disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

AGNES -- A Wildly Idiosyncratic Exorcism Thriller

6/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Review by Sean Boelman
Picture
Cult filmmaker Mickey Reece has a particular style that cinephiles will either love or hate, but it depends on the project as to how well it works. The exorcism drama Agnes is particularly fitting for his sensibilities, and while it is far from perfect, it’s a really solid entry in a genre that is too often filled with terrible schlock.

The film follows a young priest and a reserved nun who experience a crisis of faith after there is an instance of demonic possession within the convent. Reece does a great job of taking these classic tropes and doing something unique with them that feels unique but will still appease genre fans.

It’s almost as if there are two separate movies in one here, as the first half is a supernatural horror flick and the final act turns into something more nuanced. That isn’t to say that the earlier part is any less distinctive — the entire film clearly carries the mark of being Reece’s work — but that final third is absolutely mind-blowing.

Religious themes are nothing new in the horror genre, as a lot of horror is based around faith and superstition. That said, Reece takes the ideas that are commonly explored within the exorcism subgenre on a surface level and adds an extra level of existential dread to the equation to make it hit even harder.
Picture
However, even though the movie does a good job of addressing the religious qualms that the characters are experiencing internally, there could have been much more development to the characters as a whole. The film switches protagonists a few too many times, causing the connection to be lost at times. 

Molly C. Quinn gives a very nuanced performance, especially in the more emotionally-demanding latter portion of the movie. The supporting cast also has some strong performances. Sean Gunn and Ben Halla are the highlights, both giving performances that are tremendously fun to watch.

A lot of what makes Reece’s style so distinctive is that it has a very low-budget feel to it, but still feels very inspired. There is clearly a lot of influence from the classic exorcism movies, but there’s a lot of quirkiness to it. Part of the unsettling nature of the film comes from the tongue-in-cheek humor of Reece.

Agnes is probably going to be one of the most divisive movies to come out of this year’s Tribeca, but those who are fans of it will be very supportive. In terms of midnight festival flicks, this fits the bill to a tee.

Agnes is currently seeking distribution.

​Rating: 4/5
               
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About