Religion has always been fertile ground for horror. You are dealing with faith, hope, love, and fear. Many religions hold to strict rules which govern how people live. At this point in cinema it takes a lot to delve into religious secrets and customs that haven’t been covered already, but with “Diabolic” the filmmakers give us a world we haven’t seen before, and one which is very fertile ground.
“Diabolic” follows a young woman looking for answers. Over the course of several months she has begun having blackouts which lead to her acting in ways which are uncharaceristic of her. As these progressively worsen, the woman seeks answers. She discovers that in order to get some of the answers she desperately needs she must reconnect with the fundementalist arm of the Church of Latterday Saints she once belonged to. With their help she hopes to rid herself of her blackouts, and get back a sense of normalcy. Hidden in her past, though, are secrets that will change everything.
Soaked in atmosphere, this is a really fun movie. There is a terrific atmosphere in the film that usese the woods, and an abandoned old church very well. The movie also has really good acting, especially from its lead. She brings a tragic realism to her character, as she struggles with her past as she tries to fix her presents. There is a sense of growing dread that fills the film, and as more and more is revealed, it only deepens. The film does a very good job of creating ample ground for the scares, and it all comes togther well.
The big issue I had with the film is that we’re given a lot of information but the most crucial item, so that it fees like the heart of the film is put on the backburner to all the relationship drama and religious trauma. The movie is good, for sure, but they create a great set-up just to skimp on the big scares. Things don’t really ramp up fully until the last act, and while we are given everything we need, it feels like there could have been more with the heart of the horror. Instead, it feels like, as too many films do, they are hurrying toward the finish and neglecting the build-up.
Saying this, it’s a really creepy movie, with some great scares, that will thrill most watchers.
TL;DR: A religious creeper with a lot of fun scares, but which skimps a little on the heart of the horror.
3.25 out of 5
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17348060
