Belzebuth (2017) Review
After the loss of his own child, Special Agent Emmanuel Ritter (Cosio) is called in to lead an investigation into a spate of deeply disturbing deaths involving young children. Things take an ominous turn when a former Vatican priest (Bell) is enlisted to help. When he uncovers a link to an ancient demon – the most evil one of all – the descent into twisted terror begins.
Belzebuth is a dark, terrifying new work of demonic possession.
Just when you thought you’d had your fill of demonic possession flicks along comes another one to further clog up a tired old genre. Fortunately BELZEBUTH bucks the trend offering up a savagely violent edge-of-the-seat shocker that goes somewhere unthinkable within moments of starting and never lets up. In fact I couldn’t believe that they went where they did at the start, and I still can’t, but fucking hell, it’s definitely very effective!
Director Emilio Portes was previously known for directing comedies but there’s no light-relief on offer here. BELZEBUTH is unrelentingly grim, a potent mix of the stronger elements of both SE7EN and THE EXORCIST. It tiptoes up to genre cliches but never becomes a comfortable bedfellow with them, elevating itself above standard possession flick to become something much more potent, grisly and startling in the process. Recommended.