Nefarious (Blu-Ray)

I heard about this movie back in April, and thought it might be an interesting movie to watch. When I looked for it in the theaters, I couldn't find any theater within 100 miles of me that was showing the movie. It also wasn't streaming at the time so I kind of forgot about it.Then someone mentioned it again last week so I looked it up and found that it was streaming on various services. I went ahead and rented it on Amazon ($20 bucks for a rental ...ouch).The movie was quite good. But I must warn viewers looking for the typical demonic possession horror movie this is not it. There is no head spinning, pea soup vomiting, or jump scares. It's pretty mild as horror movies go. It deals with issues and messaging that I think will make a lot of people uncomfortable. Basically, the ideas the movie plays with are somewhat frighting, and might cause one to consider their current positions. Which is never a bad thing. It will either strengthen your views or cause you to perhaps consider alternatives.For those who are concerned that it is a Christian movie, I don't think Jesus's name is ever even mentioned in the movie, nor is Satan or the name Lucifer for that matter. They are alluded to, but never mentioned by name.The Exorcist had much more Christian theology in it then this movie. There are only a few biblical verses spoken and those are in Latin or some other ancient language, so those that think they might get preached at should have no fear.There are three main characters played by two actors, both actors did an excellent job, but hats of to the actor who played two characters. All I can say is wow. He did such a good job. It's a shame that people will discount his performance because they don't agree with the some of the sociopolitical messaging one of his characters expressed.I would recommend a friend to watch it.It really is a much watch performance.

This movie is not going to blow your mind with CGI, and other special effects. It's basically two guys sitting across from each other and having a conversation. One is a criminal on death row who says he's possessed, the other is an atheist psychiatrist who needs to determine if the criminal is fit for execution.And trust me. This will mess with your mind longer than any Hollywood horror movie ever will.As someone who knows the actual work of Fr Gabriel Amorth, (read all his books, saw all his interviews, watched his documentaries, studied his career) "the Pope's Exorcist" was Hollywood BS... even though it got more theater screenings and more attention. It was horror fluff.If you are interested in this topic and you want something more tangible, more real... Nefarious will give you a real look at the demonic and possession in a way Hollywood hasn't before.The part that stuck with me was when Edward, the criminal, ordered his final meal while waiting to see if the Psychiatrist would sign off on his execution, and he told he guard it was VERY important to him. Nefarious, the demon, came forward again and canceled his final meal saying, "I changed my mind. I'm not hungry." Then when time came, Nefarious let Edward come back and learn that meal he wanted so bad, was never coming... as a way to torture him more.That look on Edward's face jarred me. Sean Patrick Flanery played that duel role so brilliantly.As someone who studies demonology, there is still so much that can still be said... so I do hope they make a sequel.

An atheist psychiatrist meets a demoniacally possessed condemned man and has to decide if he's sane or insane. The premise is very interesting and the dialog was sharp and snappy and revealing.the demon points out to the doctor how his master takes over peoples hearts and consciences and become their own god, and the doctor, who thinks he himself is a good man, is revealed to be no better than the condemned man. 4 Stars for that. But I took a star off because the ending was very unsatisfactory! While the doctor now believes in demons, he has yet to find the God he called upon when he was terrified - they could have done SO MUCH MORE with the ending! Also, having learned about his own very serious personal failings, it would have been good to have seen how the knowledge of his own actions had affected his life and his relationships. The lack here was disappointing. Was he remorseful? We don't know! The last scene was unnecessary and pandered to the horror genre and seemed inappropriately comedic more than anything. And the execution scene - where was the chaplain who had promised to be there?

The reviews for this movie are the oddest, I think, I have ever seen. It seems either people love it or hate it yet everyone seems to agree that the performance Sean Patrick Flanery gives is amazing (which I would agree)! I for one, thought the movie was excellent in showing the unseen attacks of evil on people. There are definite similarities to the concepts in C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters". If you've never read THAT book, you should! If you are looking for your typical gory, demon possesion horror movie, this isn't the movie for you. It's much more of a psychological thriller like "Primal Fear". I would definitely adhere to the "R" rating. There are several intense scenes in it that would probably bother anyone under the age of 18.