The other world in culture
The topic of the other world got the popularity in the epos and in the fairy tales. The travelling of heroes to the other world was not the magical transmission but the challenge to the evil forces.
The fairy tale is very much connected with the ancient ceremonies and rites especially those that are connected with the travelling of the live person to the other world.
And such symbolical connection penetrates the whole mythology and cultural life of people. So, Odysseus had to travel to the other world to get back home. And Aeneas had to visit it to settle in Italy.
On the other hand all myths and stories about the visits to the other world are connected with the visions and soul travelling to the other world. And there are a lot of authors that used the topic of the other world in their literary works.
For example, Dante described the hell and the paradise putting the sinners to the definite circle in dependence on the sin people committed. And Thomas Mann also used the topic of the other world sending there his main character with the companion and guide.
Some authors even put the events and characters with the aim to transmit satire. Dostoevsky is the vivid example of such intention as well as Bulgakov.
In general the other world is the interesting motive of many films and art works.