Filmmaker Scott Derrickson has definitely been through a lot when it comes to movies even if he hasn't output a large volume. He's also been through several areas of the movie industry; everything from home video, independent to mainstream blockbuster studios. And of course now that he's been inducted into the family of Marvel Studios, his credibility has been more or less confirmed. Prior to this though he was still trying to make a name for himself in way that would make him stand out. While The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) remake was boring for most, his comeback with Sinister (2012) turned the tables in his favor. While Sinister (2012) did engage its audience at the beginning, the predictability became fairly obvious as time went on. Sadly it seems as though Derrickson did not notice this when he released this movie as his next feature.The story for this movie displays events that allegedly were told to be true by a New York police officer named Ralph Sarchie. According to him, he came across a number of strange moments where he would be on duty and witness abnormal actions by people. Playing Sarchie is Eric Bana and soon he teams up with a priest by the name of Father Mendoza (Edgar Ramírez) who believes the cases are related to a greater evil. With the screenplay adapted by Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman, the execution of the story feels very similar to that of Sinister (2012). At the start, the plot will capture the viewers' attention, but over time it begins to lose its grasp on what matters most. This is unfortunate because initially it has an interesting detective supernatural vibe going for it, but then it turns to a rather conventional method of execution and begins to lose traction.And there's a reason why the play out to this feature feels similar. The explanation to this is that Paul Harris Boardman has been a familiar writer to that of other Scott Derrickson productions, surprisingly not Sinister (2012) though. Putting this aside however, the acting by the main cast is fairly good. Eric Bana as the tough Sgt. Sarchie has a captivating presence along with his partner Butler played by Joel McHale, who seems to find a way of making light of any situation. Olivia Munn is also involved as Sarchie's wife who adds some tension to the story being that most married protagonists are easily held as leverage. Edgar Ramirez as Father Mendoza has a peculiar back story working with the supernatural and also serves as a good backup to Sarchie. Lastly there's Sean Harris who plays a significant part to the plot, and Sarchie's investigation.The visuals to the film were properly placed. Derrickson has done horror films before and this one does not divert from what's been done before. The gore is not over the top but can get grotesque.at times. This makes for an effective take on just how bad things can get surrounding Sgt. Sarchie. The worst it gets is body contortions and really freaky looking faces. The special effects themselves though are well done. There's no areas in the run time that look heavily edited or overly fake. Though some of the events that happen are questionable as to if they actually happened at all. Of course this comes with the understanding that certain liberties will be taken with the story that was given from the original source. The question is, exactly how much of it is true? That's to be debated over since the screenplay is based off of a book by Sgt. Sarchie.The camerawork was well done too. Filmed by Scott Kevan, the cinematography is displayed competently. There are dark areas throughout the film but it is not to a point where the audience will not be able to see what is happening. If anything it helps emphasize how peculiar some scenarios get. Occasionally there is some shaky cam and dutch angles, but it occurs quite infrequently that it's not really a bother. Kevan was also the cinematographer to Cabin Fever (2002), Death Race (2008) and The Darkest Hour (2011). Composing the film score to this feature was Christopher Young who has not only worked with Derrickson before but has done many horror scores in general. Sadly, what's only heard here are repeated tracks from other movies like Sinister (2012), and the rest are all stings. It's pretty underwhelming because only a couple areas actually sound unique.Music and story execution is unfortunately a large portion why the movie could not be as good as it presents itself. Yet the actors, horror visuals and premise make the view enjoyable to watch for the most part. It's decent enough to warrant at least one watch but that's it.

If you haven't guessed it, this is another exorcism film...which is real, but isn't. The film starts out as a a number of different tales. A group of soldiers go into an Afghan (?) tunnel only to find... We then switch to Special police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) who uses his radar to select certain cases. He gets involved in a domestic dispute, then an odd scene at the Bronx zoo, only be followed by a family who claims their house is haunted. As he gathers evidence, everything ties to together leading of course to the expected climax with Father Mendoza (Édgar Ramírez) named for the Mendoza line.Sarchie has wife issues who claims, "Even when you're here you're not here." Ouch! What guy hasn't heard that one before. I believe that is something they teach girls when they split us up into those special separate classes. I wish they had worked on the dialogue. Also the film was a bit long. They needed to take out 10-15 minutes.What I really liked about the film is that the demon is a big fan of Jim Morrison and quotes him while the film plays Doors music.Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

"Deliver Us from Evil" is meaningful for me because it is similar story with a man who served in military in Caucasus and it seems is suffering from the same symptoms as the guys who was in Iraq.The scene of exorcism powerfully portrayed and whole film is a good suspense. Thanks a lot to producers for creating this example how evil could be overcame by humans with faith.Impressed how the priest confessing his own sins to his police friend - and encourages him to get rid of the darkness of his soul simultaneously.Thank you very much again for doing such a great job!

Eric Bana and Edgar Ramirez star in a supernatural story using the life of NYPD sergeant turned demonologist Ralph Sarchie to create a tale of possession and exorcism in a darkened and rain-drenched New York. Bana plays Sarchie and Ramirez plays a charismatic priest, Joe Mendoza, who introduces Sarchie to the fight against evil. Both men have a brooding, dark and handsome persona, both men are unclean – Ramirez personally, Sarchie professionally – and, since it's more interesting to see the fight between good and evil being played out inside a character than outside, they make a well-matched and intriguing pair of demon-fighters.Deliver Us from Evil has an individuality derived from a strong aesthetic that combines a Gothic visual style – New York looks particularly Gotham-like – with a sound design that textures the film with the aural equivalent of film grain: static, buzzing, echoes and old voices, creaks, and shuddering old buildings, as well as a soundtrack from The Doors placed in a sinister context as demonic forces attempt to break through into Sarchie himself.The film is dominated by its locations and weather as much as by its actors and plot. Everything takes place in the rain, driving, heavy rain, always a great metaphor for the extremes of the human condition, and in the dark. Dark alleys, houses, cellars, dirty stairwells, a zoo at night; a city at night is the natural location for a horror film about humans and the things that prey on them. Where else should a film about demonic possession take place? On a sandy beach in the summer? Unless we've all been wrong for a very long time, Satan doesn't like sunshine.The direction and cinematography use these settings to create the story of humans in the midst of darkness. Only the characters' faces are lit in interior scenes; outside, the camera floats above the city, and it stays close to the actors when they are inside. The director, Scott Derrickson, is fast becoming a horror veteran and his experience and control are evident throughout scene by scene and also in the way he opens up the story and pushes it forward at a strong pace – this is not a horror film where nothing happens until the last 10 minutes! Ultimately a film about possession stands or falls on its exorcism scene. It also rests on the commitment of the actors, and this has to be strongest in the exorcism sequence. Sean Harris plays the demoniac and he excels not just in the physical acting needed to portray possession but in his sheer creepiness earlier in the film and, in the end, his terror and shock when exorcised. He looks like a hostage who's been buried underground or locked up in a box and his release ends a great exorcism scene which has just enough gruesomeness and religious fervour but doesn't go over the top, although shattering glass, pouring rain and the Doors playing over the ritual comes close.Watching Eric Bana give a strong performance, brooding his way through a fairly Gothic city, given direction and, finally, release by Edgar Ramirez as the cool and spiritually committed Jesuit, it raises a question about him that might not have occurred before: Bana for Batman, anyone?