Dark Exorcism

Spoilers ahead! Sorry, can't be avoided!Dark Exorcism...I like it! Grace Folsom (Bethany) is awesome in this film. Casting her was a phenomenal choice and whoever made that call should be given a fat raise. Her look is attractive and distinctive in the "I'm human" scenes and her look works fantastically in the "I'm a awesome little demon" scenes. Grace played that part so well, that if she tempted me in the basement, I'd have consider it because she would turn me on and scare the hell out of me at the same time. If that ain't love I don't know what is. Key parts of her possession script were hilarious too. That's the funny thing about demon spawn in the better possession films, they always seem to have great senses of humor especially when describing the oxymoron of human intelligence, human nature in general, an eternity in darkness, soul torment, incest, child rape, murder, suicide and damnation. Bethany was so much more interesting as a demon I'm not so sure if I'd want her normal again. Of course, I would ask if there was something that could be done about the bad skin and the yellow teeth. I love the eyes and the voice though.The rest of the cast were pretty good with the exception of Jesse R. Tendler (Buckley) He was annoying and I was glad his screen time was limited. Fiona Horrigan (Lois) was good until the end (I'll get to that). Katherine Cobb Ryan (Joan) did her part and Lynn Justinger (Veronica) wasn't that good when she was the skeptic/atheist letting out her inner Scully but learned quickly when she was in the basement with (demon) Bethany.The problems I had with Dark Exorcism started with the actual exorcism. There is no way that Lois should have attempted that with a non-believer atheist. That made absolutely no sense especially when she specifically said their faith was going to see them through more than the blessed medallion she carried or her cross. How does that work when half your team has no faith at all? The demon told Veronica to her face that she had no right to be there as a non-believer. The fact that Lois didn't even consider getting a priest is suspect. If memory serves, she wasn't ordained. The actual exorcism was far too short considering the demon remembered Lois from the last exorcism she was in and how the process was completed wasn't that impressive. The ending sucked. I was really hoping the director/writer would stick the landing but the special effects to illustrate the demon being forced out of Bethany was lame and the scene with the baby at the very end could have been so much better in so many ways. That's why I'm giving Dark Exorcism 4* instead of 5*.The Exorcist is still the best film of this type in my opinion, but Dark Exorcism is one of my favorites now mainly because of Grace Folsom. Similar to how Linda Blair totally makes The Exorcist the classic that it is but more impressive because she was so young when she played that role.

Seriously? I do not know what other movie the other raters watched but the one I did was bad... and not campy bad but just really bad. Bad acting of the mother and the assistant was a constant, thought I think the Professor was a believable drunk because I think she actually was most of the time. The possessed chick was actually really good. Maybe that is where the others are getting their opinions from. She was actually really convincing with all the little quirky facial expressions and mannerisms that really sold the character. Yet the rest is such a train wreck that it cannot be saved. Since when do men with red beards have blacks hair with so grey mixed in by the way (the boyfriend... urgh another bad actor).Save yourself the time and watch something rated a bit higher on IMDB... maybe the original Exorcist or the new Exorcist show (really good!). I would like to see the chick who played the possessed girl in something else though. I really would.

I found the extended dialogues by the demon to be thought-provoking, even sometimes profound, but the special effects were ridiculous, as is the case in most movies about exorcisms. I was very disappointed with the ending, but I won't give any details so as to avoid spoilers. Is it worth watching? Yes. Would I watch it again? Yes. Just don't expect any originality beyond the brilliant dialogues of the demon because just about everything else in this movie is standard fare for this genre.

I wish 4.5 stars were an option, because I think this film is a 9 on a scale of 1-10.The acting is spot on, as are the stage settings, and the special effects are solid -- neither overwhelming the tale nor feeling hokey. The story arc proceeds well, with a couple of nicely planted details that ensure viewer engagement.My only criticism is that while overall dialog is great, with no gaps or forced lines, the demon dialog at times feels a bit too long and too colloquial.I think any poor reviews are likely comparing this film to their memories of The Exorcist, and that if they rewatch the Exorcist they might find their memories of that film slightly exaggerated.Overall, this is well worth watching, after dark, with a friend, not alone.