Deliver Us From Evil
Starring: Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez, Olivia Munn, Chris Coy, Joel McHale, Sean Harris
Directed By: Scott Derrickson
Reviewed by Danielle Muir
[rating: 3.5/5]
Deliver Us From Evil doesn’t know quite what it wants to be – it’s not the horror it was marketed as, rather it’s more of a crime/thriller with a healthy dose of exorcism. And a family drama. And there’s a bit of action…
Even though it’s a little disjointed, Deliver Us From Evil is still a good time for those who enjoy a bit of a scare, and is far from schlocky. Forgettable, but an entertaining bit of fun for those who enjoy films of a similar nature.
NYPD officer Ralph Sargie, renown on the force for his crime hunches, is called to a domestic dispute. From here, he discovers a string of crimes concerning three ex-marines who came across occult symbols while deployed. He ends up joining forces with Mendoza, a priest who’s educated in the ritual of exorcism, and who looks after victims of possession.
The film doesn’t challenge your brain cells, but does keep you entertained and intrigued as to how things will play out – so what more could you ask for? The most interesting plot is Sarchie and Mendoza (played stereotypically but enjoyably by Bana and Ramirez) uncovering the occult forces behind the possessions. The family plotline with Olivia Munn doesn’t really hold much weight until the end, but isn’t distracting. Joel McHale’s wise-cracking buddy cop is predictably entertaining, apart from a very out of place fight scene where he and the bad guy unleash their ninja skills.
The main possessed baddie Santino (Harris) really pushes himself to the limit, and with great results – his menacing make-up and cold stares really do send a shiver down ones spine. During the films very extended (and very exaggerated) exorcism scene, you do feel a bit of sympathy for the poor chap, he really makes it believable and impactful as the sequence intended.
Deliver Us From Evil will please horror and thriller fans with its jump scares, possessions and dark themes. It’s not rocket science, but it is entertaining and enjoyable.
