Deliver Us From Evil ( Rated R )
Horror films based on true stories are often very hit and miss, they can turn out very well, however sometimes they turn out pretty poorly. Deliver Us From Evil is first and foremost a very competently made film, from the fantastic performances to just how well the film was shot. Eric Bana stars as Sgt. Ralph Sarchie, A real NYPD Sergeant who experienced paranormal incidents, during some of his investigations.
Now the film's main plot line and investigation are fictional, however the character of Ralph and his wife Jennifer Sarchie played by Olivia Munn, are real. Their character arc, is close to their real life experiences. It is refreshing to see Olivia Munn in a serious role, her performance was well done and very believable. Eric Bana as always, gives a great performance, and proves yet again that he is a very underrated, but extremely talented actor who can carry a film on his performance alone. Ralph's partner Butler, who was created for the film, is played by Joel Mchale of all people, who delivered a solid and capable performance; specifically in a climatic action sequence where he shows some very impressive knife fighting abilities.
The story starts off in Irag with an intense firefight during the night, without giving anything away after the battle something spooky happens, then shifts to New York. The film follows Ralph as he investigates a series of odd occurrences, during which he meets a rather odd priest, played by Edgar Ramirez, and his performance really made the paranormal elements believable, he honestly stole every scene he was in. What really stands out about the film, was just how well made it was, as I said the performances are very good, and the atmospheric way it was shot, really gave the film a chilling visual presence. There are a few jump scares, and they are mostly well done, they felt more effective than I have seen in some recent horror movies.
What I really enjoyed about Deliver Us From Evil, was that it felt like a return to classic atmospheric horror. The film is certainly violent, bloody and unsettling, but it was never overbearing with the gory imagery. If you are expecting a fast paced action horror type film, this will really disappoint you. The pace is slow, and it is the type of film that slowly builds to a very satisfying climax. That being said, the film is not without exciting action sequences, and each sequence not only provides the necessary thrills, but they are also essential to the story.
I was skeptical of how this film would turn out, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by just how good it was. The visual effects were also very impressive, the blend of practical and digital special effects, was what made them so potent. As a fan of classic slower moving horror films, I really enjoyed this kind of approach, it focused on building atmosphere and story, over in your face blood and guts. Nevertheless the film does feature some brutal and graphic gore, however it is more of the unsettling variety of gore, instead of being a nonstop splatter spectacle, instead of being something from a slasher film. If you are easily unsettled or disturbed, this may be too much for you, as this is a very intense film.
The premise is what really interested me, the mix of a detective and paranormal story is right up my alley, and I must admit the "based on actual accounts" angle did intrigue me further. The story did not disappoint me, it took it's time to develop it's characters and create plenty of suspense. The film also packs some impressive set pieces, including one of the most intense exorcism's since The Exorcist. The story is not completely original, and it does rely on the genre's many cliches, however it make's the most of it's components. If you are looking for a slow burning horror film, with great performances, fantastic effects and grim atmosphere, you will enjoy Deliver Us From Evil.
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