Coffin Joe

Zé do Caixão
Coffin Joe's float in the 2018 Carnival of São Paulo
First appearance
Last appearance
Created byJosé Mojica Marins
Portrayed byJosé Mojica Marins
In-universe information
AliasJosefel Zanatas
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
OccupationUndertaker
HomeVila Velha (ES)
NationalityBrazilian

Zé do Caixão [ˈzɛ du kajˈʃɐ̃w], known in English-speaking countries as Coffin Joe, is a character created and nominally played by Brazilian writer, director, and actor José Mojica Marins. An amoral undertaker with Nietzschian beliefs,[1][2] he is driven by his desire to have a son by "the perfect woman", believing that immortality is achieved through procreation, a concept he refers to as "the continuation of blood". He often resorts to murder, kidnapping, and rape to achieve his means, with his violent nature, atheism, and antagonism towards Christianity placing him into conflict with his largely Catholic neighbors. Despite his own disbelief in the supernatural, he often finds himself experiencing paranormal phenomena, including encounters with ghosts, Death, and visions of Hell.

Initially conceived of by Marins to serve as the antagonist in At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul, Brazil's first horror film, Coffin Joe has gone on to appear in nine more films, three television series, songs, music videos, and comic books. The character has been called "Brazil's National Boogeyman",[3][4] and is considered a horror icon and a cultural icon of Brazil,[5] with his popularity resulting in descriptions of him as being the Brazilian equivalent of the United States' Freddy Krueger.[6]

  1. ^ Axmaker, Sean. Embodiment of Evil: Coffin Joe Returns After 40 Years. Parallax View. Pub. 2011-3-30. Retrieved 2019-4-30
  2. ^ Kutner, C. Jerry. Jose Mojica Marins Meets the Spirit of Ed Wood in the World of Coffin Joe. Bright Lights Film Journal. Pub. 2009-4-10. Retrieved 2019-4-30
  3. ^ Bravilian Horror Iconic Coffin Joe at Latin Beat
  4. ^ Stockman, Tom. A Strange Night with Coffin Joe. Pub. 2016-9-6. Retrieved 2019-4-30
  5. ^ Vuckovic, Jovanka. Vockovic's Horror Miscellany. Stories * Facts * Tales and Trivia. Retrieved 2019-4-30
  6. ^ Whittaker, Richard (28 October 2017). "My Friend Coffin Joe". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 20 February 2020.