'Deliver Us From Evil' Review: Supernatural Thriller Combines Horror and Redemption
Director Scott Derrickson returns this week with a crime thriller boasting a redemptive twist in "Deliver Us From Evil," in theaters now.
Derrickson, who has helmed horror films such as "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "Sinister," does not shy away from Christian themes in his films. "Deliver Us From Evil" openly focuses on one man's inner conflict about faith as well as evil as described in the Bible. "Deliver Us From Evil" offers an extra thrill to moviegoers this summer since the story is based on actual events.
The film was adapted from a 2001 book written by a real-life former NYPD officer Ralph Sarchie, who investigated a string of crimes before partnering with a priest and learning about exorcisms. "Deliver Us From Evil" stars Eric Bana as Sarchie, Olivia Munn who plays his wife, and Edgar Ramirez, who takes on the role of an unconventional Catholic priest.
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Bana, best known for his roles in "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "Hulk," appears in almost every scene in "Deliver Us From Evil." The actor demonstrated admirable commitment to his haunted cop character, complete with a Bronx accent. The film opens with Sarchie's increasing inability to deal with the horrors of his job in a violent neighborhood, but things get worse when a string of crimes lead to his realization that a "prime evil" of a demonic origin is terrorizing his city.
After a deranged woman attempts to kill her young child, a whirlwind of terrors surrounding a demonic possession will leave moviegoers spellbound. Searching for answers to stop the crimes, Sarchie is reluctant to join forces with a non-traditional priest, Mendoza (Ramirez). However, Mendoza teaches the self-proclaimed "heavy-handed" cop that the only way to face evil is to admit and release his sins before God, unburdening himself in preparation for the pivotal exorcism. At the film's zenith, Ramirez shines in a powerful exorcism scene fraught with emotions that leaves the audience shaken.
"Deliver Us From Evil" contains strong language and graphic scenes. Joel McHale also stars as Sarchie's partner, Butler. The trailer for the film, which hit theaters everywhere July 2, is available here.
