Director: Tripp Weathers
Writer: Tripp Weathers (Screenplay)
Starring: Braxton Davis, Michael Filipowich, Sicily Fontaine, Kate Tumanova, William McKinney
Plot: Damon Richter thought he left the world of possessions, exorcisms, and evil behind until an old friend arrives with frightening information about his estranged daughter knowing that only his otherworldly skills can save her.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Brand New Look at the Exorcism Movie
Story: American Exorcism starts as we meet Damon (Filipowich) a possessed father of one that uses his possession to fight other possessions for Father Padre (McKinney) but as his daughter is growing his wife Janelle (Morris) pushes him to leave that world behind him but his own personal tragedy gives him a reason to leave.
10 years later, Damon forced to leave Caroline (Tumanova) to go through the foster system but with her 18th birthday coming up Padre returns to Damon since the tragedy to work together to make sure she doesn’t possess the same inner demons her father does.
Damon must use his abilities to save his daughter from the same demon that took his wife from him before she finds herself killing too many people.
Thoughts on American Exorcism
Characters/Performance – Damon is a possessed man who can control the demon that lives inside him, he uses this to fight other demons that have possessed the innocent and now must fight against one that has made it personal. Padre is the former father that worked with Damon before the tragic events but now he has returned to save Damon’s daughter. Caroline is the daughter of Damon who is now becoming possessed but she doesn’t know that Damon is her father.
Performance wise, Michael Filipowich doesn’t have the look of the leading man, he isn’t clean cut and this works for the because it needs an edge, McKinney is good but doesn’t get the time Michael or Kate get. Kate is good in the rebellious possessed daughter.
Story – I can safely say I do find the ABC exorcism movies boring, because they never push the boundaries keeping everything inside one house but this story feels fresh all over. The biggest plus points here are that we have a battle between the demon which isn’t just a priest but a film that does into the darker side of the battle, much like what we have seen from werewolf or vampire movies.
Horror – The horror side of this film is good as we do see a different look at exorcisms but doesn’t come off a true terror.
Settings – I usually like my horror all in one location but this film benefits from going outside the tight surrounds because it makes it feel fresh.
Special Effects – The special effects are consistent through the film, with the first look coming off weak but then it does seem to add to the film in the way the effects are used to show the demons.
Final Thoughts – I did like the fresh approach to the exorcism movie, I know some people will not enjoy this style but it does feel like the first time we have a battle between demons who are possessing bodies rather than good versus evil.
Overall: Great, fresh addition to the exorcism genre.
Rating
