Is Gozer a Real God?
No, Gozer is a fictional Sumerian god and villain created for the Ghostbusters franchise. While the films present Gozer as a destructive ancient deity, the character has no basis in actual mythology or religion.
As a passionate Ghostbusters fan and gaming content creator, I want to provide more context around Gozer‘s origins and role in the movies‘ mythology. Read on for a deep dive into the background of this iconic and terrifying movie monster!
Who is Gozer the Gozerian?
Gozer is an immensely powerful, shape-shifting entity dedicated to destroying worlds across multiple dimensions of the Ghostbusters universe. Known as "Gozer the Destructor" and "Gozer the Traveler," this malicious god-like being has conquered countless worlds over a 6,000 year history.
According to Ghostbusters lore, Gozer was worshipped as a deity by ancient Mesopotamian cultures like the Hittites and Sumerians around 6,000 BC. As a high-level Class 7 entity, Gozer displays reality-bending supernatural powers beyond scientific understanding.
The androgynous Gozer often manifests using minions, with Zuul the Gatekeeper and Vinz Clortho the Keymaster appearing in the first film. Gozer then selects a "Destructor Form" suited to the dimension – taking on the likeness of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters (1984).
Gozer‘s Goal: Destroying Worlds
As an extra-dimensional being, Gozer‘s sole purpose is to destroy worlds. The entity is said to wait on the other side of dimensional portals until summoned by worshippers or cult rituals. Once the portal opens, Gozer crosses over to devastate the surrounding world.
"Gozer the Gozerian… He will come in one of the pre-chosen forms. During the rectification of the Vuldrini, the traveler came as a large and moving Torg! Then, during the third reconciliation of the last of the McKetrick supplicants, they chose a new form for him: that of a giant Slor! Many Shuvs and Zuuls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Slor that day, I can tell you!" – Vinz Clortho (Keymaster) describing Gozer
Luckily, the Ghostbusters are able to disrupt Gozer‘s manifestation and banish the god-like being by crossing proton streams. But Gozer likely still lurks in search of vulnerable worlds and worshippers to resume destruction.
Gozer in Ghostbusters Franchise Lore
While played mostly for laughs, the original Ghostbusters establishes rich supernatural lore around Gozer that later films would expand on:
Ghostbusters (1984)
We first meet Gozer as a long-forgotten deity uncovered by 1980s paranormal cultists in New York. After opening an inter-dimensional portal on the apartment building roof, Gozer manifests and attempts destroying Manhattan as the Mr. Stay Puft mascot.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Gozer worshippers conduct rituals in Summerville Oklahoma, leading to instability in the dimensional barrier. While unseen, the film reveals Gozer‘s true demonic form in concept art – a winged, horned humanoid monstrosity wreathed in lightning.
Terrifying stuff for a so-called god! But one bested by the boys in beige when manifestation rituals go awry.
Gozer’s Destructor Forms
Another iconic trait is Gozer‘s ability to manifest as Destructor Forms – taking the shape of an indigenous creature or concept from the invaded world. These forms channel Gozer‘s reality-rending power to suit different dimensions:
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man – The Mr. Stay Puft mascot for the fictional Stay Puft Marshmallows brings silly terror stomping across 1980s New York. Over 100 feet tall, the plush monster tears up Central Park and skyscrapers alike.
Torg, the Large and Moving – One of Gozer‘s manifestations during the Third Reconciliation of the McKetrick Supplicants, assuming towering shape as a dreadful creature named Torg. Likely another dreadful monster, only spoken of in Vinz Clortho‘s rants.
Slor, the Many Shuvs and Zuuls Roasted By – Another enigmatic Destructor Form summoned by Gozer‘s cult, assuming a beast known as the Slor. Thisresults in calamity for Shuvs and Zuuls across dimensions! We can only imagine what horror Slor unleashed.
While we‘ve only seen Stay Puft on screen so far – the forms played for sheer absurdity – later films or games may reveal more of Gozer‘s destructive incarnations from alien worlds.
Is Gozer a Real Sumerian/Mesopotamian God?
I think we can safely rule out Gozer being based on actual Mesopotamian mythology despite mentions in the films. The names Gozer, Zuul, and Vinz Clortho do not appear in any genuine Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian or Hittite lore.
In reality, the traditional Mesopotamian pantheon centered on gods like Marduk, Enlil, and Ishtar. I couldn‘t find any evidence of “Gozerian” temples or worship rituals existing in ancient Iraq or Syria where Sumerian civilization arose. Other fictional elements in Ghostbusters include the creatures known as Torgs, Shuvs, Slor and settings like the Temple of Gozer.
So while an intriguing supernatural concept – the otherworldly Gozer unfortunately isn‘t rooted in real history or mythology. Just the genius of Dan Aykroyd mixing ancient alien theories into comedy gold!
I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into Gozer‘s origins. Let me know your favorite Gozer moments or theories around this iconic movie villain! Do other fans think Gozer was inspired by actual Mesopotamian religion? Happy to chat more Ghostbusters lore anytime!
