“Jesus Christ” were the words most commonly heard at SXSW’s world premiere of this religious horror flick—and not for the reasons they should have been.
It’s rare to watch a movie that feels less like it was influenced by other, better films and more like a straight-up clone of one. Even in a genre like horror, where subcategories of movies like slashers and creature features frequently imitate or reference each other, making something that isn’t in some way distinct is a challenge. are about young nuns living in a European convent who begin to experience dark forces living within the walls of their holy home.
From these first few moments, the film exhibits its themes in big, neon lights. Bodily autonomy! Sexual violence! Using religion to justify nefarious misdeeds! It’s all gallingly conspicuous enough to prompt remorse over the apparent death of subtlety, especially when.
Writer Andrew Lobel and director Michael Mohan might have been able to pull off this ruse if they understood how to establish any distinct atmosphere. Neither Mohan nor Lobel know how to build tension and horrific suspense, much less release it to create a fluid, ebb-and-flow pacing. Instead, scares land with a leaden thump, tossed out like they were plunked into the screenplay at the last second—when Lobel realizedcould be a horror film, and not merely a religious thriller.
When Claudette Godfrey, the film programmer for SXSW’s Film and TV festival, told the audience at the world premiere that they “don’t even know what’s about to happen,” it almost sounded like a challenge. How much could Mohan and Lobel throw at viewers, and would it be legitimately scary? If you see windows, mirrors, and dark rooms, and don’t realize that you’re about to be hit with a cheap shock, maybe.
It is not, however, for a lack of trying on Sweeney’s part. Her Cecelia has all the right stuff, and Sweeney uses her expressive eyes and evocative features to turn her character into a snarling, frightened horrorshow. Her work keepsinteresting, even when there’s nothing remotely intriguing happening around her. Seeing as Sweeney rescued the film and joined it as not just a lead actor but also, that’s not all that surprising.
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