Evangeline Changes Shape and Tone Too Many Times: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by Uncork'd Entertainment.

Director/writer: Karen Lam.

Cast: Kat de Lieva, Richard Harmon, Mayumi Yoshida, David Lewis David Lewis and Kelvin Redvers.

Evangeline is a revenge tale, from director Karen Lam. This title was completed in 2013, toured festivals and now, the film is set to release on home video formats. Though, this is one release that might best be forgotten. An homage to Alex Proyas' The Crow (1994), Evangeline is more rock video than a true film. Lam's storytelling style brings lots of characters to the screen, none of whom are really developed. Even the protagonist is shallow and mute, through much of the film. As well, so many ideas are introduced into the story, that Evangeline staggers all over the place. Only the visual style, which is often dark and moody, is consistent and well produced. Almost all other film elements are incongruous, leaving the film ineffective in delivering a focused message.

The story, such as it is, can be best summed up as a revenge thriller. Though, there are elements of fantasy here, along with arthouse influences. Surreal in story, Evangeline takes up residence in a new college. Instead of studying, Evangeline is more interested in boozing it up and seducing the local skinny Edward (Twilight) look-alike. Her plans of a sexy time are replaced by a beating as most of the college male students are revealed to be psychopaths and murderers. She is left to die in the woods, after a strange game of hide-and-go-seek. Then, Evangeline is rescued by hunters, only to fall into the hands of a serial killer. All of these bizarre situations and malevolent characters create for a very unbelievable film viewing experience.

Actress Kat de Lieva plays the very lost Evangeline.

Evangeline lifts several scenes and situations from an earlier film, The Crow. Evangeline plays Eric Draven. After the quintessential rape and attempted murder scene, Evangeline is okayed to lay waste to the male cast. In an early scene, a young, female child offers some obfuscating dialogue to intro the film, much like Sarah did in this earlier film. This voice also outroduces the film, much like The Crow, with more dialogue from a Sarah-like character. As well, Evangeline sports make-up that is very much lifted from The Crow. Her eyes are darkened and her face is paled. Though, the make-up appears and disappears across scenes, causing continuity errors. Even the dark moody atmosphere of this 1994 film is replicated in Lam's early film. Though, the earlier film is much better delivered in story and production.

This film viewer only enjoyed the dark visual style, from the film. Very dark in setting, Evangeline manages to offer the visual tone of a horror film. Also, scenes are often bloody as Evangeline uses a knife to kill many of the male characters. Lam also utilizes many night scenes, to keep the visual sphere subdued. The darkness adds in a note of mystery and tension. But, this is the only film element that was almost consistent. Still, even visual elements are almost lifted from a rock video, with fantasy elements breaking up the film's reality. More consistency in the visual tone could have helped anchor the film in some sort of visual reality.

Overall, Evangeline comes across as very fractured in story and characters. Simply, there are too many characters in the film. None of the characters are given very much attention and most of the characters are shallow, or at least flat. The protagonist never steps out of cliche. She is a shy college student in some scenes and an outgoing party girl in others. The film's central character is all over-the-board. In later scenes, Evangeline changes again, this time into a brutal, but mute murderess. And, this pivotal character shows no penchant for insight. Why did the men target her? How has she managed to turn into such a brutal killer? Meanwhile, the story devolves into a girls versus boys storyline, with the male characters bearing the brunt of the violence. The male characters may be done away with, but what is left is nothingness. The conclusion is not even worth disseminating, with so many inconsistencies appearing along the way.

Evangeline is coming to the home entertainment markets shortly and most indie, horror fans will want to bypass this release. Too crammed full of ideas and characters, Evangeline plays out like an extended rock video in style and genre. Lam lifts much of her revenge storyline from The Crow. Though, this adaptation lacks a unifying focus. Characters are undeveloped and the film's central reality drifts in and out. Evangeline needed more structure and focus and fewer characters and ideas. In the end, Evangeline fails to impress, even with a dark and moody horror atmosphere.

Overall: 6 out of 10.

A trailer for the film is hosted here:

An Evangeline Trailer on 28DLA


Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: 2015,characterizations,horror movie review,independent,indie,movie,movie review,preview,revenge,revenge horror movie review,review,story