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The Passion of the Christ was indeed eye-watering stuff in places, and it was obviously decided that sadistic gore was required in order for us to fully appreciate our saviour's revelation.
Perhaps Christians are made to feel like women, then, after watching I Spit on Your Grave?
'Christploitation' isn't new (remember The Last Temptation...?), but never has it been so visceral.
In terms of what has been the influence on Saw, Hostel, Wolf Creek et al, I would say producers have finally decided to put both feet back in the nasty exploitation era and go for broke. Shock sells, and filmmakers have realised they are allowed to get away with much more this decade than they were in times of broad censorship twenty years ago. Because the authorities and campaigners are more distracted by the internet, film isn't the scrutinised media that it was.
If they can truly ditch the self-awareness and irony while they're at it, this is good news for all of us.
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