Prey for the Devil Review 2022 Film: Movie Exorcist Ripoff

A Dull Retread of “The Exorcist”

In the realm of horror films, “Prey for the Devil” fails to live up to its promises and falls disastrously flat. Directed by Daniel Stamm, who previously gave us “The Last Exorcism” in 2010, this movie disappoints with its unimpressive attempt to mimic the iconic thriller, “The Exorcist,” directed by William Friedkin.

It follows the familiar storyline of demonic possession, with Sister Ann (Jacqueline Byers) defying the rules of her order to learn exorcism from a priest (Colin Salmon). Her mission is to save Natalie (Posy Taylor), who she believes is possessed by the same demon that killed her own mother. Unfortunately, the movie offers little explanation as to the demon’s motives, leaving viewers perplexed. While a few mainstream possession films like James Wan’s “The Conjuring” have stood out, most fall into the trap of replicating “The Exorcist” without adding anything new or hiding their influences.

A Derivative Plot with Few Surprises

“Prey for the Devil” shamelessly borrows from “The Exorcist,” with Natalie serving as a stand-in for Regan MacNeil, Sister Ann resembling Damien Karras, and Father Quinn playing the role of Father Lankester Merrin. Although there are minor differences in the plot, the core storyline remains unchanged. A spiritual figure must perform an exorcism on a possessed young girl whose soul is endangered by an evil and determined demonic presence.

Predictably, Stamm offers no thrills or surprises as he handles the story. Every element of the movie can be seen coming a mile away, whether it’s the lackluster jump scares or the recycled story beats from “The Exorcist.” Even the climax is a beat-for-beat recreation of the original, albeit with some slight alterations. When comparing the two, “The Exorcist” clearly stands as the superior film due to its ability to terrify audiences without relying on cheap jump scares.

Insufficient Fear Factor

Despite a few notable moments of semi-decent PG-13 body horror, “Prey for the Devil” fails to instill fear throughout its brisk 93-minute runtime. Only one scene manages to genuinely terrify, as Natalie wrestles with her own hair choking her (as depicted in the film’s poster). The practical effects are well-executed, generating a sense of tension not found in the rest of the scares.

However, the remainder of the film follows a repetitive pattern of anticipation, loud jump scare noises used as fake scares, and temporary relief until the next predictable jump scare inevitably occurs. None of the scares push the boundaries of the horror genre or provide a lasting impact. In a year filled with exceptional horror releases, “Prey for the Devil” struggles to stand out and makes little impact on viewers beyond a momentary increase in heart rate.

Lacking Performances

The performances in “Prey for the Devil” are equally underwhelming. While Colin Salmon and Virginia Madsen attempt to bring a sense of seriousness to their characters, the poorly written dialogue hampers their efforts. Jacqueline Byers, playing Sister Ann, unfortunately comes across as miscast. She delivers dramatic sequences with an unintentional air of hilarity, inadvertently turning some serious scenes, such as Natalie’s attacks on members of the Church, into unintentional comedy. The overall atmosphere of the film may be dark, but the performances often lack the necessary depth to engage the audience.

A Forgettable Addition to the Horror Genre

“Prey for the Devil” does little to contribute to the horror genre. Its recycled plot, coupled with lackluster performances and unimpressive scares, hinder its potential impact. Originally slated for a January 2021 release, the movie was ultimately delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, further diminishing its already lackluster reception. Even a Halloween release cannot salvage its shortcomings. “The Last Exorcism” should have truly been the last for this tired subgenre. Unfortunately, “Prey for the Devil” fails to provide the innovation and originality necessary to captivate audiences and secure a lasting place in the annals of horror cinema.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is “Prey for the Devil” a standalone film or part of a series? “Prey for the Devil” is a standalone film and is not part of any known series.
• Does “Prey for the Devil” rely heavily on jump scares? Yes, “Prey for the Devil” heavily relies on jump scares as a primary source of horror, often to the detriment of its overall effectiveness.
• Are there any unique elements in “Prey for the Devil” that differentiate it from other possession movies? While “Prey for the Devil” follows the familiar tropes of possession movies, it does incorporate some neat practical effects in certain body horror scenes, adding a touch of uniqueness to an otherwise derivative film.
• Is “Prey for the Devil” suitable for a teenage audience? Due to its PG-13 rating, “Prey for the Devil” is generally considered appropriate for a teenage audience. However, individual sensitivity to horror themes should be taken into account.
• What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on the release of “Prey for the Devil”? The COVID-19 pandemic significantly delayed the release of “Prey for the Devil,” causing further disappointment upon its eventual debut. The numerous delays also contributed to its lackluster reception.