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Is it worth $10? Yes
A movie that hosts a relative unknown cast and can be described as “Paranormal Activity” meets “The Exorcist” has disaster written all over it, right? Well, hold up a second there, this film has some surprises up its sleeve. “The Devil Inside,” with its mockumentary format, tells the story of a daughter going to Italy to research the strange events that caused her mother to murder several people 20 years ago during a supposed exorcism. The daughter, Isabella (Fernanda Andrade,) witnesses several unauthorized exorcisms on her dark path to the truth. For 20 years, her mother has been locked up in a Vatican City mental hospital with the Catholic Church denying any possibility of possession and relating the murders to mental illness. Two priests show Isabella the reality of demonic possession and set out to save her mother. Things start to go terribly wrong and the question of “Could the Devil be at hand?” becomes evident.
The acting was much better than anticipated, 
with Fernanda breaking through with some real emotion and the mother, Maria (Suzan Crowley), having a very creepy and unnerving performance. I also give kudos to the sound team for not adding any hokey soundtrack or telegraphing the scary moments like “Paranormal Activity” does. The writer/director William Brent Bell really researched the source material, giving a genuine believability to the exorcisms, the Catholic Church’s stance and involvement, and even the science and paranormal fantasy tied to possession.
Paramount studios went the extra mile with their marketing during the screening. We had a couple of Catholic Priests standing outside the theater handing out prayer cards with the movies website on them. Just before the movie, one of them even gave a brief monologue, reminding us that we were there of our own free will and let us know that he did not approve of our seeing the movie. It left you wondering if he was a real religious figure warning us about the film, or just a plant by the studios. I appreciate those extra touches. It lends to the realism of the movie.
Regrettably, for as much praise as I am throwing out there are also some failings. Some of the plot points that are brought up in the movie never get fleshed out. This includes one involving a priest’s uncle that is mentioned several times. Then there’s the ending, which is abrupt and unsatisfying at best. A sequel is most certainly possible, but that would likely depend on the box office draw. However, with the obvious attempt to bring you into a future movie and to a website (which was posted at the end of the movie), I believe this was not the correct way to parlay into a sequel. It will surely turn a fan sour with loose ends.
If you want some decent scares and a fairly believable study in exorcism and demonic possession, then this flick is for you. If you are tired of the “reality” horror craze, and not into an intense, yet unsatisfying ending…then maybe you should “exorcise” your right to skip this one. Or at least wait until it’s on cable or video.
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ravenjack
said:
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... The ending does borderline on atrocious. It does appear that the devil is now "outside" somewhere. A word of warning , the credits are the slowest I have ever experienced. Do not wait through them. |
twtcad
said:
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... Well I do completely agree with your review.....it was a good movie until the end! The end killed it for me! So much that I kinda hope the movie fails to send a message to not make endings like this again! I don't need complete resolution like some at the end of a movie, but this had absolutely none! The black screen at the ending scene was perfect, but then should have come back with a better ending....at least something to make us want to see a sequel! No....not so much.... But as you say the acting was done very good and the story kept you going and wanting more until the end......3 stars is generous in my opinion for an overall rating! |
keyboardmaster
said:
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... It leads you on like a Burlesque dancer only to be slapped in the face at the end. There is also word on the street that the last scene shows only two passengers in the car instead of 3. Whoops spoilers.. |
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