Director: Alan Murray
Year: 2020
Country: Canada
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Supernatural
Plot:
Heading out to a friends’ house, a shy teenager trying to go a little wild reluctantly joins in when their host reveals a local drug to try out, bringing them into contact with a demonic entity looking to reenter our realm after being banished and must find a way to stop it before its mission to overthrow the world succeeds.
Review:
For the most part, this one wasn't all that bad. Among its better aspects is the fact that there's a rather enjoyable and intriguing introduction of the demonic infestation in their lives. With their arrival at the party and decision to partake in the drug session works rather nicely in bringing the creature into their existence giving the film a fine entrance for what's to come later. As the possession scene offers the trippy, psychedelic visuals of the demon approaching and possessing her followed by the attack scene on the friend checking on her since she left the ceremony, the eventual reveal of what happened and how they get affected is quite thrilling to see play out.
That leads nicely into the fun series of demonic attacks that begin to plague the group. The opening scene of the victims being sacrificed by the cult at the original location gives this a strong bloodsoaked start much like the attack in the house where the one victim is graphically devoured. The continuing scenes of the group being attacked by the demonic version of the possessed individual going around before seeing the true version of the demon launching into the attacks gives this some great action It all sets the stage for the big confrontation in the finale in the demons' realm where the concurrent mission to stop it in the regular world alongside the fight to stop it with the other demons getting involved in the action. Granted a nice twist that offers up a fun ending and plenty of impressive practical effects both with the demons and the gore for the kills, the film features some pretty entertaining positives.
There are a few issues featured within here. The biggest drawback is the decidedly obvious and cheesy-looking CGI featured in the demons' attacks that take the viewer right out of the scene. From the distortion blurring the scenery to never once interacting with what's happening on-screen, the entire time it's featured here looks plain fake and low-rent making it look all the worse especially as it keeps going on. Moreover, the decision to include the love triangle amongst the survivors makes no sense as this initially seems to be included for dramatic purposes without building anything concrete why any of the participants would like each other after what transpires early on. It's just lazy and underwhelming, making for the main flaws that hold this one down.
Overview: ***/5
A rather enjoyable indie effort that has a lot to like with some impressive work at times and only a few minor flaws that do distract at times but aren’t overly detrimental, this one comes off rather nicely in the end even if there aren’t too many exceptional points. Give it a look if you’re a fan of indie genre fare like this or just intrigued by what’s going on, while those turned off by the style or flaws should heed caution.
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