Use precise phrases like "theological horror," "grimdark clergy," or "apocalyptic faith fiction."
The gold standard of the genre. It pits a crisis-ridden priest against an ancient demon, blending psychological realism with absolute terror.
Look at books nominated for the Bram Stoker Awards or the World Fantasy Awards.
Priests are expected to be pure. Watching them battle extreme external disasters or internal corruption creates unparalleled dramatic tension.
A historical masterpiece. It follows a Portuguese Jesuit priest driven to the brink of despair in 17th-century Japan. It is the ultimate exploration of faith under catastrophic pressure.