Religious based horror media has been one of the most financially and critically successful sub-genres in all of the dark arts. Both film and print have raked in well over a few billion dollars in gross profits since the 1960’s. “The Exorcist,” Paranormal Activity,” and even the drab release of “The Nun,” have smashed box office records with their plots revolving around dark religious themes. The fear of the devil and uncertainty of the afterlife seeps into audiences primal instincts. While the Christian world celebrates the resurrection of Christ this week, horror fans of all religions can revisit some of these remarkable holy roller works.
THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE (1997)
Circumstance puts an unbeatable Florida lawyer in the hands of the Devil. When Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) gets recruited to join the biggest law firm in the world, he can not resist, despite the warning from his religious mother to stay home and stay humble before the Lord. Lomax becomes enthralled and obsessed with his larger than life boss John Milton (Al Pacino.) At first Lomax is blinded to the otherworldly events that take place around him while his wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron,) begins to unravel after one unnatural event after another unfolds before her. As Lomax comes to terms with his true identity and dark calling, he must choose between the light and the dark.
“The Devil’s Advocate” production alone is a horror story for the ages. Based on the best-selling novel by Andrew Neiderman (a modern version of Alighieri’s Inferno itself), the film spent nearly a decade in development hell. Several key crew members walked off shortly after production and Pacino and director Hackford were at war from the jump, adding to the mystic behind the film as such works dealing with the Devil often do. A visually stunning film, critics were split on their reception. Most critique is that the film jumped too much between courtroom drama and supernatural thriller. This was the full intent of the original novel, citing that modern day evil lies in courthouses and attorneys rule the world. Love it or hate it, “The Devil’s Advocate” is a non-stop thrill ride with both Reeves and Pacino sizzling the screen.
THE NINTH GATE (1999)
A rare book collector is recruited to find a series of books that have the power to summon the Devil. Once again, this film is loosely based upon the brilliant written work, “The Club Dumas,” by Arturo Perez-Reverte. Spanning several countries and under the direction of controversial legend Roman Polanski, “The Ninth Gate,” is a slow burn scenic masterpiece.
Mr. Balkan, a wealthy book collector, recruits shady book dealer Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) to hunt down three books that are rumored to be written by the Devil himself. The passages of the work can summon the dark lord and grant the owner of the book immortality and eternal riches. After retrieving one of the three known copies of the book, Corso heads to Europe to find the other two and discover the secrets to the Devil. At first skeptical, the appearance of a dark guardian angel, a sinister group tracking his every move, and fleeing one circumstantial death after another, Corso begins to convert before he delivers the written deeds to Balkan.
Played as a visually artistic film that take the audience on a supernatural thrill ride, “The Ninth Gate,” split critics. Depp puts in a professional but flat performance. Polanski’s eye shines from the sleek setting of New York through the ancient homes and streets of old Europe; however, the final act of the film falters. After spending well over an hour and a half waiting to discover the devilish secret, the viewer ends up with more questions than answers. The true hero of the film is the story itself. A plot revolving around Lucifer’s written works alone keeps the pace and plot of the film flowing. “The Ninth Gate” is always a fun film to view, but unlike cinematic masterpieces that can be watched over and over, this one is best saved to be seen years in between. (Adding to the dark lore of Polanski, it is to be noted he was alleged to have stolen a missing one-million-dollar bond that was to be used to guarantee the release of the film in France. Truly the Devil was in the director’s chair)
THE LAST EXORCISM (2010)
Eli Roth’s eye for great scripts shines again with this fantastic found footage film. As a minister finds his faith in crises, he agrees to allow a documentary crew to follow him into the deep south to reveal the harmful effects of religious fever. Quickly after arriving at a simple farmer’s home, who has requested an exorcism, the minister unravels some deep dark secrets of the south.
A young woman, Nell, is allegedly possessed by a demon named Abalam. The famous minister, Cotton Marcus, shows the film crew the tricks of the trade, attempting to deceive the already convinced family that the possession is real. As Nell starts to display unnatural and supernatural behavior, Marcus tries to shift the focus of her illness to medical psychiatry and family trauma. Several events later and Marcus and the crew journey into the dark southern abyss to uncover the truth.
“The Last Exorcism” is found footage at its best. “The Blair Witch Project,” gave birth to documentary style found footage films, “The Last Exorcism” perfected it. The dialogue is scripted instead of improvised but brought to life by the tremendous performances of leads Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell. When you think you have seen it all in the realm of physical film exorcisms, the young Nell will make you squirm in your seat. “The Last Exorcism” was also a box office smash, bringing in close to 70 million against a budget of 2 million. While most horror films are lambasted for failing third acts, this film only accelerates its greatness and delivers one of the best endings in horror history. The success of the film greenlit a quick and forgettable sequel, but this uniquely original religious based film is a superior supernatural horror show.