Directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly. Written by Gass-Donnelly and Damien Chazelle. Starring Ashley Bell, Spencer Treat Clark, Julia Garner, Louis Herthum, David Jensen, Joe Chrest and Muse Watson.
Plot: Nell is now trying to lead a new and normal life after the events of the first movie, but of course, the devil won’t let her alone.
In New Orleans, Nell (Bell), all innocent and cute, starts her life over. She is living in a girl’s home, run by Frank (Watson), and working at a hotel as a maid. You really feel for her too, or at least we did. It drew us right into the movie. We wanted to see her succeed, she was trying so hard. She had new friends and she even had a love interest, Chris (Clark). It was building up such a pleasant story in the beginning and then the second half turned into a crapfest just like the original movie.
Abalam, the same demon from the first film, is back and apparently in love with Nell. And all the people around her – girls, boys, co-workers, housemates, doctors, nurses, pastors, chickens – have to deal with the demon, too, cause that’s just the unfair way demons are. However, who is this demon? Why does he want Nell so bad? This aspect of the story is left undeveloped and because of that, we feel that a crucial element is missing.
The high point of the movie is clearly the acting. Everyone was completely believable in their roles. The effects were also shockingly good. It’s a shame everything else was shit. It was a tired story with an invincible demon. Abalam isn’t phased by voodoo or Catholicism and we call bullshit. Demons are a part of most religious idealogies, therefore religious symbols and ceremonies should at least be able to scare the demon, if not kill it altogether. But in this movie, none of it works. It doesn’t make sense. We’re giving it a crap score.
The movie is also very sexual without actually showing any sex. And DO NOT get attached to anyone in Nell’s life. Me and DJ really, really liked someone in this film and then they were killed. It was, honestly, the last straw for us. We watched the rest of it, but only to give it a fair score. We were angry though and then the end happened and it just made our heads hurt even more. Watch this at your own risk.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
View all posts by TaraRomero
BLOOD RED REVIEWS 