Monday, April 6, 2020

The Devil’s Doorway






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.



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