Director: Nick Kozakis
Year: 2023
Country: Australia
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Exorcism
Plot:
After a series of strange incidents, a woman unable to help overcome the unnatural way she feels tries whatever she can to get better with no help, but after consulting with a controversial exorcist to try to help her the brutality of his tactics puts her in mortal danger.
Review:
This was a decent enough if somewhat underwhelming genre effort. One of the finer aspects of this one comes from the rather enjoyable setup that works quite well at bringing about the need for the exorcism at play. With the first half here providing an in-depth look at the psychological and physical issues she comes under, with the constant discussion of her sleepwalking states, lethargic lifestyle, and just general lack of motivation to do anything in her marriage, it provides a rather strong starting point to what’s to come. With everything here being initially set up as a sketchy series of questions and treatment tactics that try to help the condition that no one is able to help, it generates an enjoyable starting point based on the need to get to the bottom of what ails her in all the wrong places.
When the topic of potential possession arises as a result of these encounters, the build-up is handled well enough to generate some likable elements. As the interactions present here start off with the usual assortment of possession tactics focusing on gravel-voiced threats, speaking in tongues, and various other verbal threats, the switch to handling the actual exorcism. Featuring far more grounded attempts at performing the ritual rather than the usual fire-and-brimstone style sequences, the idea that transpires here is on psychological warfare against the victim as the cruelty and barbaric treatments are designed more to torment and how grand his performance is in expelling the demon out with the barbaric nature of the ritual taking centerstage. That they might be more dangerous than the demon itself is a big thought throughout here, and it takes a while before that subsides, making for a lot to like here.
The film does have a few issues that bring it down. Among its main drawbacks is the fact that there are some rather quick motions to believe that the entire affair is a supernatural possession as that seems to come about immediately. As the majority of the first half focuses on the doctor visits, counseling sessions, and other means of interactions that take place that try to provide a diagnosis for what’s happening to her, the immediate jump into demonic possession arrives so quickly it’s almost like a blur with the near-fanatical fervor with which it’s presented. While it’s proven correct, that one such encounter is enough to signal that this is the end result after nearly no other course of action is brought up is a bit tough to swallow. It’s especially more so with the treatment and reputation that the main counsel arrives to perform the exorcism where the questionable antics that signal something is off with his motivations. These features are enough to bring this one down.
Overview: ***.5/5
A slightly different exorcism effort but still has some issues, this is a likable enough genre effort for those looking for something just outside the norm of exorcism films while keeping the issues in check throughout here. Those with an interest in the style or are curious about this one will have a lot to like here while most others who aren’t into these factors should heed caution.
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