Review by Monique Thompson
FINALLY, a film about exorcism accounts that is actually good! It seems like the world of horror movies has lately been saturated with paranormal experiences or exorcism accounts that are, well, quite lame to say the least. One major let down was this year’s The Quiet Ones, so naturally, I couldn’t help but utter, “Please let this be nothing like that”.
Based on chilling accounts from real-life police sergeant turned demonologist Ralph Sarchie’s book, Beware The Night, Deliver Us From Evil serves up horror, crime, humor, and suspense, all while documenting demonic forces. Ralph (Eric Bana), a veteran sergeant who’s left his religious beliefs in the past, and his partner Butler (Joel McHale) get involved in a case that leaves them both believing the suspect is nothing short of a psychopathic lunatic. However, things take a turn when a Castilian priest, Mendoza (Edgar Ramirez), shows up and informs Ralph that the only clear explanation for the suspects actions is a demonic possession. While still upholding his duty as a NYPD officer and trying to balance a relationship with his wife (Olivia Munn) and daughter, now Ralph must also fight these demonic forces that have arrived for a reason.
Interestingly, Mark Wahlberg was casted as Ralph Sarchie, but it was later announced that Bana took the job. Bana flawlessly plays this tough, no nonsense cop, who’s committed to taking down New York City’s most notorious criminals, at all costs.
With many movies documenting exorcisms and demonic possessions, there’s usually a lot of them with tons of down time with what seems to be nothing but filler-scenes that leave the viewer restless and equals to not much of anything happening. However, Deliver us From Evil starts with an action scene during a war and continues to build from that moment on. Aside from the fact that Deliver Us From Evil is actually really scary during parts, there’s no escaping the serious makeup effects that assist with the realness factor of the demonically possessed.
Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister, the classic Hellraiser: Inferno), Deliver Us From Evil is definitely one of those movies that will having you scratching your head, wondering just what would you do if you were in the same situation as Ralph Sarchie. Hits theaters everywhere July 2nd.
