The Empty Man: A Twisted Horror Film Explained - What is a Tulpa?

The Empty Man is one of those creepy horror Movies! One of those truly weird stories where even fans are talking about it a few years later!

The Empty Man came out back in 2020, and took audiences on a bizarre ride of chills!

A Bizarre Horror Film

If you haven't had a chance to watch this cult classic it's based on a graphic novel series from Cullen Bunn, from 2014. It started out being released theatrically but quickly made a splash on Hulu, and if you like horror, get ready for this. It's full of scary stories with tons of atmosphere and intrigue.

This movie took a wild ride, full of suspense as an ex-cop "James" played by James Badge Dale goes through an investigation, looking for a missing person! There's a big clue as a group of hikers, going into an unknown part of the woods, end up coming into a spooky part of their world! There, a skeletal being is discovered in a creepy cave!

The group doesn't have a happy end as a disturbing entity plays a powerful mind game, taking the group down one by one, but leaves just one survivor behind!

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Exploring The End of The Empty Man

A man shines a flashlight on a skeleton totem in The Empty Man Image

If you haven't watched this movie, it will leave you questioning what exactly happened and whether this creature, "The Empty Man" is real.

Fans are obsessed, it's super disturbing, and it does so in the coolest way! That's because James uncovers how far this sinister cult truly goes. After searching and doing some research. James has a big epiphany. He learns a really shocking, mind blowing truth.

You won't believe it - He becomes a "Tulpa." In The Empty Man, he is this crazy cult's latest subject that can be easily manipulated by the mind controlling power of this dark force!

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The Pontifex Institute

A skeleton in a cave in The Empty Room Image

The cult called "The Pontifex Institute," is at the center of all the craziness, this is one of the most insane, powerful cults in horror. They make the movie truly unforgettable.

The whole group, as fans can guess, has one major goal!
The goal, is "The Empty Man."! That entity must come into existence with such terrifying might.

In this instance they used another unsuspecting victim as the vessel or conduit. They took over his body as a living, breathing horror, for quite a while! And you see where it's going. A great deal of pain for Paul who's being used as The Empty Man's puppet!

If The Empty Man wants to really rise in the world! The cult needed a new host to do their bidding.

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What Does A Tulpa Mean?

James Badge Dale in a doorway in The Empty Man Image

You've heard the term and have seen some movies that might even have introduced you to the concept, but the real meaning behind a "Tulpa" comes from Tibetan Buddhism! They represent shared thoughts, beliefs that people come to think of as so true and important that they come to life! It transcends those initial thoughts!

That is also where "The Empty Man" has its inspiration and has made its appearance in pop culture! In a really scary, unsettling way!

For those who love Twin Peaks will recognize "The Empty Man's" inspiration! The Twin Peaks show had some seriously disturbing episodes!
The real impact of this concept! They can manifest through a collective mindset.
The more people believe in this terrifying being or idea the more real it becomes and can exist as something beyond our thoughts!
The most recent show that introduced this, is The Babadook! A terrifying book about a monster called Mr. Babadook that was so terrifying that those who read the book or even "The Babadook" fans, believed the character so intensely that it was truly something that could exist.

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The End is Approaching:

James Badge Dale and Sasha Frolova sit on a bench in The Empty Man Image

With "The Empty Man," you get this crazy moment where "James" was put on this horrifying journey.

This cult created him!

You won't be able to believe the twist!

The crazy, twisted cult members! Had him accept his new role, in a truly bizarre way! He was put on a mission to possess a new body. He needed the power of "The Empty Man." It seems he accepted this mission to fill that horrifying role!
"The Empty Man" got an impressive end.

The Empty Man did some truly crazy and special things!

The director "David Prior" shared some thoughts on his idea that created so much shock! He wanted to bring back that awesome feeling that makes the classic works of H.P. Lovecraft.

He also revealed why this crazy ending of The Empty Man was always in the cards and had to happen. Fans love that element.

"The Empty Man" certainly gave those that love a little mystery, horror and confusion their wish! It has all the things that make this movie a fan favorite and there have been questions and thoughts from "The Empty Man's" devoted fans about a new version of the story but nothing has been announced!

It looks like if the next part comes out! It will follow that same sense of confusion and weird twists that will get all the horror movie lovers thinking about its depth!

To see this strange story come to life. Check out "The Empty Man." It's just another great way for those who want to keep themselves up at night to dive into another epic horror story, with the potential for more of "The Empty Man".