The Last Exorcism (15)

Dir. Daniel Stamm, 86 mins, USA , 2010

Cast. Patrick Fabian, Louis Herthum, Ashley Bell and Caleb Landry Jones

Review by Michelle Moore

If you could not adapt to the hand held documentary camera styles of The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, then The Last Exorcism is already bad news.

The majority of films focusing on exorcisms in the past have looked at the possessed individual and how they gradually get more active. But this film centres on Reverend Cotton Marcus (Fabian), a man raised in a very religious household, who has recently lost belief in his work and the charade it demands he play out. In his last act as a man of God, he invites an unseen film crew to follow him (hence the documentary look) as he heads for rural Louisiana to help the family of a young girl, Nell. In the process, he hopes to unveil the truth and the tricks of the trade behind so-called exorcisms. But what appears to be just like any other exorcism for the Reverend makes him realise that he may need his faith after all.

This film is incredibly slow paced. Most of the running time is spent introducing the Reverend, and following his initial meeting with the family as they discuss the possession and the intended exorcism. It examines how exorcisms are faked and makes clear that all the child and family really need is spiritual guidance. The apparent demon is within the psyche of the individual rather than an actual possession. Even when Nell doesn't recover from the exorcism and Reverend Marcus gets a little concerned, the development of the narrative doesn't speed up. By the time the young girl does start to act a little out of the ordinary, you are half asleep and begging for a few good jumpy bits.

There are occasional moments which make you elevate from your chair, but they are far apart. The film relies solely on suspense to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Scares are left to threatening silhouettes, sound effects and darkened rooms. Everything is quiet and Nell nowhere to be seen. You wonder whether she is going to pounce on the camera… but she doesn't. Although some suspense is expected, to rely on so heavily on this technique and then fail to deliver on so many occasions is disappointing.

The last twenty minutes, when Nell apparently shows her inner demon, are the most engaging. The last scene in particular is worthy of screwed up eyes and the occasional startle as you squirm in your chair. But, although the ending is unexpected, it seems out of place and rather futile.

In the end, although The Last Exorcism features an exorcism, no one is actually possessed. There's just a town full of crazy folk, some devil worship and a terrified TV crew running for their lives. If it is an evening of scares and spookiness you're after, you won't find it here.