Asmodexia (2014)

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This very interesting Spanish exorcism story concerns Eloy de Palma (Lluís Marco) and his fifteen year-old grand-daughter Alba (Clàudia Pons), as they travel Barcelona where demonic possession is slowly spreading like a disease. Of course, we get our fair share of gut-wrenching screams and blank-eyed wailing - I'd be disappointed if we didn't, to be honest - but the story is a lot less predictable than many of the other 'Exorcist' variants that have done the rounds over the past few years. The possession seems to be attracted by the more vulnerable members of society - mental patients, drug addicts, the hospitalised etc.The thread that links the various exorcisms is the enigma of Alba herself. From the sweaty opening scenes, it is apparent there may well be something unusual about her, but this possibility is put to one side for much of the running time, although there are further hints to this effect.The very satisfying end which both solves that particular riddle, as well as the truth about her grandfather, is powerfully conveyed. This is Marc Carreté's debut as director (and co-writer), and hopefully his is a name we shall more from in the future. For the most part, he goes against the scare tactics, gore, sex and jump-scares of his associates in the field and the results are very refreshing, as well as dark and brooding. Producer and art designer Llorenç Mas must also get a mention, as must Jordi Dalmau who provides an excellent, sinister score.

I liked this movie, a lot. I thought it was beautifully shot, that scene at the end was great. I appreciated the lack of nudity and cheap entertainment, so many films now rely on sex, exaggerated gore and flinch scares. This movie does not. I liked the original plot, a sort of exorcism in reverse. The soundtrack was amazing, real talent there. I liked this director too. I guess this is his first film? Couldn't tell. Thdv I'm looking forward to more, this guy has talent and vision. The reason why I have it a 6 and not higher? Pacing... For a large part of the movie you have no idea what is going on,, and I think it took away from the movie. I think in this case it would have added to the suspense. The other reason is the video tapes from before that are labeled just that. Tapes from before 1997. Those were the worst part of the movie and we could have done without them.. If the script has opened up some, it would have been a 10. Not scary but entertaining.

Based in the Mayan mythology that the year 2012 would be the beginning of a new era, ASMODEXIA is not the typical film about exorcism. In fact as the viewer will see along the plot it has not much to do with Christian faith... At the beginning it seems it has but then we start realizing that priest is not a disciple of Christ! At the end there is a nice twist in the plot that shows it clearly.The production is very good, in the great level we are used to from recent Spanish cinema. It's suspenseful, mysterious and it's filmed in some abandoned places that are really spooky. The acting could have been better though. It's not generally bad but it could have been better at parts...Overall I think the positive features of this film are the nice production and the open ending with that final twist. Asmodeus was set free...

Since 2010 or so, exorcism horror movies appear to be totally hip again. Personally I have never been a big fan of this sub genre (and even think that some of the greatest classics are a tad bit overrated), so I couldn't yet bring myself to watch all those similar looking and clichéd sounding new titles like "The Last Exorcism", "The Possession", "The Devil Inside" or "The Rite". At this year's edition of the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Films, however, I was immediately intrigued by a modest and rather anonymous little Spanish effort entitled "Asmodexia". The poster art looks creepy, the title alone sounds intriguing already and – most of all – the plot appears to be more original and ambitious than the average "innocent young girl possessed by the devil" vehicle. Unusual as it may sound, debuting writer/director Marc Carreté comes up with the creative idea to blend the exorcism rites with a kind of road-movie concept and, moreover, even link it to the infamous 2012 Maya-predicted apocalypse. Elroy de Palma, formerly the leader of a creepy hippie cult, roams around the Barcelona area with his 15-year-old granddaughter Alba in order to perform exorcisms. The phenomenon of demonic possession strangely turned into a kind of virus that spreading fast, especially among the most vulnerable members of society like children, mental patients, and drug addicts. They are also pursued by wicked disciples of Elroy's old sect, and they are particularly interested in Alba's pure virgin soul. "Asmodexia" is an extremely tense thriller with a constantly grim atmosphere and an intelligent (albeit slightly too convoluted) screenplay. Several sequences (notably the ones shot inside the mental asylum) are disturbing and the finale is sublime and much more satisfying than any other exorcism-horror I've seen. The modestly budgeted film also benefices from slick and impressive camera-work and a moody soundtrack. There's also a more than decent amount of shocks and bloodshed, for the sick puppies among us, and the acting performances are very adequate. If you choose to watch your next exorcism-horror film, why not make it this Spanish one?