Film Reviews

Drag Me To Hell

• Rating:
• Director: Sam Raimi
• Starring: Alison Lohman
• Details: US/98mins(15A)

Before Sam Raimi spun a blockbuster web with the mega-successful Spiderman series, he was most well known for the cult horror trilogy, The Evil Dead. Those films were hugely energetic escapades that showed a director with a well-honed sense of humour, and a fantastic grasp of the macabre. Drag Me To Hell is essentially Raimi returning to his roots, letting his hair down, and probably having the most fun he's had in years. This is old school horror, where sound design and pacing are imperative to proceedings, and more importantly, to scaring the crap out of the audience.
Ambitious loan officer Christine has her eye on the assistant manager's job in the bank where she works. But her boss thinks that she may be a little too soft, so when an old lady comes in asking for a third extension on her home, Christine refuses, and subsequently has a curse placed on her by the satanically-versed coffin dodger. She must then figure out a way of removing the curse, and saving her soul from a trip south, where she'd otherwise burn for eternity.
This is all, of course, incredibly silly; but Raimi has shown a deft hand at dealing with such material before, and the plot is handled very much with its tongue pressed against its cheek. Christine, despite having the demeanour of someone who is sweet and kind, is really not that likeable; which was a smart move by Raimi, as it subverts the film in a way that you might not be rooting for the protagonist, yet still interested in her plight. Lohman does a fine job of playing terrified but determined, and actually manages more than a few laughs in the process. This is her first real headlining role, and she carries the movie well.
Sure, there are faults; most of the supporting players serve little purpose other than to push the plot forward, and at points Raimi does slightly indulge himself with the jarring sounds, and visual demonic inserts. But, in fairness, that is part of his frantic directorial style, that was obviously subdued for his last three films. Drag Me To Hell is the kind of horror film you thought they didn't make anymore, and is all the more enjoyable for it.

Review by Mike Sheridan