Director: Robert Conway
Writer: Robert Conway, Owen Conway, Christopher R Smith (Screenplay)
Starring: Monica Engesser, Owen Conway, Clint James, Sanford Gibbons, Maria Olsen, Shawn Saaverdra, Richard Lippett
Plot: After the tragic deaths of her husband and daughter, Sarah Doyle moves back to her childhood home with her estranged brother, Richard. It’s not long before Sarah begins to experience supernatural phenomena of a violent and hostile nature. Bewildered and desperate, Richard enlists the aid of a paranormal investigator who confirms that Sarah has become possessed by a powerful demon. Together, the three men will go to battle to save Sarah’s soul.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Possession Film Done Right
Story: The Covenant starts as Sarah Doyle (Engesser) buries her daughter with her husband blaming her before killing himself. Needing to start a new life she moves back home with her brother Richard (Conway) after years of no communication between the two.
While Sarah still grieves in her own way it leaves the doors open for a supernatural spirit to enters her leading Richard to search for help with Father James Burk (Gibbons) being the first option, but when he can’t help he sends Father Francis Campbell (James) to help with the possession she is facing.
Thoughts on The Covenant
Story – The story shows how grieving person can become an easy victim for an evil spirit. The story keeps us guessing because we get different characters getting ideas of what is happening which gives us plenty of reasons to stay invested in what could be happening with the outcome of this story I did like this over most possession films which I will be honest are not my favorite sub-genre of horror but this one puts everything together to work staying shocking and entertaining throughout.
Horror – When it comes to the horror you have the possession side of the story being shocking in places with the blood and gore coming through very strong when needed to add to the shock value. There may well be a few easy scares going on in this film but they all work out well for us the audience.
Characters/Performance – The characters are the usual victims for the possession genre of film with the emotional broken women becoming possessed with the caring loved one this time brother looking for answers, we also have the one priest that is too scared while the one who battles the evil is not scared of anything he battles. The performances are all strong in their own way with Engesser as the victim giving a strong horror performance.
Settings – The film is most set within the house which shows that the spirit has found its own home that is meant to be a family home that never had the terror when they were young. While the house isn’t used for any pivotal scenes it keeps everything together for the shock and horror in the story.
Special Effects – The special effects all come off great in this film showing us the quality use in make up to make each scene feel shocking throughout.
Final Thoughts – Strong possession film that is one of the first I have enjoyed for a while that is shocking, bloody and horrific all mixed together.
Overall: Easily one of the better possession films in recent years.
Rating
