Writer-director Jason Bognacki’s account of a young woman’s coming of age, as she discovers a close association with the Devil, is a strikingly designed, often very well shot and edited feature length homage to occult American cinema of the 70’s. The powerful use of music – classical and original – light and colour also echo Argento in his prime, while the paring down of dialogue and plot in favour of atmosphere and imagery suggests a heady Italian horror influence in general. Sadly, it’s also oddly uninvolving and even unintentionally funny in its po-faced approach. There’s no doubting it’s a technically accomplished indie from a filmmaker on his way to stronger movies: if you can get past the ill-advised CG effects and awkward performances, it’s worth a look.

Review by Steven West