First of all, someone was clearly influenced/inspired by David Cronenberg, but onto the subject at hand... Here's the picture we're given throughout most of the film. Either Daniel is a figment of Luke's imagination, which would be plausible, which would make sense, and which by the way, was directed in a very well-honed way as being a potential outcome... OR either Daniel is a demon that is able to physically manifest itself in the real world, which would be STUPID. Now, here's the thing... I'm perfectly willing to accept STUPID. I watch a lot of movies, many of which are STUPID, which I know will be STUPID; therefore STUPID in and of itself, is a perfectly valid trait for a film to possess, and still be able to be appreciated as high art.... I guess...
That's why I give this film a 5 star rating, because I know a lot of people enjoy STUPID, and there are many contexts in which to enjoy STUPID, some of which, are mutually exclusive between each man's subjective standards... So let's talk about those subjective standards. It's very difficult for me to enjoy STUPID when NOT-stupid is also presented as a likely option. If I'm given the option, I'm going to pick NOT-stupid every time, because STUPID is inherently inferior by virtue of what it is, as opposed to NOT-stupid. This is why very few STUPID movies win best picture, by the way. Mediocre movies sometimes win, but STUPID movies don't, and why? Because if a STUPID movie were to win, people would be like "Hey... That movie is pretty STUPID," and there's no defending STUPID as being superior above all else. You can defend mediocre, because mediocre is somewhat subjective, but STUPID is not.
Now, I know what some of you may be thinking. "Hey wait a minute. I believe In God. I believe in demons. I even believe demons walk among us. I even believe if you pray long and hard enough, God will intervene to fix your mothers cataracts. None of those are STUPID." Just a second though... So, you believe there are demons here on earth. Ok, fine, but do you believe demons can literally bend time and space, i.e. Transform a broom into a sword? Of course you don't. Because you know that cameras exist, and you know that it's STUPID to believe in earthly happenings that have never been captured on camera. Put it this way: if I came to you, and told you that I have a history of mental illness in my family, like Luke in the film, and that a demon is stalking me and trying to take over my body, would you believe me? Of course not, and why? Again, because STUPID is less plausible than NOT-stupid, so the "twist" does nothing but undermine the strengths and buildup of the first three quarters of the film. This is why I was thoroughly disappointed. Had I gone into the movie knowing it would be STUPID in advance, I would have been less disappointed by far.
That's why I give this film a 5 star rating, because I know a lot of people enjoy STUPID, and there are many contexts in which to enjoy STUPID, some of which, are mutually exclusive between each man's subjective standards... So let's talk about those subjective standards. It's very difficult for me to enjoy STUPID when NOT-stupid is also presented as a likely option. If I'm given the option, I'm going to pick NOT-stupid every time, because STUPID is inherently inferior by virtue of what it is, as opposed to NOT-stupid. This is why very few STUPID movies win best picture, by the way. Mediocre movies sometimes win, but STUPID movies don't, and why? Because if a STUPID movie were to win, people would be like "Hey... That movie is pretty STUPID," and there's no defending STUPID as being superior above all else. You can defend mediocre, because mediocre is somewhat subjective, but STUPID is not.
Now, I know what some of you may be thinking. "Hey wait a minute. I believe In God. I believe in demons. I even believe demons walk among us. I even believe if you pray long and hard enough, God will intervene to fix your mothers cataracts. None of those are STUPID." Just a second though... So, you believe there are demons here on earth. Ok, fine, but do you believe demons can literally bend time and space, i.e. Transform a broom into a sword? Of course you don't. Because you know that cameras exist, and you know that it's STUPID to believe in earthly happenings that have never been captured on camera. Put it this way: if I came to you, and told you that I have a history of mental illness in my family, like Luke in the film, and that a demon is stalking me and trying to take over my body, would you believe me? Of course not, and why? Again, because STUPID is less plausible than NOT-stupid, so the "twist" does nothing but undermine the strengths and buildup of the first three quarters of the film. This is why I was thoroughly disappointed. Had I gone into the movie knowing it would be STUPID in advance, I would have been less disappointed by far.