Film Review: Deliver Us From Evil starts strong then falters

DELIVER US FROM EVIL
Starring: Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez, Olivia Munn
Director: Scott Derrickson
Category: IIB

Inspired by Beware the Night, a book by New York City policeman turned "demonologist" Ralph Sarchie about his paranormal investigations, Deliver Us From Evil starts off as an intriguing mix of police procedural and the supernatural. The gritty atmosphere, coupled with some thoughtful acting almost elevates the film from genre fare to drama.

Taking place in New York City's Bronx borough, tough-talking cop Sarchie (Eric Bana) finds a dead baby in a dumpster, a not inconceivable happening in that part of town. A later visit to a woman who has been brutally beaten by her husband, and a child murder at the Bronx Zoo, point to the activities of a shadowy hooded figure.

Sarchie thinks he's dealing with a particularly nasty and manipulative psycho, but then the groovy long-haired priest Mendoza (Edgar Ramirez) turns up and informs him that what he has is an instance of "primary evil" emanating from a demon. The policeman is a Catholic who has lost his faith due to the nastiness he encounters on the job; the priest says he has to rediscover that faith to enable him to beat the demon, who is now out to kill Sarchie and his family.

Director Scott Derrickson was responsible for 2005's The Exorcism of Emily Rose, another alleged "true life" story of demonic possession. That movie was deceptive, professing to allow the viewer to decide between a scientific or religious reason for the events, when in fact, it came out hands-down in favour of the religious point of view.