Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Here Comes the Devil


This is a unique film. A Spanish film directed by up and comer Adrian Garcia Bogliano.

The plot is as follows (per IMDB)…A married couple lose their children while on a family trip near some caves in Tijuana. The kids eventually reappear without explanation, but it becomes clear that they are not who they used to be, that something terrifying has changed them. A score of 4.7 on IMDB
I know Adrian Garcia Bogliano (the director) from a movie of shorts called “The ABCs of Death” with the entry “B for Bigfoot”. It was in my opinion one of the best segments in that movie. So when I saw the trailer for “Here Comes the Devil”, I knew that I had to watch it.  Now this film is not for everyone, but I suggest you give it a shot. The overall feel of the movie feels like one from the 1970s.  It reminded me of a Spanish exploitation film called “Satan’s Blood”. The mood, script and acting had a 70s feel to it.   For a parent, the vanishing of their children is always a hard subject. The parents in the film let you see them at their worst as they wait to see if the police find them.  It’s not a spoiler, but the children do come back, or so you think.

The movie itself is a very slow burn, so if you like instant gratification, then this film is not for you.  But if you put in the wait and are patient, then you are rewarded with a genuinely unnerving conclusion that is paired with a very escalation sense of dread.

I will say that the real star of this film is Bogliano. From the very beginning of this film, he creats an atmosphere of tight slow unwinding tension that builds to the perfect closing shot, often like horror master Mario Bava.

All and all this is a terrific movie. Viewing it takes me back to the classic exploitation films of the 70s and 80s.  With fantastic direction and great acting by the children and the parents trying to keep it together, this provides a payoff that will leave you speechless. I highly recommend this movie.

8.5/10


This film is currently steaming on Netflix Watch Instantly.

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