The horror presented by Argentine film maker, Demián Rugna’s When Evil Lurks, is disturbingly revolting and emotionally devastating, at the same time.
There is barely a time to catch breath in what many deemed the scariest horror film of 2023. When Evil Lurks truly lives up to its title, by relentlessly delivering unsettling dosages of gore, violence, and terror. Be that as it may, there is even a bigger possibility of losing your heart to the traumatic journey that the characters had to go through, in order to escape the fiendish wrath of the Evil being pursued, in this impressive psychological possession horror.
An Argentine town is infested by a devilish phenomenon, believed to have been inflicted by an unborn evil. Two brothers, Pedro (Ezequiel Rodriguez) and Jaime (Demian Solomon), embark in a pursuit of the unborn evil. Once they found the Rotten, a being infected and possessed by the unborn evil, they enlisted the help of wealthy landlord, Ruiz, to dispose its swollen and deteriorating body. Did they do the right thing? The streak of terrorizing tragedies that will soon befall the town, suggests otherwise.
When Evil Lurks is a horror like no other. At least, for me, I haven’t seen something that almost made me both throw up because of its disturbingly gross imagery, and also leave the theater heartbroken, because of the unspeakably unsettling cruelty, Pedro and his family, had to confront. It’s a horror with a visceral appeal. What makes it even more effective, however, is the singular portrayal pulled off by each actor. It’s a grim psycho-drama with more than enough emotional moments to rip your heart apart. My heart belonged to Rodriguez throughout the 99-minute run of the film, but there is no denying the rest of the film’s ultra-talented ensemble also delivered spectacularly.
The script Rugna wrote for the film is deliciously meticulous, teeming with unexpected turns and twists, at moments you’re utterly unprepared. Sophistication perpetually shows in his artistic choices for the film; the nerve-juddering dread, its harrowing and heart-rending moments are ones that will surely make you remember how brilliantly written and acted this potential horror classic, is.
Distributed by CreaZion Studios in the Philippines, When Evil Lurks hit local cinemas on December 6. Watch the official full trailer below:
