Devil’s Gate Review: Milo Ventimiglia and Shawn Ashmore find themselves battling more than your average ghost in this slightly strange horror offering.
Devil’s Gate Review
Often when horror films attempt to blend multiple genres, the results are bland, confused, and tonally uneven. From the outset, Devils Gate appears to be a mysterious thriller brimming with potential. The opening scene is a terrifying and brilliantly gory sequence, that will easily wet the appetite of any keen horror enthusiast. But things quickly go downhill from there as the film descends into a typical alien invasion flick, with little resemblance of the blood-filled horror that we were promised.
This is a huge shame for a number of reasons, largely because the cast are all on fine form here. Shawn Ashmore (X-Men series, The Following) is a shamefully underutilised talent in Hollywood, and a rarity who’s begging to be exploited more. The former Iceman stars as a police detective paired with Amanda Schull’s FBI special agent, in order to track down a missing local and her son. Ashmore is a typically likeable and charming lead, with little characterization and background worked into the script. Despite this, he still manages to wrench every bit of emotional weight out of the role, delivering a surprisingly powerful performance as a result.
Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes, This is Us) also gives a predictably compelling and intense performance. After distancing himself from his former superhero days on network television, Ventimiglia has predominately focused on dramatic productions. This has rightfully allowed him to build an impressive portfolio of powerhouse roles over the past few years, and it definitely shows. His character is also subject to one of the films biggest, and only, twists in its otherwise dull and unimpressive climax. Schull is also a saving grace, but is easily overshadowed by the two aforementioned leads for the majority of the film.
Devil’s Gate Review
The creatures glimpsed throughout Devil’s Gate, are seen sparingly in an attempt to preserve tension, or more likely due to budgetary constraints. Unfortunately this is ineffective as a result of their unimaginative design and execution. Any viewers expecting to discover their new favourite movie monster, will sadly walk away sorely disappointed. Instead they appear to resemble a bland crossover between a Xenomorph, and a cheap Doctor Who villain. Despite this, the film is well directed and doesn’t immediately reflect its low budget, that is until the final act. Tonally, it still manages to maintain its murky, dark atmosphere consistently. Even though it is seemingly unable to decide whether it wants to be a slasher, atmospheric thriller, or sci-fi horror.
Overall, Devil’s Gate leaves a lot to be desired and definitely could have benefited from a few re-writes before filming. That being said, it does act as an impressive showcase for the growing talents of both Ashmore and Ventimiglia. This will easily provide an entertaining watch for any keen viewers looking to see what both actors have been up to. Otherwise, this silent invasion could leave audiences snoring, rather than anticipating the final act.
Devil’s Gate review by Ben Read, September 2017.
Devil’s Gate screened as part of the Horror Channel Frighfest 2017 programme.
