Very creepy the TV horror flick Along Came the Devil is now available On Demand and Digital HD. The movie is based on a true event that involves exorcism. A lot of “Hollywood” has been added to bring the script to life on the home screen and features some very good performances.
Following the disappearance of the mother young Jordan (Kyla Deaver) and Ashley (Lia McHugh as young Ashley) are under the care of their father, a strong disciplinarian. The two children cling to each other in fear of another whipping and try to avoid his penchant for whores. Growing up Ashley still has nightmares do tp the loss of her mother, but they survive with their dad even though they have moved away from their hometown. Ten years later Jordan gets a scholarship to a big college and she convinces Ashley (Sydney Sweeney) to move in with their aunt Tanya (Jessica Barth). It’s a return to her hometown for Ashley and her first day of school starts tomorrow.
Hearing that Ashley is back, Hannah (Madison Lintz) her best friend, comes to visit her. She convinces her to go to the lake to meet friends, one of which is an old crush Shane (Austin Filson). During the outing Ashley starts to hear voices and apparition that makes her visibly frightened. Returning home the voices and noises start to get louder and at one point the bed starts to shake. Not knowing what to think Tanya meets with Pastor John (Matt Dallas) and Reverend Michael (Bruce Davison) at the local church.
It’s the beginning of a sinister wave that will affect Ashley and spread to others forcing Reverend Michael to reveal the past in order to cure the present. Director and co-writer Jason DeVan does a very good job of building suspense and developing his characters as they enter the storyline. He inserts apparitions and uses them to build the horror that will come from the depths of hell.
If you are into occult movies or just like a horror flick now and then, Along Came the Devil is quite good. Not a top drawer flick due to its low budget look, but it has some very good moments. The acting of the main cast is also great. I’m sure that most of the performances should be credited to Jason DeVan who brings out their personality and later the desperate battle to determine how to defeat evil.
I do like Sydney Sweeney’s performance as the older Ashley who has to face the insidious thing that comes into her life. Sweeney takes her character from the effects of being a child that has been abused to a fighter that tries not to give in to the past. She’s been acting since she was twelve and has built up a good career so far. You may recognize her as Edna Spencer in the award winning TV series “The Handmaid’s Tale”.
Along Came the Devil has rated TV-14 and contains violence, language, gore and sex. Be sure that your children are mature enough and are not frightened easily by evil scenes that contain exorcism and demonic possession.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good horror flick for a stormy night with a companion. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Jessica Barth, Matt Dallas, Madison Lintz, Heather DeVan, Bruce Davison, Lia McHugh
Directed by: Jason DeVan
Written by: Jason DeVan and Heather DeVan
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
TV Rating: TV-14, sex, language, gore, violence
Running Time: 1 hr. 29 min.
Opening Date: August 10, 2018
Distributed by: Gravitas Ventures
Released on: VOD, Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
