The Devil Within and Awestruck: A Movie Review

Director: Tom Hardy.

Writer: Matt Dean.

The Devil Within is a straight to DVD release from Seminal Films, which was distributed July 1st. The film was written by Matt Dean and The Devil Within is a paint by numbers slasher film, with some twists along the way, especially at the end. A performance by Bill Oberst Jr. (The Secret Life of Bees) is prominently chilling as Oberst plays a perverted, prayer reciting principal.

The film's story begins with a group of high schoolers preparing for an eighteenth birthday party for one of the cool crowd known as Sirena. The event gets off to an awkward start as the weed has been forgotten by the film's comedic relief. Things liven up with a few keg-stands, but then deteriorate for the party-goers, with one uninvited guest bringing bloodlust and very sharp knives. The finale comes after a great deal of hack and slash, as one character turns inner turmoil and abuse on to others.

Richard Propes from The Independent Critic says of actor Oberst's character: "[he is] a not so closeted pedo' who eerily seems to show up at the weirdest times in the weirdest place." This is very true a principal Edwards preys on prostitutes, flirts with transsexuals and shows up to parties for kids half his age. Oberst displays all of these actions with a demented, vile grin, or a disturbing hairstroke. He seems at ease with the darker side of sexuality, which is often chilling when watched.

The Devil Within sets up an isolated Hollywood locale in the Hills with the already described party. The cast of potential killers will keep viewers guessing until the very end. However, the climax was already known by this reviewer with some unwanted help coming from one of the crew members; you know who you are. The party's host introduces some liquor in to the mix and soon you have an inebriated cast of victims, who are set-up like lambs to the slaughter. Enter stage left of at least one sadistic, yet creative murderer who goes through the cast like a knife through warm butter.

Technically there are no problems with the film and despite a small budget, The Devil Within shows some solid production values. The writing creates for an assorted cast of characters, which will allow viewers to identify with at least one person on screen. As well, the film is suspenseful. You will not be able to tell who the killer is, or where he/she will strike. Also, one can always tell when a film is enjoyable when the film is over in record time.

Horror fans familiar with independent horror filmmaking with likely enjoy this flick. Outperforming a lot of films in the genre, the cast and crew on the film really went the extra mile to provide something interesting, intelligent and worthy of a watch. As writer Propes says: "Tom Hardy and screenwriter Matt Dean have constructed a brutal, entertaining, funny and immensely satisfying film" (Independent). So, rent or buy this one wherever you can find The Devil Within.

Overall: 7 out of 10 (-1 for shortness, -1 for not keeping the creepy principal around longer, and -1 for crashing the killer's party a little too soon).

A review of The Devil Within at The Independent Critic:

The Devil Within Reviewed at the Independent Critic

The film's homepage with trailer:

The Devil Within Official Website

Purchasable:



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Posted in: 2010,bill oberst jr.,cast,crew,horror,matt dean,movie poster,movie review,synopsis,tara cardinal,technical,the devil within,thriller,tom hardy