Review by Jon Donnis
I know what I need to distract me from the bad weather, it's a good horror film, and luckily, director Daniel Stamm has just such a film in Prey for the Devil.
The Roman Catholic Church is combatting a rise in demonic possessions across the world, and one way they are doing that is by reopening schools to train priests to exorcise the demons, specifically the Rite of Exorcism.
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Despite being forbidden from performing exorcisms, Sister Ann (Jacqueline Byers) believes she has a calling to be the first female exorcist. She seeks out one of these schools, and Professor and Priest, Father Quinn (Colin Salmon), sees great potential in Sister Ann and recognises her natural gifts and agrees to train her.
A young girl has been possessed and Sister Ann believes that the child is possessed by the same demon that possessed her own mother when she was a child. Through flashbacks we see how her mother would be normal one minute, before turning on the young Ann and hurting her.
Along with another trainee, Father Dante (Christian Navarro), Sister Ann delves into the secret archives, educating herself as much as she can, before the inevitable battle with the demon that has seemingly been waiting for her all along.
Prey for the Devil is a pretty standard exorcist type film, but it looks and feels very well made, and I would assume with a decent budget. Many of the actors you will recognise, especially Colin Salmon who you will know from 3 classic James Bond films, as well as all manner of TV shows over the years.
Although a bit cliche at times, the film is very well acted, and convincing in its delivery of a story that is far from original.
The special effects, make up etc is all of a high standard, and when the jump scares come, they are well done with just the right amount of tension and surprise being built.
Jacqueline Byers is excellent in the lead as Sister Ann, and I was cheering her on throughout.
The ending is rather predictable, and would seem to set up more films if they get the nod to make them.
The Good
Predictable but enjoyable horror film, I like a good possession film, and all the classic cliches are here. Child possessed, bones cracking, crawling up walls and so on. The jump scares are really well done but not overused. Top acting from all. Very nice little film with a magical run time of 86 minutes!
The Bad
Nothing really original here, and it is a predictable film.
Overall
Even when a film is predictable, it really doesn't matter if the film is well made, and well acted, and Prey for the Devil ticks both of those all important boxes.
I enjoyed the film, and it was a perfect distraction from the usual rubbish you get this time of year.
I score Prey for the Devil a solid 7.5/10
Out Now in Selected UK Cinemas and on Apple TV - https://apple.co/3G7wrbb
