Films based on paranormal events are some of the most popular sub-genres in all of horror. The allure of the other side coupled with demonic antagonist have sprung a multi-million-dollar media enterprise. From films to television series, to entire paranormal networks, the eternal fascination of the spiritual world will always keep the living obsessed with the dead. After helming the fantastic, Ash and Bone¸ Writer/Director Harley Wallen turns his gifts towards a paranormal production with his latest outing, The Devil’s Left Hand. Will this spiritual spook-fest continue the long line of successful films based in mysticism or be a boring boo.
Richie (Kris Reilly) and Cassidy (Kaiti Wallen) invite some friends over for a good old fashion fortune telling and séance. What starts out as a good-natured spiritual session turns demonic quickly when something breaks through from the other side. Shortly after the sinister séance, odd occurrences begin to haunt those that attended the evening. Richie and Cassidy’s home turns into a den of darkness and the couple flees to a hotel to escape the haunting. Cassidy contacts Vesna (Aphrodite Nikolovski,) the spiritual guide the couple hired for their housewarming haunt, to investigate the odd occurrences. Vesna’s investigation uncovers Rickie’s dark past which could all to well be a conduit in conjunction to the evil entity that has seeped into the land of the living. Fearing that she is over her head, Vesna contacts a stronger medium, Zeb (Harley Wallen,) to assist in destroying the powerful entity. As the dark spirit becomes more aggressive, all involved must unite for a spiritual showdown.
The Devil’s Left Hand is an atmospheric, multi-layered, spook show, indie gem. Wallen’s script is a slow burn fear fest that unravels into a deliciously dark entry in the world of paranormal productions. Wallen, along with cinematographer Michael Kettenbeil, hammer home all the nails that make for a great spook show. Household fixtures go flying, spirits wander in and out of scenes, and possessions take place, all shot with admirable quality for an indie film. All of the performances are solid with Nikolovski and Wallen himself standing out with deep portrayals of those that walk on the dark side. Much like Ash and Bone did for the slasher genre, The Devil’s Left Hand, does for supernatural based films. That is putting original fresh spins on old records. With mainstream horror mired in the recent strikes, artists like Wallen, will be ones to watch in the next few years.
Scream Score: 8.3/10