THE DEVIL INSIDE (2012)

Directed By: William Brent Bell 
Written By: William Brent Bell & Matthew Peterman 
Cinematography By: Gonzalo Amat 
Editor: William Brent Bell & Tim Mirkovich 

Cast: Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth, Fernanda Andrade, Suzan Crowley, Bonnie Morgan, John Prosky

An American girl, Isabella, sets out to make a documentary to understand what happened to her mother who murdered three clergy people. She was not convicted due to insanity and was sent to a mental hospital in Italy. Isabella meets with some priests in Italy who explain that her mother's condition may not be medical, but could be an extra-human possession. Matthew Peterman and Brent Bell first came up with the idea for the movie when they read an article about the Vatican starting a school for exorcism.

The film tries to humanize the characters of the film, luckily there are so few unluckily they are barely interesting. It's understandable so that not only do we know the people we will be dealing with throughout but also when things happen they want us to care about the characters and be shocked by anything that happens to them. Including possession.

This is a found footage horror films that I have no problem with as long as they can find a useful way to give the audience a reason why the film needs to be made in this way entirely other then being a trend. Because as you watch these films and things emotionally and physically happen even to the camera people and those around them and all they can think to do is film rarely do they run or drop the camera. Which makes these films Unbelievable to a degree way past element of disbelief in fact they get perfect footage if not we suspect that it is to hide the effects.

Get around this sometimes supposedly the camera people have been smart enough to equip hidden and stationary cameras in exact places things will happen.

After awhile the film feels like it was inspired by the Denzel Washington film FALLEN with the demons seeming to be able to be passed around to different people with no warning or reason. Like a game of spiritual tag. It cheapens the experience to a degree and stretches the him capabilities of the story. It also seems inspired by the film THE EXORCIST not only with the demonic possession, but also the way the demon forces the contortion of the human body. This films seems to use that mainly as it's violence and unsettling horror. Just like THE LAST EXORCISM films. It seems like these scenes are the films strengths.

The films first half lays so much story and plot that it feels like it's own mythology before it gets to the truly horrific scenes. So the first half of the film is rather full then it tries to get exciting with items surprises during the exorcisms. That are revealing that never take off and give the film the energy it needs. I will give the film credit that it at least has the strength and bravery to build it's suspense when the audience obviously desires instant gratification. Though with so little to base it on other then theory. We are also supposed to be shocked by late revelations that seem obvious or really to matter to anyone except the characters as audiences have come to expect them. If this film had been made in an earlier more innocent time maybe it would have made an impact or been noteworthy.

The ending pretty much gives you an ending though of curious gives you a website to do our own research. Which while revolutionary also seems a by lazy considering the audience paid for a beginning middle and end I can see if this was a true tale or the film was cut down and you wanted to show deleted scenes or a different version. Even if this film was documentary and wanted I shed light on the case or phenomenon, But the way it is presented here feels like a rip off and a cop out.

Grade: D