Belzebuth (Review)

Title: Belzebuth
Director: Emilio Portes
Writers: Luis Carlos Fuentes, Emilio Portes
Cast: Tobin Bell, Joaquín Cosio, Tate Ellington, Giovanna Zacarías, Aida López, Aurora Gil
Min: 114
Year: 2017

Police Detective Emmanuel Ritter (Joaquín Cosio) and his wife have just had a kid. He has to leave for work and soon thereafter, a woman brutally stabs and kills all the babies (including his), save for one (who survives due to happenstance and luck), in the hospital. Five years later, a kid comes into a school and guns down all the kindergarten children, then blows off his own head. Ritter is called in to investigate and soon there is a continuous series of similar massacres. Although, he doesn't like it, he teams up with an American priest turned paranormal investigator, named Ivan Franco (Tate Ellington) to get to the bottom of it all. Connected in all of this, somehow, is an excommunicated priest, now with satanic connections (Tobin Bell). As the more and more seemingly demonic truth, reveals itself, our heroes must hurry to prevent more from being added to the body count and stop the ever rising hellish evil.

Belzebuth is a bilingual, Mexican, satanic horror movie. It earns points by taking well worn ideas and being able to give us a fresh take on them. While, I genuinely leave most satanic and possession movies with a sense of apathy or worse, this movie actually managed to surprise me and go in manners I did not expect. And, for this horror fan, who feels that he has seen it all, and seen it done a million times over, that is a big compliment to give out.

While, this movie could have been generic and gone a very by the numbers way of telling and revealing its story, it instead ops for a far more interesting approach. As a matter of fact, my theory of what is happening was kind of wrong. As the truth behind the plot's mystery reveals itself, the truth is pretty wild. But, thankfully the movie is done well enough where one can accept and go with it. The climatic exorcism is fresh and wild and a great change of pace for those who are fucking sick of shitty Exorcist rip-offs.

The directing by Emilio Portes is strong. While before this he was only known for comedies like Pastorela and The Popcorn Chronicles (neither of which I have ever seen), he clearly knows how to handle horror. As he achieves some very chilling moments. For example, there is this great reveal of hand prints that is down right jaw dropping! Aided by some strong editing, he does a good job building tension. While, it feels a wee bit overlong, the film always remains interesting and thankfully involving.

With the various mass gun downs and suicide bombings the movie feels even more frightening, due to recent and horrific real life events. A lot of violence involving children happens off-screen. But, the mere fact that it involves kids makes it uncomfortable without much being shown, beyond some blood spattered sets. That being said, there are some good bits of actual gore, including an impressive pickax kill and a fairly graphic crucifixion.

One of the movie's strongest aspects is the great acting. Particularly strong is Joaquín Cosio as our main protagonist Lieutenant Ritter. He really puts his heart into the role, giving a powerful and very believable performance that allows him to express a wide variety of emotions in various scenarios. Saw actor Tobin Bell does some very subdued acting in his role as the mysterious stranger with satanic tats. They are supported and helped by the rest of the strong cast.

Belzebuth is an interesting if a bit longer than needed be satanic horror film. It features a new take on a well worn sub-genre and gives us wild and interesting ideas. It is further aided by suspenseful directing and editing, as well as having a central mystery that reveals its nature in original ways. Throw in some "Oh shit!" moments, shocking occurrences, and gore, as well, as strong acting and you get a flick worth your time. It will begin streaming this Thursday on Shudder, be sure to see it then.

 

3 out of 4 

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ADRIENNE BARBEAU, GIANCARLO ESPOSITO AND TOBIN BELL CAST IN CREEPSHOW ADAPTATION OF STEPHEN KING’s “GRAY MATTER”

Picture comes courtesy of Shudder

From the Shudder press release:

Showrunner Greg Nicotero Will Direct the Story for Series Premiere

April 3, 2019 — Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, today announced initial casting for its upcoming horror anthology series,Creepshow, based on the iconic 1982 film written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero. Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), and Tobin Bell (Saw) will star in the Stephen King story “Gray Matter,” adapted by Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi (The Commuter) and directed by series showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead).

“I feel I’m in great company getting the opportunity to direct a story written by Steve,” said Nicotero. “Between Salem’s Lot, Pet Sematary and The Stand, I’ve always found his stories rich in relatable characters forced into supernatural situations beyond their control—the everyday person’s primal fears. To visualize ‘Gray Matter’ for Creepshow with the help of Adrienne, Giancarlo and Tobin was about as good as it gets for a horror fan from Pittsburgh!”

In “Gray Matter,” Doc and Chief, two old-timers in a small, dying town, brave a storm to check on Richie, an alcoholic single father, after encountering his terrified son at the local convenience store. The story, first published in 1973, is part of King’s best-selling 1978 collection, Night Shift.

For Barbeau, “Gray Matter” represents a return to the Creepshow franchise more than 25 years after her unforgettable portrayal of “Billie” in the 1982 segment, “The Crate.” Barbeau also serves as the host of the Shudder Original podcast, She Kills.

“I was thrilled when Greg asked me to join the Creepshow world once again,” said Barbeau. “And then working with Tobin and Giancarlo, with Greg as our director, well, that was the icing on the cake — no, not that cake. Oh, you know what I mean.”

The DNA of the original movie is firmly embedded in the new series: in addition to Barbeau and King’s return to the franchise, fans will recall that writer Joe Hill (who has also contributed a story this season) played comic-book-loving “Billy” in the film’s wrap-around segments. John Harrison, who was 1st Assistant Director on 1982’s Creepshow and composed its iconic theme, is back to direct several segments of the series. And executive producer Greg Nicotero visited the first film’s set as a teenager, and contributed make-up effects to its 1987 follow-up, Creepshow 2.

With “Gray Matter,” Shudder has confirmed eight of the twelve segments that will make up Creepshow’ s six-episode season. Previously announced segments include “By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain” by Joe Hill, “House of the Head” by Josh Malerman (Bird Box), “The Companion” by Joe R. Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale, & Keith Lansdale, “The Man in the Suitcase” by Christopher Buehlman, “All Hallows Eve” by Bruce Jones, “Night of the Paw” by John Esposito, and “Bad Wolf Down” by Rob Schrab. Additional titles and casting will be announced soon. The series is scheduled to wrap production later this week in Atlanta, GA.

Shudder’s Creepshow is produced by the Cartel with Monster Agency Productions, Taurus Entertainment, and Striker Entertainment: Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, and Eric Woods are executive producers for the Cartel; Greg Nicotero and Brian Witten are executive producers for Monster Agency Productions; Robert Dudelson, James Dudelson and Jordan Kizwani are executive producers for Taurus Entertainment; Russell Binder is executive producer and Marc Mostman co-executive producer for Striker Entertainment. Creepshow will premiere on Shudder later this year.

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ABOUT SHUDDER

AMC Networks’ SHUDDER is a premium streaming video service, super-serving fans of all degrees with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. SHUDDER’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Germany on most streaming devices for 4.99/month or 49.99/year. To experience SHUDDER commitment-free for 7 days, visit www.shudder.com.

ABOUT THE CARTEL

Founded in 2011 and run by partners Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, Evan Corday, Geoff Silverman, and Eric Woods, the Cartel is a feature film and television production, management, and financing company representing top-tier showrunners, show creators, writers, directors, producers and production companies in film, TV and new media. The Cartel has also been involved in more than 50 movie and television productions since inception, including the upcoming animated series “Twelve Forever” for Netflix, the upcoming unscripted series “Hunting Abroad” for A&E’s FYI, and previously production for the series “Ties That Bind” for Up TV, and “A Place in the Sun” for Discovery as well as several recent feature films, including “Switched for Christmas,” “Jeepers Creepers 3,” “Christmas Connection,” “Love at the Shore,” “Sun Sand and Romance,” “Love at First Glance,” and “Wrong Nanny,” to name a few. The Cartel recently signed a co-production deal with Reel One Entertainment to produce and co-finance 40 films over the next three years. In 2013, the Cartel purchased and renovated Tamarind Lithography Studios, which is their Los Angeles headquarters, as well as a full-service production and post-production complex. The Cartel also has offices in London, England and New York, NY. www.CartelHQ.com

ABOUT MONSTER AGENCY PRODUCTIONS

Monster Agency Productions is Greg Nicotero's production company run by Brian Witten. 

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