Consecration (2023) Review

Consecration (2023) Review

After the suspicious death of her brother, a priest, Grace goes to the Mount Saviour Convent in Scotland to find out what really happened. Once there, she uncovers murder, sacrilege, and a disturbing truth about her own past.

The film stars Jena Malone (THE HUNGER GAMES franchise, THE NEON DEMON), Danny Huston (THE AVIATOR, CHILDREN OF MEN, 21 GRAMS), Thoren Ferguson (EMMERDALE, VIGIL), Will Keen (OPERATION MINCEMEAT, VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN), and Dame Janet Suzman (THE CROWN, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA). CONSECRATION was directed by Christopher Smith (TRIANGLE, CREEP, TEMPLE), who co-wrote the film with Laurie Cook (LORD OF MISRULE, DON’T HANG UP, TRIANGLE).

This is another religious-themed horror flick and there has been a few of those of late including the unexpectedly excellent OMEN prequel. It starts well but flags, feeling unnecessarily vague and convoluted with both the writing and directing muddying an otherwise straightforward and routine storyline. However, it’s dressed up, with sumptuous cinematography capturing the magnificence of the rugged locations and it has Danny Huston starring. Danny Huston shines in whatever he is no matter what and lead actor Jena Malone, as Grace, matches him in every scene they share onscreen.

There is never really any intrigue, there is no suspense, and no build-up, CONSECRATION simply plods along. It’s all too obvious and uneventful and despite starting strong it ends up being a big ‘so what!’ British director Christopher Smith has a couple of solid gems in his directorial back catalogue – 2004’s CREEP and the excellent comedy-horror SEVERANCE (2006) – however after 2009’s TRIANGLE his output lacks the same oomph and unfortunately this, his latest, follows the same trajectory.

Consecration will be UK Digital Platforms from 16th June