Deliver Us from Evil

As the lightning struck a lone tree by the roadside, I began to suspect where the director's path would lead. This is because Derrickson's undoubted talent was given a financial infusion and bigger-name actors, but in doing so, he signed up for the Bruckheimerian devil that relies on clichés and plot banalities in the plot. In fact, it’s not really pulled off even by the few skillfully-conceived scary scenes and instead makes you lament how dysfunctional the chemistry between the characters is. This makes it subjectively about half an hour longer, and slightly more excruciating in the end than the filmmakers intended. (07/11/2014)

Well done! A horror film that is watchable and enjoyable, unlike all that weird mainstream stuff. The film builds on a good story and cast and is filled with a perfectly grim atmosphere from the start. I was going to give it five stars, but I was put off by the ending. From the rescue of the wife and daughter until the closing credits, it turned into a very unpleasant surprise and even disappointment. The screenwriter is not to blame, he couldn't have come up with a different ending, as the film was based on true events... (10/08/2016)

The elements of ghost horror movies set in an A-rated thriller a la Se7en – a tough cop with a flashlight finds his way through the darkness. The script is not exactly inventive, but the craftsmanship is perfect. Scott Derrickson knows what he’s doing. The main character is not a one-dimensional good guy; he has his own skeleton in the closet he has to deal with. The atypical priest becomes an important sidekick. The film is aided by its fast pace, the hellish make-up of the main bad guy (Sean Harris, who plays him, also deserves praise) and the instrumentally varied music by Christopher Young, which is monumental bordering on frightening. The slow start escalates into an intense horror experience. The use of music by The Doors is strange, but it gives the film a certain cool feel and individuality. “Vengeance always destroys the avenger.” (07/08/2014)

A decent exorcist thriller that puts its money on a realistic environment. No shortage of surprises - and they work pretty well, even though nothing absolutely amazing and, if it wasn’t for the fairly standard story, I would definitely give it four stars. The clash in the finale was intense, thrilling and breathtaking. Derrickson has a talent at creating a great atmosphere, Dr. Strange is in good hands. (28/10/2014)

If it weren’t for the authors pushing the horror elements, I’d even rate it with all five stars. But not only were the occasional jump-scares cheesy, they were also pointless. They were just there to try and create a distinguished atmosphere that the movie already had without them. And that was mostly due to the great combination of story and atmosphere which was definitely inspired by the legendary movie Seven. But after I watched the movie, I was shocked by the fact that it was – once again – based on true events. I can’t help but think that I haven’t seen a familiar story in the news or heard someone speak about a similar experience. It’s always introduced by these sorts of horrors that try to assure us that all that exorcism is based on true events. Isn’t the actual truth going to be a little different? Or maybe it’s a ploy to support the Church? And Eric Bana was great in this, but the authors could have done without the final scene. (15/07/2014)