By Mark Young
Religious horror, when it hits the mark, remains one of the genre’s most unsettling corners. There’s something inherently disturbing about stories rooted in organised faith—particularly its darker, fringe offshoots—and Diabolic taps into that unease with confidence.
Diabolic, an Australian production starts on the front foot, establishing the traumatic events that will dominate later. Elise, suffering from returning and increasing psychotic events that force her to confront the past. Is it imagined, or is it the result of a deeply buried horror her mind is trying to forget?
This is a genuinely creepy and unsettling film; they take time to establish the players and imbue them with a life that engages you. It slowly builds that feeling of unease, early scenes of breakdown are dealt with in a way that doesn’t cheapen those with real PTSD or mental health issues. Its this grounding that wins it with me, the time they have taken in making it believable. It doesn’t strive to paint religious outfits as one thing or another, its simply part of the narrative.
Of course, for those looking for gore then you need to look elsewhere and let’s face it there are a ton of films out there that will scratch that itch. Diabolic is offering you a more measured experience where you can sit back and be absorbed by its story.
Beautifully shot, with sumptuous visuals and a story that is inspired by a number of different events that whilst fantastical, are handled from a real life perspective. All involved are playing to their strengths and overall it’s a decent addition to the supernatural genre.
Diabolic is available now on digital and physical media.
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