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REVIEW: ‘The Crucifixion’ is an Effective Paranormal Mystery

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Bound, gagged and tied to a cross, sister Adelina was found dead, malnourished and dehydrated in the bucolic village of Tanacu, Romania.

The real-life mystery surrounding the nun’s death was highly publicized, inspiring another film Beyond the Hills in 2013. It is also the subject of Lionsgate’s new effective horror mystery The Crucifixion.

The names have been changed in this update and of course, certain supernatural liberties have been taken to portray what happened to sister Adelina, but the outcome is both entertaining and well-crafted.

Young American reporter Nicole Rawlins (Sophie Cookson) is intrepid indeed. Upon hearing of the nun’s murder she implores her editor to allow her to travel to the Romanian outback in order to find out why Father Anton would crucify a member of his own parish.

After some convincing, her pitch is approved and off she goes to the foreign hillside to develop her story.

But this is no ordinary story. Villagers are not exactly welcoming to her as she meets with clergy who deny that father Anton was performing an exorcism on sister Adeline; he was just plain crazy.

This fits into agnostic Nicole’s initial hypothesis, but as she investigates further these beliefs begin to unravel.

Amid the gorgeously photographed landscape and centuries-old buildings, Nicole meets faith leaders in the village, but they offer no confirmation about the nature of the exorcism, her only lead, in the beginning, is in meeting with the killer priest, Father Anton, himself.

Of course, Anton not only justifies his acts but notices that Nicole is struggling with her own faith which may put her in danger too.

He explains the demon escaped before he had time to finish the ritual and is currently looking for its next host by way of transference, Nicole being just vulnerable enough to serve that role.

The Crucifixion concentrates on the supernatural side of things forgoing father Anton’s phycological state and that of the victim who in the real case was accused of suffering from schizophrenia, her death a result of a violent episode.

The reporter’s second insight comes from Adelina’s friend and roommate Vaduva (Brittany Ashworth) who was alongside her during some unsettling and unexplained phenomena which drove a wedge between them.

Nicole begins to change during her investigation too, seeing visions, having sexual dreams about the handsome hirsute priest and struggling to drink wine because flies keep drowning in her glass.

Doors open and close by themselves, candles extinguish by invisible breath, and suddenly Nicole’s backstory comes into focus as we discover the real reason she has lost her faith, and perhaps the motivation behind her news piece.

"The Crucifixion" a smart entry into the demonic possession genre.

That revelation puts her at a compromise and is the perfect entry point for the demon. Nicole is being stalked by it, exhibiting the first of four signs in the playbook of demonic possession.

As a mystery The Crucifixion moves along at a steady pace, new clues are discovered but the real answers remain hidden until an “in-case-you-missed-it” recap that preps you for the denouement.

Up until that point, the film keeps things mysterious, atmospheric and thought-provoking throughout, with the final 30-minutes packing an incorporeal wallop.

Director Xavier Gens isn’t objective in his treatment of the story, neither is the script. And for that reason, the tale unfolds toward a predictable end.

But this cerebral and entertaining film begins with scattered parts of a puzzle and through its assembly gives the final piece more weight and therefore a satisfying conclusion. That is in part thanks to the leading lady who treats the material with a heavy hand and developed acting chops.

Sophie Cookson is wonderful as the unobjective journalist who breaks laws, disregards religious sanctity to pursue her story at any cost. Her acting here is the perfect blend of scorn against faith and her coup against God.

By the end of The Crucifixion, viewers may discover they have seen it all before. But with its gorgeous and foreboding location, wonderful acting and an effective supernatural potboiler mystery, they probably won’t see this side of it done better anywhere else.

The Crucifixion will hit theaters and On Demand October 6, 2017.

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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