Deliver Us from Evil *** (2014, Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez, Olivia Munn, Sean Harris, Chris Coy) – Movie Review

Eric Bana is all fired up and gives an excellent, commanding performance as troubled New York Police Department cop Ralph Sarchie, who is investigating some disturbing, inexplicable crimes. Edgar Ramirez is very solid too as Father Mendoza, the unconventional, exorcism-savvy priest Sarchie links up with to combat what turn out to be demonic possessions apparently terrorising the city.

Co-writer/director Scott Derrickson, veteran of The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) and Sinister (2012), puts some flair and style into it, and whips up an intense, atmospheric movie. Quite exciting and scary, it is generally overall a pretty good supernatural thriller.

In a long, two-hour running time, it starts really powerfully, and motors grippingly in the middle section. However, the last half hour is unfortunately less satisfactory, and frustratingly of course that is the bit you remember and take home with you.

Obviously, it would like to be terrifying, but alas it isn’t. It is kind of creepy and eerie, though, so that will do instead. It has a credibly grungy, sweaty look about it, and so do the actors, with their handsome, lived-in faces.

The problem is, that it is supposed to be a true story, as it is based on Ralph Sarchie’s own book (written with Lisa Collier Cool) detailing his real-life story. But Deliver Us from Evil would be far better as a fictional story, as it is hard to believe a word of the movie’s last half hour as shown here. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer gives it the flash and snazzy production it needs to have quite a bit of real excitement and quality written all over it.

It is more of a police thriller than a horror movie, but horror buffs will be pleased to know that it is rated R for bloody violence, grisly images, terror throughout and strong language.

Scott Derrickson’s next film is Doctor Strange (2016).

© Derek Winnert 2014 Movie Review

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