Deliver Us from Evil (2014) – A Supernatural Horror Film
Overview
Deliver Us from Evil is a 2014 American supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The movie is loosely based on the memoir What the Devil Don’t Know by Ralph Sarchie, a former NYPD officer who claims to have investigated cases of demonic possession. The film weaves a fictional narrative around real-life events, blending elements of horror, drama, and spirituality.
Storyline
The movie begins in the Bronx, where veteran NYPD Special Operations Sergeant Ralph Sarchie (played by Eric Bana) and his partner Butler (played by Joel McHale) patrol the 46th Precinct. They receive a domestic disturbance call, which leads them to a former Marine, Jimmy Tratner, whose wife has been badly beaten. Sarchie and Butler assume that Jimmy is mentally ill or high on drugs, but as they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a series of bizarre and terrifying events.
The story takes a dark turn when they encounter Jane Crenna, a deranged woman who is transferred to a mental health facility. A Jesuit priest, Father Joe Mendoza (played by Edgar Ramírez), arrives at the family’s request, believing that Jane is possessed by demons. Mendoza explains that there are two types of evil: secondary evil, which is created by humans, and primary evil, which comes from demons.
As Sarchie becomes more involved in the case, he starts to suspect that something supernatural is at play. He discovers a series of cryptic messages and symbols, including archaic Latin and ancient pictographs, which seem to be connected to the mysterious figure known as Santino (played by Sean Harris). The messages are found in various locations, including the basement of a house where a painter’s body is discovered and the lion enclosure at the Bronx Zoo.
Sarchie’s investigation leads him to believe that the disturbances are linked to a group of U.S. Marines who survived war in Iraq but returned home changed. Two of the Marines turn up dead, and the third is involved in a violent confrontation with Butler. The situation escalates when Jane becomes increasingly possessed, biting Mendoza’s forearm and revealing the name Marvin, which shakes Sarchie to his core.
The climax of the film involves an exorcism performed by Sarchie and Mendoza on Santino, who has abducted Sarchie’s wife and daughter. During the exorcism, Sarchie hears whispers revealing the name of the demon, Jungler, which Mendoza uses to finally release Santino. The film concludes with Sarchie renouncing Satan during the baptism of his second child and retiring from the police force to continue working with Father Mendoza.
Cast
Eric Bana as Sergeant Ralph Sarchie
Joel McHale as Butler
Edgar Ramírez as Father Joe Mendoza
Sean Harris as Santino
Crew
Director: Scott Derrickson
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenplay: Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Roger Ebert, in his review for RogerEbert.com, criticized the film for its reliance on horror tropes and its casual chauvinism. He noted that the film’s creative shortcomings result from the lazy articulation of its interest in spiritual doubt and penance, particularly in the character of Sergeant Sarchie, who relies on an intuitive radar to sense supernatural activity.
On the other hand, The Week highlighted the real story behind the film, noting that while the main storyline is fictional, it is inspired by Ralph Sarchie’s memoir and real-life experiences. The article emphasized that Sarchie’s work as a demonologist is rooted in his dogmatic worldview and that the film’s portrayal of demonic possession is subjective and lacks objective evidence.
Posters and Marketing
The movie poster for Deliver Us from Evil features a haunting image of Eric Bana as Sergeant Sarchie, with a dark and ominous background. The poster includes the tagline The Devil is Real and emphasizes the supernatural elements of the film. The design is typical of horror movie posters, aiming to create a sense of fear and intrigue.
In terms of marketing, the film’s trailer and promotional materials focus on the eerie atmosphere and the supernatural events that unfold. The use of dark colors, creepy sound effects, and quick cuts aims to build tension and suspense, appealing to fans of horror movies.
Fans of the film can purchase various forms of merchandise, including framed prints and canvas prints of the movie poster. These items allow fans to display their love for the film in their homes, adding a touch of horror movie nostalgia to any room.
Conclusion
Deliver Us from Evil is a supernatural horror film that blends elements of real-life events with fictional narrative. The movie follows the story of Sergeant Ralph Sarchie, a veteran NYPD officer who investigates cases of demonic possession. With a strong cast, including Eric Bana and Edgar Ramírez, and a gripping storyline, the film offers a thrilling experience for horror fans. While it received mixed reviews, the film remains a compelling watch for those interested in the supernatural and the darker side of human nature.
Keywords: Supernatural Horror Demonic Possession Ralph Sarchie Scott Derrickson Jerry Bruckheimer Eric Bana Joel McHale Edgar Ramírez Sean Harris Movie Poster Framed Print Canvas Print Horror Movie Nostalgia Film Posters Media Merchandise
