Connect with us
The Last Exorcism film review
Image: Lionsgate

Film

The Last Exorcism Offers Ample Scares and Twists

God asks. The Devil commands.

31 Days of Horror: The Last Exorcism

In 2010, Eli Roth’s production of The Last Exorcism surprised horror fans as a highly engaging, tension-filled horror film that shocked audiences everywhere.

Troubled Southern evangelist Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) is ashamed of his involvement in fleecing fanatical believers from their money by performing fake exorcisms.  In an effort to ease his conscience and expose the deceptions of exorcisms, he confesses his tricks of the trade to documentary filmmakers – even going so far as inviting them to shoot his last exorcism deep in the heart of Louisiana.  But Cotton’s plans take a turn for the worse when he and his film crew unexpectedly confront a merciless demon hiding behind the soul of an innocent young girl (Ashley Bell).

It’s incredible how terrifying horror films can be when shot in shaky cinema-vérité style using low-tech film equipment.  The raw and unpolished film appearance certainly adds to the creep factor.  This is true for horror canons such as Blair Witch ProjectREC and Paranormal Activity, and it’s true for The Last Exorcism.  Director Daniel Stamm’s documentary-style filmmaking effectively blurs the line between fact and fiction and brings a story that looks so authentic it’s unnerving.

The Last Exorcism (2010)
Image: Lionsgate

Like the aforementioned films, The Last Exorcism is shot entirely from the perspective of a handheld camera, which helps elicit audience anxiety when a frantic cameraman struggles to keep the action in frame.  Co-writers Huck Botko and Andrew Gurland put a new spin on a traditional story by having the possessed girl hijack the camera to secretly record her brutal acts of violence against a family pet (The Last Exorcist’s poster should come with a warning label for cat lovers).

The leads, Fabian and Bell, deliver a riveting performance that is sure to garnish them much Hollywood attention.  Fabian plays the preacher with so much gusto and charm, you instantly like him – forgetting that his character is after all a hypocritical con artist.  Bell is sensational as the possessed Nell Sweetzer; her ability to seamlessly transform from a sweet farm girl into a mischievous demon is thrilling.  Even more impressive is that Bell portrays the demon without any make-up or CGI. The Last Exorcism offers ample scares and twists; horror fans will be rejoicing in theatre aisles.

Nigel Hamid

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published under our old brand, Sound On Sight.

Now Streaming

Written By

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Facebook

Trending

Russell Simmons’s Alleged Rape Victim Accuses Him Of Fleeing To Bali

Celebrity

Grammy Nominations 2025: Beyonce Leads With 11 Nods as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX Are Among Top Nominees

News

Azealia Banks Expresses Pity Over Kim Kardashian’s Intimate Photoshoot With A Tesla Robot

Celebrity

Lamar Odom Takes Heat For Buying A Sex Doll That Resembles Ex-Wife Khloe Kardashian Lamar Odom Takes Heat For Buying A Sex Doll That Resembles Ex-Wife Khloe Kardashian

Lamar Odom Takes Heat For Buying A Sex Doll That Resembles Ex-Wife Khloe Kardashian

Celebrity

‘Paddington in Peru’ Review: A Diverting Threequel Sets a National Treasure on a Treasure Hunt

Film

Lamar Jackson Net Worth: How He Became NFLs Richest QB

Celebrity

Why Pharrell Got Fired from McDonald’s 3 Times

Celebrity

Yellowstone recap: A new wrinkle in John’s murder investigation complicates matters for the Dutton clan

Film

Newlyweds Justin Long and Kate Bosworth to Co-Star in Survival Thriller ‘Coyote’

Film

Bridget Moynahan Net Worth: From Modeling to $25 Million

Celebrity

‘Paradise at Mother’s Feet’ Review: A Trek to Mecca Starts Heading in the Wrong Direction

Film

Zack Snyder to Direct LAPD Action Thriller at Netflix

Film

King Combs Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To His Mother Kim Porter On Her Death's Anniversary King Combs Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To His Mother Kim Porter On Her Death's Anniversary

King Combs Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To His Mother Kim Porter On Her Death’s Anniversary

Celebrity

Amy Schumer Net Worth: From Comedy to Hollywood Success

Celebrity

Shaboozey, Benson Boone, Doechii, Daniel Nigro and Amy Allen to Be Honored at Variety’s Hitmakers Event; Jack Antonoff Named Producer of the Decade Shaboozey, Benson Boone, Doechii, Daniel Nigro and Amy Allen to Be Honored at Variety’s Hitmakers Event; Jack Antonoff Named Producer of the Decade

Shaboozey, Benson Boone, Doechii, Daniel Nigro and Amy Allen to Be Honored at Variety’s Hitmakers Event; Jack Antonoff Named Producer of the Decade

Culture

Denzel Washington Says ‘Black Panther 3’ Will Be One of His Last Movies Before He Retires; Chadwick Boseman Once Declared: ‘There’s No Black Panther Without Denzel’

Film

Connect