Director: Scott Derrickson
Cast: Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez, Sean Harris, Joel McHale
Certificate: 15
New York city cop Ralph Sarchie (Bana) finds himself teaming up with a local priest after his borough becomes overrun with a demon-worshipping faction.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL is yet another ‘based on real life accounts’ tale of demonic possession, a subject matter that director Scott Derrickson has already had experience with, from directing THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE. His last outing SINISTER also dealt with the demon realm so you’d think that by now he would know how to deliver something really scary. Sadly DELIVER US FROM EVIL misses several marks resulting in a disappointing, but still watchable demon thriller.
The biggest problem that hounds DELIVER US FROM EVIL is the overinflated run time. Coming in at just under two hours, the film would be much better with some of the fat trimmed off. The first hour is an unfortunate waste of time that doesn’t really add to the plot; it isn’t until around the sixty minute mark that the story kicks off.
The casting of Joel McHale as Bana’s beat partner is more distracting than anything else. McHale is primarily known for comedy, being a main role in TV show Community, and whilst I have no problem with actors and actresses breaking out of their comfort zone, McHale isn’t given a chance to showcase anything other than his limited knife-weilding skills.
Once the film has found its legs there are a few genuinely creepy moments; one scene involving Sarchie’s daughter and a jack-in-the-box is particularly memorable. Sean Harris (who was brilliant in Southcliffe) should also be commended for his performance as head of the possessed, exuding real otherworldly unnaturalness. The exorcism segment towards the films climax should also be commended, it is one of the more believable in recent history.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL fails to further the demonic possession genre, but you could do a lot worse for a Saturday night movie.
[usr=3] DELIVER US FROM EVIL is out to buy from Monday 5th January.
