When I first saw the Halloween ad, it made me feel instantly unsettled, uncomfortable, and, quite frankly, freaked out. I know it's an ad, but after I showed it to my husband, we both agreed that maybe marketing took this Halloween agenda a bit too far. Do you agree?
Hatch, a brand known for creating devices that help people sleep better at night, definitely struck a chord by blending Halloween fun with its signature sleep device. In a commercial that depicts the hidden costs of staying up all night on our phones and being addicted to scrolling, Hatch says you can sleep better with their device.
What I would describe as a partial reenactment of The Ring or M. Night Shyamalan films has left many viewers with more than just the seasonal chills. In a world that nearly praises darkness, we should ask ourselves a pivotal question: Where have I allowed darkness, distraction, or digital noise to replace true rest in my life? Are we so comfortable with the entertainment of darkness that we've failed to see evil for what it really is?
The irony of the Hatch ad is that Hatch is a company designed to promote calm and rest using their products. After watching their ad, however, I think the only thing many of us may get is more nightmares. Why would such a company use imagery that causes discomfort? Because this isn't just about Halloween marketing. It's about a culture that pokes fun at darkness, yet wonders why they still can't find peace.
Fear as Entertainment
It should be noted that Hatch isn't alone in this marketing trend. For centuries, many companies have found Halloween as a time to use what's eerie to grab attention. And that is what it does. As creeped out as we are, we can't seem to turn away. The problem with this marketing is that while we might be more convinced to pay attention and buy their product, what's the cost of our souls and attention?
Scientifically, fear captivates the brain faster than peace. Fight or flight is a common response known to many, but it shouldn't have to be something we worry about when watching TV commercials. Sadly, marketing companies prey on this fact because stimulation feels more exciting than stillness. To them, it's better to make people uncomfortable than to lose their attention altogether. And to an extent, it makes sense: Why not use a holiday to bring in more sales? A business is a business after all.
While the intent is creative, at what expense have we normalized darkness? Demons in the night? Twisted heads and pulling phone cords from our throats? Sleepless nights without end? Nightmares that suddenly blend into reality?
Scripture reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:17 that any fear we experience isn't from God. If we believe in Christ, His light lives within us (John 1:5), and that light exposes what darkness distorts. It might sound like an overreaction, but even a simple ad can make us forget that this evil is real. It's not a funny commercial. It's a mockery of something unseen.
Ephesians 6:12 says it this way: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (KJV). So, maybe, our attraction to fear reveals how restless our souls really are, even if that scares us to our core? Perhaps it scares us more than this Hatch commercial.
The Irony of Selling Rest Through Chaos
Sadly, there is a truth that each of us must wrestle with, and that is between us and God. While commercials and ads might stir up uncomfortable feelings or uncertainty, this contradiction of marketing "rest" with creepy imagery points to something deeper.
All of us, to some extent, often choose distortion over true rest. We think one more scroll, funny video, text chain, email response, and YouTube channel won't kill us, but the costs are climbing. Scrolling before bed, falling asleep to notifications, and confusing quiet with boredom is the norm. But should it be? Is it truly worth the costs?
Suddenly, digital dependency has replaced genuine rest. Not only this, but we've accepted and normalized evil. But true rest is separate from fear. True rest doesn't come from sound machines, the latest product, or a scary movie we watch to numb the pain. No, true rest is found in a person: "Come to Me, all you who are weary..." (Matthew 11:28). Jesus says “Come to Me,” (Him), not come to your phone or something that will temporarily numb you inside. Marketing can try to sell us rest through chaos, but if we buy in, we will always be left feeling empty inside.
What This Reveals about Our View of Evil
As of 2025, our culture continues to trend in the pattern of evil. Not only does it surround us through world events, but we trivialize evil, treating darkness like a funny, scary movie or a ghost that jumps out to frighten us in the night. The joke's on us. Treating darkness as entertainment rather than a distortion of good has serious consequences, and it's time we take note.
Christians don't need to live in fear of this darkness, but rather in discernment. Jesus told us in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (NKJV). We will face scary and awful things this side of Heaven. We live in a fallen world and must remember that this place is not our home. But here's what we must come to ask ourselves: Are we numbing ourselves to what's dark simply because it's trending?
Friends, Jesus didn't avoid darkness; no, He entered directly into it, boldly proclaiming the light. Our call isn't to escape culture, but illuminate God in it. Hatch commercial or not, blurring the lines between harmless fun and spiritual principles is a danger we should all be aware of. In a world that celebrates what's spooky and sensational over what's sacred and holy, may we be people who choose peace and light over lure. The Hatch ad might be funny, scary, or entertaining to you, but I hope it reminds you that lasting peace can't be marketed or sold. Real rest isn't haunted, it's found in the eternal hope of Christ alone. The question is, will you accept it and sleep well tonight?
A Prayer to Protect Our Minds from Evil
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for being my true source of light and peace in a crazy, chaotic, and evil world. As we see wickedness all around us, glorified in culture, fear, and confusion, help us to keep our eyes on you. Quiet our minds from the noise and distraction, and teach us how to rest in you and your Spirit alone. Help us to realize how serious evil really is, and not to turn a blind eye when people poke fun at it. Allow us to boldly approach cautious conversations with others about these topics, and to stand for truth, even when it’s hard. In Jesus' Name we pray,
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ Ronald Lim
