Very close to an 8, but I can't put it on the same level as The Exorcism of Emily Rose, which I find to be by far the best supernatural horror film out there. Still, for a long time I never thought a movie would come close.
My first interest in these exorcism flicks is to see how they handle the actual evil at hand. The good ones make it realistic enough without crossing the line into what I'd call flamboyant territory. This is a good example of that.. although it does have a few things that are the slightest bit ridiculous. For the most part it stays intelligent enough to make you think about the diabolical's motives and is consistent with its character.
The acting is really pretty good. Some side characters are like cardboard cutouts, but the protagonist and other main characters feel lifelike. I especially think the main Father character is well done.
Perhaps my favorite part, however, is how they approach the very real controversy behind the role of women in the Catholic church. There are the odd lines of dialogue that sound like caricatures of patriarchal ideas, but they are few. The theme is very much about the issue, but it isn't pandering or overzealous. The lead, Ann, is a flawed person-something too often overlooked in favor of 'I am woman hear me roar!' or such absurdities as a lady that weighs a buck-ten beating the tar out of a hulk of an enemy. No, she has her thoughts on the matter, but her entire being isn't defined by it. Very nice to see.
Finally, story wise it's a bit 'meh' but it did keep a twist for about half the movie for me. And it isn't just a mish-mash of old hat content. The end does leave it open to sequels, but I really hope they don't go that route.
If I could give it a 7.5 I would, but this is one of those cases where I'll have to round down.
My first interest in these exorcism flicks is to see how they handle the actual evil at hand. The good ones make it realistic enough without crossing the line into what I'd call flamboyant territory. This is a good example of that.. although it does have a few things that are the slightest bit ridiculous. For the most part it stays intelligent enough to make you think about the diabolical's motives and is consistent with its character.
The acting is really pretty good. Some side characters are like cardboard cutouts, but the protagonist and other main characters feel lifelike. I especially think the main Father character is well done.
Perhaps my favorite part, however, is how they approach the very real controversy behind the role of women in the Catholic church. There are the odd lines of dialogue that sound like caricatures of patriarchal ideas, but they are few. The theme is very much about the issue, but it isn't pandering or overzealous. The lead, Ann, is a flawed person-something too often overlooked in favor of 'I am woman hear me roar!' or such absurdities as a lady that weighs a buck-ten beating the tar out of a hulk of an enemy. No, she has her thoughts on the matter, but her entire being isn't defined by it. Very nice to see.
Finally, story wise it's a bit 'meh' but it did keep a twist for about half the movie for me. And it isn't just a mish-mash of old hat content. The end does leave it open to sequels, but I really hope they don't go that route.
If I could give it a 7.5 I would, but this is one of those cases where I'll have to round down.