The subject of Ethan Hawke's 2024 biopic "Wildcat", Flannery O'Connor's incisive explorations into themes traditionally reserved for philosophical or theological discourse, using the medium of Southern Gothic literature, ensure her place not only as a critical figure in American literature but as a profound commentator on the human experience. Her works challenge the reader to confront the darkness within and the potential for transcendence, making her contributions invaluable to the fields of both American literature and moral philosophy.