192. The Unholy; movie review

 

 

THE UNHOLY

Cert 15

100 mins

BBFC advice: strong horror, disturbing images

Cinema is back!

I booked my ticket online, drove over to Derby, took the photo of the outside of Odeon De Lux and pronounced on Facebook: "Honey, I'm home!"

The friendly staff instructed me to follow the assigned path, have my QR code on my phone verified, fill in the registration of my car and all that was left was for me to deposit myself in row B of Screen 1.

In truth, my happiness at the return to seeing movies on the big screen will remain much longer in the memory than The Unholy.

Anyway, at least this adaptation of James Herbert's book zipped by quickly enough to prove why I prefer watching films at a picture house than at home.

It stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a washed-up journalist who has lost his credibility after making up stories and has sought solace in the bottom of a bottle.

He has resorted to touting freelance articles to sensationalist websites for small-buck payments.

But when driving while drunk, he stumbles upon the biggest story of his life - a deaf girl (Cricket Brown) who speaks for the first time at the site of the execution of a witch in the 19th century.

The 18-year-old then claims that the Virgin Mary has spoken to her causing much excitement in the small American town of Banfield.

This reaches fever pitch when she claims she is Mary's vessel and carries out miracles for the faithful.

However, this is a horror movie, so we already know that dark forces are bound to be present - and so it transpires.

Unfortunately, Evan Spiliotopoulos's film follows a very well worn path and movie cliches abound.

Even though I was quite taken with Morgan's performance, I was irritated by the journalist stereotype. Yet again, a reporter is portrayed as a sleazeball alcoholic who would sell his granny for a story.

But, on the upside, this one has been given the opportunity for self-reflection at the same time as setting about uncovering the truth about the supposedly saintly apparition.

I was also impressed with Brown as the naive girl who believes that she is a vessel for good.

Unfortunately, the journalist wasn't the last of the movie cliches - the clergymen, who include Cary Elwes, are just as shallow.

And, The Unholy, while having a fairly engaging story, failed to make me jump.

But, hey, this is just the beginning of a brave new world away from the big screen, so I am happy to be eased into the cinema.

Reasons to watch: Jeffrey Dean Morgan gives his best shot

Reasons to avoid: Lots of cliches

Laughs: None

Jumps: Two

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 5.5/10

Did you know? During the twentieth century, there were 386 cases of Marian apparitions. The Church has made "no decision" about the supernatural character regarding 299 of the 386 cases, a "negative decision" about 79 of the 386 cases and verified only eight cases: Fatima (Portugal), Beauraing (Belgium), Banneux (Belgium), Akita (Japan), Syracuse (Italy), Zeitoun (Egypt), Manila (Philippines)  and Betania (Venezuela).

The final word. Evan Spiliotopoulos: "I just felt that that the combination of a totally egotistical cynic entering a small town where eerie things are happening, and then manipulating the story to his own advantage, but then realising that he’s unleashed a spiritual Pandora’s box and only he can stop it, but at the cost of everything he always wanted – is a great character." Jump Cut

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