When i saw the trailer for this Nefarious I also saw the trailer for The Pope's Exorcist. The other demon possession film that has come out the same day as this one. I chose to see Nefarious.
It would seem that on the surface just another demon possession film but it takes a much different approach than most of the hundreds of films of it's kind. This film relies more on dialogue than jump scares or special.effects. Also it is clearly a morality play.
Nefarious is set in a prison in Oklahoma on the day of execution of a serial killer. A psychiatrist is called in to interview the killer to determine if he is mentally competent to be executed. Almost the whole film takes place in the prison in one room. The killer claimes to be a demon that has possessed Edward's body and wants to be executed. The killer is named Edward and is played by Sean Patrick Flanerry. The psychiatrist is named James and is played by Jordan Belfi. Edward claims to be possessed by a demon. The psychiatrist obviously thinks it's a personality disorder but the two men spend most of film in a great back and forth. Flanerry as Edward is terrific. He embodies both the demon side and the Edward side perfectly. The tension in the film comes from his great performance. No special effects just some really great dialogue performed well by both actors. The film is more a psychological thriller than a horror film but it has great tension and does ask questions about good and evil that can create some great discussion.
I've seen reviews ratings on aggregator sites and the critics are destroying this film. I feel that is totally unfair. This film has a certain point of view and it seems some critics let their political views determine whether a film is worthy. That's an unfair way to review a film. This may not be a classic but it is a well acted, dialogue driven film that is well worth seeing...
Grade: B.
It would seem that on the surface just another demon possession film but it takes a much different approach than most of the hundreds of films of it's kind. This film relies more on dialogue than jump scares or special.effects. Also it is clearly a morality play.
Nefarious is set in a prison in Oklahoma on the day of execution of a serial killer. A psychiatrist is called in to interview the killer to determine if he is mentally competent to be executed. Almost the whole film takes place in the prison in one room. The killer claimes to be a demon that has possessed Edward's body and wants to be executed. The killer is named Edward and is played by Sean Patrick Flanerry. The psychiatrist is named James and is played by Jordan Belfi. Edward claims to be possessed by a demon. The psychiatrist obviously thinks it's a personality disorder but the two men spend most of film in a great back and forth. Flanerry as Edward is terrific. He embodies both the demon side and the Edward side perfectly. The tension in the film comes from his great performance. No special effects just some really great dialogue performed well by both actors. The film is more a psychological thriller than a horror film but it has great tension and does ask questions about good and evil that can create some great discussion.
I've seen reviews ratings on aggregator sites and the critics are destroying this film. I feel that is totally unfair. This film has a certain point of view and it seems some critics let their political views determine whether a film is worthy. That's an unfair way to review a film. This may not be a classic but it is a well acted, dialogue driven film that is well worth seeing...
Grade: B.