Have you ever found yourself so deeply engrossed in a movie, to the point where you’re compelled to offer guidance to the characters? And I’m not talking about casual advice — I mean the kind of counsel you reserve for your closest family members or dearest friends. This phenomenon isn’t triggered by just any film; it typically requires a cinematic creation with carefully crafted characters and a narrative so compelling that it draws the audience into its world, immersing them to the extent that they feel like integral participants alongside the characters on screen. These rare gems, though infrequent, make lasting impressions when discovered.
This week I had the rare chance to experience one of those films.
Shudder recently unveiled the Spanish-language film, When Evil Lurks, directed and written by Demián Rugna. The movie follows the narrative of brothers Pedro (Ezequiel Rodriguez) and Jaime (Demián Salomon), who encounter a man on the brink of birthing a demon, known as a Rotten.
Striving to rid their surroundings of this malevolent force near their family and friends, the brothers fail to perform an exorcism, accidentally spreading the dark energy. In a matter of hours, those close to them, both human and animal, exhibit unsettling behavior, perpetrating gruesome acts.
In a frantic bid to safeguard his children, Jair (Emilio Vodanovich) and Santino (Marcelo Michinaux), Pedro unwittingly extends the demonic influence to his ex-wife, Sabrina (Virginia Garófalo), her husband, Leo (Federico Liss), and daughter, Vicky (Lucrecia Nirón Talazac), setting off horrific consequences.
Racing against time as the Hellspawn’s birth looms, the brothers seek help from Mirtha (Silvina Sabater), a former exorcist, to halt this nightmare. However, the realization dawns that it might already be too late.
I have to admit that When Evil Lurks wasn’t even on my radar, initially. The film came to my attention through an unexpected email from Shudder, and after perusing some reviews, I decided to give it a shot. While foreign language films don’t usually top my preferences, When Evil Lurks quickly captivated me with its masterfully crafted story.
Almost instantly, I found myself turning on the English subtitles at the onset of the opening gore and becoming completely engrossed. Rugna has penned a narrative that maintains its intensity from the very beginning to the closing credits.
When Evil Lurks intricately blends clever and original twists into the realm of possession horror. The film not only introduces a world where demonic possessions are the norm, but also envisions a reality where governments have dedicated departments specifically assigned to deploy exorcists, referred to as “cleaners,” to handle supernatural incidents.
What sets the thriller apart is its avoidance of presenting all these details at once. Instead, it thrusts us into the midst of chaos, forcing us to discover these facts as the story unfolds. It’s akin to playing a video game, where you must gather more information as you progress through the levels to confront the ultimate challenge at the end.
However, When Evil Lurks had a profound impact on me. I felt a sense of unease after watching it, as if I needed a shower to cleanse myself. It was as though I had walked in the shoes of Pedro and Jaime. What intensified this feeling was the apparent disregard for my advice by these characters, fueling my frustration. Perhaps it stems from having seen numerous horror films over the years, leading me to believe I could offer valuable guidance, if ever faced with the macabre scenarios I’ve witnessed on screen.
I found myself earnestly trying to advise the brothers, urging them not to attempt moving the pregnant man without seeking assistance. They didn’t heed my counsel. Even when they discovered how the “disease” spread, they failed to vigorously warn others against the one action that would facilitate its transmission, despite my impassioned pleas for them to, “TRY HARDER.” In the climactic scene, I was practically shouting, “Do not do that one thing!!!”
Yet, once again, they paid no heed.
It felt as if I was immersed in the blood, sweat and dirt with these characters, and none of them possessed the basic sense to listen to a seasoned horror aficionado! A lump formed in my throat. I abhorred certain scenes as they unfolded before me, even having to avert my gaze a couple of times. Rugna has crafted a film that pushed me to a level of madness I don’t believe any other movie has achieved. It stands as one of the most remarkable feats I’ve ever witnessed.
As such, I must undoubtedly give When Evil Lurks a solid five out of five stars. Films are designed to elicit emotions from the audience. All filmmakers dream to make the viewers of their artwork feel something. Few ever really achieve the level of full envelopment that Demián Rugna was able to accomplish with this sleeper hit.
When Evil Lurks will possess your soul in a way that almost feels supernatural, taking you along for a gory and disturbing ride for 99 minutes. Check it out on Shudder.