“Be careful what you wish for. But be certain what you pray for.” Frederic prays for his penance — possibly rashly, it turns out. This first feature from director-actor-writer Mark O’Brien is a dark chiller about a burdened man who feels the wrath of a vengeful God, after he and his wife are visited by… All is not black and white in new trailer for The Righteous Read More
Saint Maud: sex and death and God and souls
You prayed for spoilers and here they are. Very spoilery about Saint Maud and its shocking ending. Religion, sex and death is one of the ultimate horror threesomes, and Saint Maud brings them together in a devastating exploration of the effects of one woman’s breakdown. “No one sees what they don’t want to,” says the… Saint Maud: sex and death and God and souls Read More
Saint Maud 4 stars
Religious convert Maud starts work as a live-in nurse at the home of Amanda, a famous dancer now frail from illness and trapped in her grand, isolated house. We know exactly what the friendless, fervently religious Maud thinks, because she chats to God all the time to assuage her loneliness. Her (to us) one-sided discussions… Saint Maud Read More
Say Your Prayers: Blessed are the filmmakers…
Note: this is spoilery, though I can’t help you with the biggest question of all – is there a God? And if so where does She buy her bras? Say Your Prayers (my review is here) is small-scale and very self-contained, though it’s remarkably effective. Like a doorstep proselytiser you thought you’d got rid if,… Say Your Prayers: Blessed are the filmmakers… Read More
Hail Satan trailer looks so wicked, it’ll make you Beelze-blub with laughter
These American Satanists are fighting injustice – which feels quite Jesus-like, but what do I know? I’m Church of England where belief in God is often seen as something of a hindrance. This documentary looks like a hoot, though Satan probably wants us to think that. I’m looking forward to the soundtrack too. Doesn’t the… Hail Satan trailer looks so wicked, it’ll make you Beelze-blub with laughter Read More
Pulsar (Short Film) Short Film 3.5 stars
Jonah (David Gyasi), an intergalactic peacekeeper, has refused his latest assignment – to help the people of the warlike planet Ninevah, which is under threat. Yes this is a retelling of the Bible story Jonah And The Whale, in which Jonah refused God’s instruction to take his message to the godless city of Ninevah and… Pulsar (Short Film) Read More
Annihilation 4.5 stars
If there had been a pub in the deserted Area X zone where the all-women group of scientists is sent on a reconnaissance mission, I could have begun this review with “a biologist, a paramedic, a physicist, a psychologist and a geologist turn into a bar…” Annihilation gets under your skin, and leaves lots of unanswered… Annihilation Read More
Constantine 4 stars
I’m struck by the similarities between demon hunter John Constantine and John Wick, Keanu Reeves’ decade-later, career-rejuvenating film. In fact Constantine could almost be an occult prequel, John Wick: Book of Revelation. What is an exorcist if not a religious hitman? And Papa Midnite’s bar, drowning in red light, with rules of neutrality so no… Constantine Read More