The Last Exorcism is a mock documentary who is more concerned with psychological chills than flashy special effects, which is really appreciated (by me).
After the incredible success of The Blair Witch Project in 1999, this format has been overused by low-budget filmmakers, but it still works really well in The Last Exorcism, by showing the events through a single perspective, revealing or withholding information as they (filmmakers) please. And it's because of the withhold information that this movie divided opinions so much.
I believe that the last thing that this movie needed was a conclusion that tidied up the plot. The strength of this horror movie relies in his ambiguity, raising questions rather than explaining them.
The Last Exorcism takes its time to build up the tension, creating a great atmosphere and a growing sense of fear. It's also a film more interested in characters than gore.
But of course that ambiguity can lead to plot holes, and there are some minor details that are hard to explain, due to the number of questions that the movie raises.
As for the cast, they did a great job in looking real. They're not forwarding the plot or overacting. They are fully dimensional people who you relate to.
Pros: A mock documentary who is more concerned with psychological chills than flashy special effects. A fully dimensional cast, with people we can relate to. A great atmosphere and a growing sense of fear.
Cons: It relies on some horror movie clichés, which could be avoided. An ambiguous ending that will not please everyone (this con doesn't apply to me, but in a general way).
After the incredible success of The Blair Witch Project in 1999, this format has been overused by low-budget filmmakers, but it still works really well in The Last Exorcism, by showing the events through a single perspective, revealing or withholding information as they (filmmakers) please. And it's because of the withhold information that this movie divided opinions so much.
I believe that the last thing that this movie needed was a conclusion that tidied up the plot. The strength of this horror movie relies in his ambiguity, raising questions rather than explaining them.
The Last Exorcism takes its time to build up the tension, creating a great atmosphere and a growing sense of fear. It's also a film more interested in characters than gore.
But of course that ambiguity can lead to plot holes, and there are some minor details that are hard to explain, due to the number of questions that the movie raises.
As for the cast, they did a great job in looking real. They're not forwarding the plot or overacting. They are fully dimensional people who you relate to.
Pros: A mock documentary who is more concerned with psychological chills than flashy special effects. A fully dimensional cast, with people we can relate to. A great atmosphere and a growing sense of fear.
Cons: It relies on some horror movie clichés, which could be avoided. An ambiguous ending that will not please everyone (this con doesn't apply to me, but in a general way).