Unholy Song comes to us in a long line of exorcism horror films. However, unlike most of the films you may be familiar with, this one is based on an actual exorcism as is recorded in the Bible. Christians may be familiar with the Miracle of the Gerasene Demoniac, a story in which Jesus casts a demon into a group of pigs before sending them to their death.
While the connection between the Bible story and this film is somewhat thin, it is still interesting to see a horror film based on a biblical event. Now, before we get too far into this, it is important to note that Unholy Song is a micro budget film and comes with the natural consequences of a limited budget.
However, I feel as though the film did fairly well in dealing with its limitations. Director Arthur G. Night (Psychopomp) does a good job of presenting the story while Eric Parkinson (The Riot Act) and Jessica Chaves (Echoes of Dreams) do well as our chaotic priest and leading actress.
Unholy Song Review
The film begins in an intriguing enough manner with an isolated man spraying some sort of elixir on a hand rising out of the ground. As the film continues, it explains that a mysterious tape recorder befalls terrible misfortune to whoever is foolish enough to play it. I won’t spoil too much for you here as Unholy Song will be released in limited theaters starting on February 28th, 2025. Instead, let’s focus on what the film did well and not so well.
First, the film has a unique, if somewhat confusing story that provides some interesting twists along the way. The cinematography is good for the film’s budget and the acting is well done throughout. However, due to the film’s monetary limitations, some of the acting feels stilted due to the sound quality.
However, even with the obvious limitations placed on the film, it still offers some unique interactions. There is a scene in the film in which a demon pulls a gun on a catholic priest. Say what you will about the film but I don’t believe I have ever seen that done in an exorcism before.
Is Unholy Song going to scare the life out of you? Probably not. However, if you are a horror fan who appreciates indie filmmakers, go check out Unholy Song on February 28th, 2025. After all, these are the creators who provide the unique visions that continue to drive horror forward.
