As a teen in the 70s, my introduction to demonic movies was The Exorcist. Everyone was fascinated with this movie about the demonic possession of a young innocent girl by an evil entity and the fight for her life and her soul. The musical score was hauntingly disturbing and there were more than enough terror-filled and disgusting moments. If you wanted to see a film that would give you bad dreams, The Exorcist filled the bill.
Back in 2007, I wrote about another movie on demonic possession, The Exorcism of Emily Rose. While that movie was much lighter on the gore it also provided plenty of nightmare fodder. Unlike The Exorcist, Emily Rose provided a purpose for the audience with more exposure to the Christian faith and some basic tools for overcoming evil.
This year’s offering is more cerebral in its presentation. Nefarious presents an insight into the workings of a demon’s mind similar to C.S. Lewis’s classic Screwtape Letters. Demons have a simple goal and a basic desire to destroy God’s plans for us and to keep mankind from achieving salvation in heaven.
The Plot
On the day of his execution a convicted murderer, Edward, has a chance to escape his fate if a psychiatrist-for-hire verifies that he is insane. However, Edward is not insane. The entity possessing him enjoys torturing Edward and hopes that he will be painfully executed. He also enjoys toying with the psychiatrist, an atheist with no experience or belief in demonic possession.
Topics explored
If you’ve ever listened to any exorcists talk on podcasts or youtube, you’ll know that one of the first things they do, when they start an exorcism, is learn the demon’s name. Edward’s demon is Nefarious, which is very fitting. Edward is charged with the murder of many people, but it is Nefarious that delights in causing pain and torment and is responsible for all of the killing.
The demon happily talks about how he was able to completely inhabit Edward starting before the age of reason when he was unbaptized. Slowly and patiently over the years, giving Edward simple choices, including via the use of a Quijai board, his possession of Edward eventually became complete.
Some highlights and spoilers
The psychiatrist, Dr. Martin, comes into his interview with Edward as an atheist – a man of science. It is not until the demon reveals all that he knows about Dr. Martin’s life that it becomes clear that this is not just an inmate faking insanity for salvation. By the end of the film, Dr. Martin is at least very open to the possibility.
The demon confronts Dr. Martin with the assisted suicide of his mother, the abortion of his son, and even the issue of execution by the state. The demon confronts and accuses while Dr. Martin is basically unable to handle the intellectual and spiritual assaults.
Was it preachy? Yep. The demon Nefarious, portrayed by Sean Patrick Flannery, does the preaching in a “go-ahead-keep-doing-what-you-want” sort of way.
There were many great moments and quotes, but as a Catholic, it was the presentation of a 70-something post-Vatican II priest that stung the most. Anyone of my vintage knows the type – the free pass to sin and downplaying of evil that has done a lot to damage the church and the culture. The demon fears the priest, until he realizes that this guy has absolutely no idea the priestly power he could use and control to help Edward. Sad but true and probably experienced by many of us over our lifetimes.
A cautionary tale
If anything, this movie should encourage Christians to get those kids baptized and quit messing around with the occult including tarot cards, mediums, and especially Quijae boards.
And as a Catholic, it was a good reminder to offer up our pains and sufferings. Nefarious takes great glee out of physically hurting Edward by breaking his fingers, getting him beat up, and depriving him of the simple pleasure of a delicious last meal. As Catholics, we have the opportunity to offer our pains and sufferings to Christ and use those for our good and the good of others.
We took our 17-year-old to see this movie. It’s appropriate for a mature older teenager. Sensitive teens should view with caution. Despite the R rating, there was no offensive language, nudity or gratuitous blood and violence.