There's something to be said for a horror movie that doesn't rely on CGI. True fright often doesn't come in the form of fake blood or a manipulative score, but through doubt and plain old dread. Without special effects, "The Last Exorcism" depends heavily on the latter. The result is a film that, while thought-provoking and fairly realistic, isn't quite worth the price of admission.
Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) is the Harold Hill of evangelical preachers, making a name for himself as a professional exorcist. However, news of a child's death by a well-meaning exorcist leaves him faithless. Cotton agrees to do one more exorcism, to be filmed by a documentary crew: this way, he can alert the masses to the practice's dangers and futility, while earning him money to support a wife and disabled son on no health insurance. Win-win, right? Wrong.
With a largely-unknown cast and authentic Louisiana setting, "The Last Exorcism" is untouched by Hollywood slick. Fabian is equally believable as a con artist and a vulnerable witness to a scheme gone out of control. Providing all voices and contortions, Ashley Bell is magnificent as the possessed teenage girl in question. As well, the film's exploration of the downside of faith will leave audiences pondering long after exiting the theatre.
However, "The Last Exorcism" overpromises and underdelivers. A "twist" ending feels tacked on and unnatural, leaving the audience with more questions than answers. Granted, this can be thought-provoking and satisfying, but here it's just frustrating. What happens in the last thirty seconds almost requires another film to explain, though a true sequel would be impossible.
It's not that "The Last Exorcism" is a bad film, just an unfulfilling one. Think twice before paying overinflated movie house prices. Matinee or rental is definitely the way to go.