Worth: $14.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Ryan Guzman, Kyle Gallner, Alix Angelis
Intro:
…about as subtle as a brick…if you let the film tempt you, then you’re in for a good time.
Not to sound like everyone’s disapproving dad, but the rise of social media, including the likes of TikTok and Instagram, has exposed people to a potential shortcut to fame. For some, it’s a case of why persevere when you can just upload yourself doing a silly dance or unboxing a new pop culture toyline.
Then there are people who really harness the power of online fame. People like Father Max (Ryan Guzman, Notorious) and his friend Drew (Kyle Gallner, Ghosts of War), who have been preying on people’s fear of evil and love of redemption.
Each week, Father Max steps up to the holy plate to exorcise a poor, unfortunate soul live online. As the vomit flies and blood pours, it would appear the general public can’t get enough. It helps that Max is a bit of a Hot Priest too. The truth of the matter is that none of the exorcisms are real and participants that appear on the show sign strict NDAs. The whole things is a ploy to help make Max become bigger than Jesus, and sell a ton of merchandise.
When their latest actor fails to turn up for the next episode, Drew encourages his girlfriend Lane (Alix Angelis) to step in. As the camera starts to roll and Lane appears to be wandering off-script, it becomes apparent that a real demon has turned up to play the boys at their own game.
It’s clear that director Damien LeVeck (Dark, Deadly & Dreadful) was influenced by numerous genre films. Jumping from The Last Exorcism to the Saw franchise in a matter of minutes, The Cleansing Hour is about as subtle as a brick and all the better for it. Derivative of The Exorcist, as most films of this type tend to be, the unnamed demon puts the friends and their crew to the test. Didn’t think doing the Hokey Pokey could be lethal? Well, let’s throw in some broken glass and a ceiling fan that can cut through bone.
If it all sounds silly, well it is. This is the kind of movie midnight matinees were made for. Our demonic antagonist pops out cheesy one liners like she’s Freddy Krueger and characters suddenly announce that they studied Latin at college because the plot needs them to know a dead language. You are either along for the bloody ride, or you’re not. And if you let the film tempt you, then you’re in for a good time.
