The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
September 12, 2021 10:39 AM - Subscribe
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren encounter what would become one of the most sensational cases from their files. The fight for the soul of a young boy takes them beyond anything they'd ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.
Directed by Michael Chaves. Currently available for digital rental in the US on various services.
Directed by Michael Chaves. Currently available for digital rental in the US on various services.
This is the weakest of the three.
As a horror film, I agree. But about 20 minutes into the movie, I started warming up to the idea that what was slowly unfolding before my eyes was not just a poorly written, acted, and directed debacle of a failed horror flick, but also a modern unintentional camp classic on a par with The Room.
It bears a repeat viewing, however, because while specific lines escape me, the overwrought line deliveries are seared into my memory. I have a dim recollection of a series of sepia-toned flashbacks to a romantic meet cute or early-days tryst between our intrepid heroes (played by two younger, not-so-look-alike actors) that would feel right at home in a Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel. As always, the uncanny period stylings (clothing, sets, and hair—my god—the hair!) are a triumph of almost-but-not-quiteness that are equal parts hilarious and vaguely unsettling. And at one point, Ed Warren—who'd been physically debilitated earlier in the film and requires the use of a walking stick—has a clairvoyant vision or is temporarily possessed (or something) and starts walking around without the use of his cane. Then a few minutes later he snaps back to consciousness, but he's still able to move around unassisted. I assumed this was a plot point that was going to prove he was still secretly being possessed by the witch spirit (or whatever) but No—it turns out he just doesn't need to use his cane anymore.
I guess what I'm saying is that the movie entertained me.
posted by Atom Eyes at 4:23 PM on September 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
As a horror film, I agree. But about 20 minutes into the movie, I started warming up to the idea that what was slowly unfolding before my eyes was not just a poorly written, acted, and directed debacle of a failed horror flick, but also a modern unintentional camp classic on a par with The Room.
It bears a repeat viewing, however, because while specific lines escape me, the overwrought line deliveries are seared into my memory. I have a dim recollection of a series of sepia-toned flashbacks to a romantic meet cute or early-days tryst between our intrepid heroes (played by two younger, not-so-look-alike actors) that would feel right at home in a Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel. As always, the uncanny period stylings (clothing, sets, and hair—my god—the hair!) are a triumph of almost-but-not-quiteness that are equal parts hilarious and vaguely unsettling. And at one point, Ed Warren—who'd been physically debilitated earlier in the film and requires the use of a walking stick—has a clairvoyant vision or is temporarily possessed (or something) and starts walking around without the use of his cane. Then a few minutes later he snaps back to consciousness, but he's still able to move around unassisted. I assumed this was a plot point that was going to prove he was still secretly being possessed by the witch spirit (or whatever) but No—it turns out he just doesn't need to use his cane anymore.
I guess what I'm saying is that the movie entertained me.
posted by Atom Eyes at 4:23 PM on September 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also enjoyed the scene where poor, debilitated Ed not only pulls Lorraine to safety at the quarry's edge, but gets a shot from above that shows off how ripped he is and how muscular his ass is.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:21 PM on September 13, 2021
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:21 PM on September 13, 2021
Love conquers all dontcha know. Even the devil himself.
posted by M Edward at 1:44 PM on September 15, 2021
posted by M Edward at 1:44 PM on September 15, 2021
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posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:05 PM on September 12, 2021 [1 favorite]