REVIEW: DELIVER US FROM EVIL

Taking a break from all the big budget Hollywood blockbuster extravaganza, I am gonna review a much smaller movie. Well, this film is definitely smaller in terms of budget and the genre has a particular interest to me. I have always been fascinated with the paranormal and the supernatural, so a horror film in cinemas is something I look forward to.

The film is titled Deliver Us From Evil and it is directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister). Australian actor Eric Bana headlines the film with supporting actors Edgar Ramirez, Olivia Munn, and Joel McHale rounding up the cast. Famed film mogul Jerry Bruckheimer is the producer which I believe is his first foray into the horror genre after many action-adventure and drama films. The story is inspired by the true story of Ralph Sarchie and the script is adapted from Sarchie’s book Beware The Night. Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman wrote the screenplay. Coincidentally around this time last year, I reviewed a supernatural horror film title The Conjuring. The film was also inspired by a true story and I liked that film.

Will this year’s supernatural horror thriller be a film that I like? Do read on…

The real Ralph Sarchie in which the movie is inspired from.

SYNOPSIS:

Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) is a veteran New York police detective who is well-respected among his peers. One day, he and his partner (Joel McHale) gets a case which involves a woman throwing her baby at a lion’s den in a zoo. While he and his partner investigates the case, they notice certain connections to events they cannot explain. Together with the help of the woman’s ‘medical consultant’ named Father Mendoza (Edgar Ramirez), Sarchie discovers a world he is very unfamiliar and probably not prepared to face.

Eric Bana portrays the real life character Ralph Sarchie

SCRIPT:

Straight forward and mild. The story was pretty basic. It is your usual cop drama with added elements of the supernatural. The subject matter deals with demons and possession. Usually, films like this needs a strong back-story but this one was touched quite minimally. As the film progresses, it became more of a biographical drama of Ralph Sarchie rather than a horror movie like it was marketed. Good character development for the male lead roles but less on the female. I would have liked to see more. Great climactic ending if you are a fan of demonology and the occult.

Father Mendoza (Edgar Ramirez) and Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) team-up

ACTING:

Films like this usually give the opportunity for the actors to showcase their talent as stories like these usually involves intensity and danger. However, the acting was pretty much mediocre at best. I was expecting more from Eric Bana since he is quite an established actor. Joel McHale did well in his supporting role which also doubles as a light comic relief. Edgar Ramirez did reasonably well in one of his first lead roles after being a supporting one in other films for quite some time. I would have loved to see more of Oliver Munn.

Olivia Munn as Jen Sarchie

                                                                                                                       

FILMING:

Director Scott Derrickson has so far been successful in providing good scare moments for the audience but somehow this film lacked of it. There were some moments but too few to warrant what I feel is a supernatural horror film. He focused more on the film being a biographical drama rather than a horror film and he didn't quite find the right balance. I liked the cinematography as it gave a bleak and dark look like in horror films. High praises to the prosthetic make-up effects and visual effects.

Scott Derrickson (middle) on set with Bana and Ramirez

PACING:

A little too slow for my liking. It had a very good start but withered down towards the middle but build up to the good climactic ending. The middle part of the film felt a little draggy.

TONE (MOOD):

A veteran law enforcer who is grounded in reality and skeptic in the spiritual battles new villains that he cannot see or feel with the help of an unlikely source.

Eric Bana and Joel McHale play parter in crime.

DOWNSIDE:

The pacing is a little draggy. More drama than horror.

UPSIDE:

Good intense climactic ending.

Ralp Sarchie (Eric Bana) apprehending a suspect

OVERALL:

It was an okay. Not that scary but has it moments. If you want to know more about demonology (which is different from ghost hunting), this film might suit you.

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RATING:

6.0 out of 10