Oh, to be a teenager again. Going to parties, hanging with friends, playing video games with my brother, getting possessed by the devil, go swimming. What? The devil doesn’t possess everyone when they’re a teenager?! I knew my mom was a liar. OK, maybe I have never been possessed by the devil, but in Manuel Carballo’s “Excorcismus,” Emma has a lot more to deal with than the normal teenager.
Emma (Sophie Vavasseur) is just a normal teenage girl with normal problems. She has been home-schooled all of her life and yearns to have a little freedom. Emma’s parents, John (Richard Felix) and Lucy (Jo-Anne Stockham), are firm in their belief that they know what’s best for their kids and if they don’t like it, then tough cookies. Feeling her parents are being overbearing, as we all do, Emma rebels, but unfortunately, after a night of partying, Emma has a guest who isn’t ready to go home. After a seizure with no medical explanations, Emma only gets worse and seeks out the help of her uncle, Father Christopher (Stephen Billington), for help.
The movie starts off pretty strong. A distraught Emma walks into the bathroom and quickly smashes a mirror. She grabs a shard of glass and runs it across her hand. It is at this moment that I, as the viewer, felt for this girl. What made this girl so upset that she has to cut herself? This opening scene sets the tone for the movie and the idea Carballo is attempting to do something differently than most exorcism films; he is going to get the viewer to relate to Emma and ultimately make you more terrified by her situation.
The above-par acting ultimately sells the film. Vavasseur brings something to her character that is hard to do in films about teens: She makes Emma likeable. Granted, teenagers are angsty, whiny creatures no one likes to be around, and it would be really easy for an actor to overplay it, but you really feel for Emma, especially when she isn't herself and is about to do something. You can see it her eyes that she is trying to fight it.
There is also one horrifying scene where the demon inside her takes over and cries out to Emma’s dad. This is another instance where Vavasseur really brings it home because previous possessions have definitely been portrayed over-the-top and come off as silly. As possessed kids go, Vavasseur is actually up there with Miss Blair — very malicious and creepy.
Felix and Stockham are also good as Emma’s parents. Stockham plays the overbearing mother well while Felix is the softer parent of the two. Billington is the only one that came off a bit over the top.
I don’t want to give the ending away, but I recently read a review of the movie and it boasted that Carballo added something new to the genre. I was skeptical of this statement, but after seeing the film, I would definitely have to agree.
The movie definitely isn't without its flaws. While the acting and the tone are well-crafted, pacing slows the movie down just a little. There are probably a good 15 minutes that could be cut to accelerate the pace. I am definitely an advocate of characterization, but there are times where viewers are given too much information.
“Excorcismus” is a good but flawed entry into the possession genre with a fresh new twist. If you’re a fan of the possession genre, then you’re in for a real treat with Carballo’s latest.
The special features are unfortunately sparse. We’re only treated to a making-of and the trailer. This must be the work of he that shall not be named. No, not Voldemort.
Film:3.5 Yaps Extras: 1.5 Yaps