellOnEarth or even HellInvadesHeaven. Granted, this conflict is typically a metaphor for OrderVersusChaos, but occasionally works will depict [[GodAndSatanAreBothJerks both sides as flawed or undeserving]].

One of the most common ways this appears is having the central plot resolve around an actual physical battle being fought between the two forces, usually TheArmiesOfHeaven versus TheLegionsOfHell. Typically, this battle is being fought [[{{Masquerade}} in secret]] while the [[PlausibleDeniability rest of the world goes about their "happy" lives.]] The motives of both may differ slightly from work to work, but it generally revolves around wanting to TakeOverTheWorld. Granted, this conflict is typically a metaphor for OrderVersusChaos, but occasionally works will depict [[GodAndSatanAreBothJerks both sides as flawed or undeserving]].

* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', the war between demons and angels became a major plot point eventually and was a case of GreyAndBlackMorality.

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* In the Franchise/DCUniverse, Heaven is known as "The Silver City" and is staffed by badass angels, one of whom joined the ComicBook/JusticeLeague for a while. Hell is actually an evil version of Earth where souls are used as construction materials (seriously) and demon lords constantly struggle for power.
* In the Franchise/MarvelUniverse, there are several [[AnotherDimension realms]] known as "Hell" but none is the actual Christian Hell, nor is any demon lord actually Satan (though they often pretend to be). Heaven and God have never been seen (except briefly by the ComicBook/FantasticFour, and how much of that was real and not a trick by some CosmicBeing remains to be seen).
** "Hell" was originally one realm, but in the events that gave birth to the Hell Lords like Mesphisto and Sataanish it was smashed and became the "Splinter Realms", which were then divided between those demons and the Death Gods of the various Marvel pantheons. Also, some stories imply that there is indeed a {{Satan}}, and others suggest that this is actually ''all'' of these demons who periodically merge to become a composite entity.
* In ''ComicBook/JohnnyTheHomicidalManiac'', Hell is just like Earth, but without any of the positive elements. Heaven is a [[FluffyCloudHeaven fluffy cloud realm]] where everyone just stands around all day.

[[folder:Fan Works]]

* Heaven and Hell exist in the ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'', but are played rather uniquely. Heaven (interchangeably called Elsyium) is ruled by the [[TopGod Father of All Alicorns]] (who's ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin) and Hell (interchangeably called Tartarus) is the domain of Havoc, the TopGod of the Draconequi. Interestingly, religion is a nonfactor in this universe, neither Elder actually ''cares'' about religion and is more concerned with rather the person was actually good or evil in life. Also interestingly, Havoc is ''not'' described as the ruler of Hell, instead as its Warden (and given that Tirek is the only escapee in history, a good one) and the tormentor of the condemned. The two sides have only been at war once and it wasn't over the afterlife at all, but occasionally the two do play against each other when a soul would fall between them to test whether the soul will seek atonement or simply deny having done wrong. Also, Havoc allows souls from Heaven to enter Hell to try and redeem and save the souls in him.

[[folder:Film]]
* ''Film/{{Dogma}}'': No surprise, given the title. The central plot revolves around a mission to [[spoiler: save God from the LegionsOfHell]]
* ''Film/TheExorcist'': With the priests representing the forces of Heaven, the battle is particularly vivid here.
* ''Film/LittleNicky'': Not much violence between the two forces, but the battle is there none-the-less. A rare example where Hell is depicted as, at least somewhat, noble.
* ''Film/TheDevilsAdvocate'' is all about Satan's rise to power in modern day New York culminating in an attempt to bring about the Anti-Christ.
* ''Film/{{Constantine}}'' deals extensively with the battles of Heaven and Hell and how the titular character is mixed up in them.

[[folder:Music]]
* Black Sabbath's first album with Music/{{Ronnie James Dio}} is called Heaven and Hell (it's as epic as it sounds).

[[folder:Literature]]
* Wendy Alec's ''Chronicles of Brothers'' series is an imaginative expansion of the Bible story concerning the fall of Satan and the ongoing war between Heaven and Hell that will resolve itself in the (interpreted) events of revelations. Ms Alec is scrupulously diligent in sticking absolutely to the script as Fundamentalist American Christian theology interprets it - Rapture and all - and even though her books are essentially Christian polemic and we all know what way the script is intended to end, contrives to create a readable and engaging story.
* Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's ''Literature/GoodOmens'' is a beautifully subversive take on the idea of Heaven versus Hell, seen through the eyes of an Angel and a Demon who are fated to be on opposite shoulders of the human race - for eternity.
* {{Subverted|Trope}} in the ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'' trilogy, in which [[spoiler:the afterlife is the same boring, monstrous eternity for everyone and "Heaven" is populated by a corrupt CelestialBureaucracy. [[HaveYouSeenMyGod God]] doesn't seem to be around to keep them in check.]]
* Many classic literature pieces dealt exclusively with the realms of the divine and the damned. Our "traditional" depictions of them were created by such works as ''Literature/ParadiseLost'' and ''Literature/TheDivineComedy''.
* In the Literature/IncarnationsOfImmortality series, Heaven and Hell (as well as Purgatory) are all places to which a soul may go when it dies. Where a soul goes is based on the actions taken by the person. The actions are judged according to an ancient contract between God and Satan. Ironically, Satan wants to update the contract to be more in touch with modern values (i.e. having a child born out of wedlock is not automatically sinful, nor is the child penalized for it), while God remains totally silent on the matter. The reason for God's silence is a main driver later in the series.
* Creator/RobertAHeinlein's ''Literature/JobAComedyOfJustice'' was a re-telling of the classic Biblical story with the author's own take on divine beings and the afterlife.
* Adam R. Brown's ''{{Literature/Astral Dawn}}'' features an epic war between the forces of Heaven and Hell, though they are typically referred to as Averya and Nazyra. They are the same places, however, as it is established the same places spoken of in the Holy Bible are known by many names.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', the war between demons and angels became a major plot point eventually and was a case of GreyAndBlackMorality.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* The ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' series follows the conflict between the various forces of the "Trinity of Realities", Paradiso (Heaven), Inferno (Hell) and the human world. While the Umbra Witches and Lumen Sages are forces of the human world, they are aligned with Inferno and Paradiso respectively. In the first game, Bayonetta fights angels and even travels to Paradiso for a few levels, while in the second game she also travels to Inferno and fights demons.
* ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'': The entire conflict of the story is a battle between the High Heavens led by the [[CouncilOfAngels Angiris Council]] and the Burning Hells led by the [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils Seven Great Evils]].
* ''VideoGame/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness'': The central conflict again. Slightly less dogmatic than other versions. [[spoiler: A BatmanGambit done by the benevolent leaders of both eventually succeeded in uniting the two.]]
* Most of the plot of both ''VideoGame/NexusWar'' games revolves around the battle between the angels of Elysium and the demonic hordes of Stygia. There are several neutral free-will-aligned deities around as well to make for a MeleeATrois, but the main focus of the lore is on heaven vs. hell.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* The ''Webcomic/HolyBibble'' is a comic retelling of the Bible. Complete with behind the scenes stories on the angels and demons involved.
* ''Webcomic/TheBrickTestament'' also retells the Bible. This time using [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Legos]].
[[/folder]]

[[redirect:Main/HeavenAndHell]]