The
Devil’s Doorway
2019
Director- Aislinn Clarke
Cast- Lalor Roddy, Helena Bereen, Lauren Coe, Ciaran
Flynn, Dearbhail Lynch, Carleen Melaugh
From Northern Ireland
Fair
warning, this is a “found footage” film, so if you don’t like that particular sub-genre,
you may not like this movie. Although I’m one of only three living people that
didn’t think that The Blair Witch Project was the best thing since sliced
bread, I do see the virtues of this type of film.
Catholic
priests, Fathers Thomas and John are sent to a Magdalene Laundry to investigate
a reported miracle. If you’re not familiar with the term, a Magdalene Laundry
was a “home” for “fallen women”, that is women that had fallen from grace
through sexual acts such as prostitutes and un-wed mothers. These were popular in Ireland from the 18th
through the 20th centuries, the last one not closing until 1996.
Whatever the original intent was, the end result was that these “homes” became
sources of free labor where society’s unwanted women were hidden away and
forgotten.
The
miracle being investigated is the report of a statue of The Virgin Mary
bleeding from its eyes. Father John (Ciaran Flynn) is young and
idealistic and believes very much that what has happened is a sign from God.
Father Thomas (Lalor Roddy), on the other hand, is old and cynical and seen his
fair share of hoaxes. Whatever has been happening, he’s pretty sure it’s not
divine intervention.
The
Fathers quickly find a culture of abuse and isolation overseen by the cruel Mother
Superior (Helena Bereen). She has nothing but scorn for the priests who are
snooping around in her territory and don’t respect her authority. Finally the
priests find a dirty little secret hidden away in the basement; a pregnant girl
(Lauren
Coe) is chained to the wall. The Mother Superior says that the girl is insane
and has to be in shackles for everyone’s safety. The priests have her unchained
and examine her. Various supernatural phenomenon occur and there is mounting
evidence, despite Father Thomas’ doubts, that the girl is possessed. I want say
more than that because I don’t to spoil anything for you.
The
Devil’s Doorway has all the typical conventions of the found footage genre; shaky
cameras, things barely seen for a second or seen out of focus, strange sounds occurring
off-camera. However, two things elevate this film above other similar films.
First the director seems to have some skill in telling a story and she doesn’t
rely on cheap jump scares. Second the acting is solid, especially between the
films protagonist and antagonist. Lalor Roddy gives us a very believable Father
Thomas who seems weary and philosophical. Helena Bereen’s Mother Superior is a hissable
villain who drips contempt.
If you
like this film, or this genre, you might want to pair it with The Devil inside,
another found footage film with a similar subject.
No comments:
Post a Comment