Diabolic (2025) Review
Diabolic (2025) Review
The Australian-produced supernatural horror, directed by Daniel J. Phillips (Awoken), comes to Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. The film stars Elizabeth Cullen (Evil Dead Wrath), John Kim (The Little Things), Mia Challis (Clickbait) and Terence Crawford (The Babadook).
After suffering terrifying blackouts, a young woman returns to the religious compound where she was raised. As she unravels the dark secrets of her past, an ancient ritual unleashes the vengeful spirit of a cursed witch.
Australian filmmaker Daniel J. Phillips continues to carve out a niche in genre cinema with Diabolic, a supernatural horror inspired by real-life experiences and religious trauma. Known for grounded, character-driven storytelling and a distinctive visual sensibility, Phillips first gained attention with Awoken, a psychological horror that established his interest in emotionally anchored high-concept narratives. With Diabolic, he further develops that approach, delivering a polished and accessible horror film—though one that struggles to leave a lasting impression.
There is little overtly wrong with Diabolic. In fact, it is perfectly watchable. The pacing is steady, the narrative structured well enough to maintain attention, and there is sufficient incident throughout to keep the momentum moving. Yet despite these strengths, the film proves surprisingly forgettable. That may sound harsher than intended; Diabolic is agreeable enough while it lasts, bolstered by committed performances and competent craftsmanship. It simply never rises above familiarity.
Co-written by Tricia Madsen, the film draws inspiration from her real-life experiences with the Mormon Church, including excommunication and rejection from the community. While this personal foundation adds thematic weight on paper, the material ultimately fails to bring anything particularly fresh or revelatory to the genre. The film touches on trauma, belief, and ostracism but rarely explores them with enough emotional depth to resonate beyond the surface.
Indeed, emotional investment proves to be one of Diabolic’s principal shortcomings. While everything necessary is presented clearly onscreen, the story unfolds with such predictability that audiences may feel little urgency to remain fully engaged. It is the kind of film where stepping away for several minutes would likely leave viewers no less certain of where the plot is heading upon their return.
That said, Phillips ensures the film remains accessible and easy to digest. The effects work is solid without being showy, and, importantly for horror fans, the scares continue consistently throughout. Most notably, Diabolic succeeds where many recent genre offerings have faltered: its climax delivers. In avoiding the increasingly common pitfall of an underwhelming finale, the film earns goodwill through a conclusion that feels both satisfying and tonally appropriate.
Diabolic may not linger long in the memory, nor does it significantly expand the boundaries of supernatural horror. However, for viewers seeking an undemanding, competently assembled genre piece with enough scares to justify the runtime, it offers an enjoyable—if unremarkable—way to pass the time.
Diabolic will be available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from Monday 25th May
