Film Reviews

The Last Exorcism

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• Details: US/86mins 15A

Approaching a sub-genre of horror, now etched into the subconscious of many who haven't even seen The Exorcist, in an innovative and refreshing manner, this sharp, well acted thriller is slow but engaging. Those that have watched the trailer and TV clips may be expecting something altogether more horrific, as the majority of the running time is spent establishing the lead character of exorcist and preacher, Cotton Marcus. It's a good thing then that Patrick Fabian is so good, because you're on his side, despite him admitting early on that he's essentially a fraud.
Fabian's Marcus was a prodigy preacher as a kid; his father groomed him from a young age to get up at church and wow the assembled masses with his word of the Lord. But time has made him cynical, and although he questions the existence of God, he still preaches because it pays the bills. When a documentary crew begin filming him, he opens a random letter from a desperate father, claiming his daughter is possessed and in need of an exorcism. Making it clear that he doesn't believe that to be the case, he nonetheless justifies the exorcism as a way of heeding what he believes to be the girl's psychological problems. But the more time Marcus and the crew spend there, the more embroiled they become in this family's predicament.
While the approach here may be one we've seen before in The Blair Witch Project and, more recently, Paranormal Activity, it's the time and care helmer Stamm and the writers spend with Fabian and co. before things kick off that makes it worthwhile. The aim here for the most part seems to be realism, and while that might not necessarily be the case for its entirety, so much good will is built up before things abruptly kick off that you're on board for whatever direction it takes.
At the centre of the film is little-known TV actor Patrick Fabian, who gives a wonderfully natural and charismatic turn. The movie revolves around him, and he's cocky, believable and troubled whenever applicable. What he's doing may evoke a moral dilemma, but with a lesser actor it could easily have been one note, resulting in the collapse of the entire set-up. Ashley Bell is also excellent, if obviously nowhere near sixteen.
There may not be enough scares for some, and the ending will certainly have its detractors, but this subtle, character-driven thriller does what so many films of its genre have failed to do before - make it feel real, not just about the 'frights'. Well worth checking out.

Review by Mike Sheridan