The latest feature from the independent British filmmaker is a unique mix of supernatural horror whilst delving into the world of amateur pornography.
We follow Mary, a young girl who stumbles upon a role working in the adult film industry, which also pays £300 a day!
What she doesn’t know is production has acquired some props for ‘mise en scene’, which include an ancient and evil mask from Africa.
Once the mask acquires its first victim Mask of the Devil really shifts gear and becomes a balls-out gorefest, with some truly spectacular practical effects and creative kills.
Rowntree knows what kind of film he is making, and sprinkles in plenty of jokes and ironic kills which can only be achieved in a film set around a porno, if you catch my drift.
At a shade, over 80 minutes it doesn’t outstay its welcome with good pacing and a great cast to boot. The score from James Griffiths, which feels synth-adjacent is also another highlight.
This feels like a step up from Rowntree’s previous efforts Nefarious and Dogged and hopefully points to a bright future in the genre for the British filmmaker.
Look out for Mask of the Devil on the film festival circuit over the coming months.
Bloody Flicks 