Asmodexia (2014)

Just so...so bad

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Eloy is a cult leader who travels by foot with his granddaughter Alba. They perform a 1 minute exorcism. They just know where to go. The time is right before 12/21/2012 the "end" time for the Mayan prophecy which is blended with Biblical prophecy. Meanwhile there is a woman in a mental institution with her sister, a policewoman who is investigating the strange occurrences. The weather is unseasonable warm as the world is about to "reverse" whatever that is.The film is pretty much as expected. Once we see the flashback film of the cult, we get a good idea what is going on. The twist at the end was not totally unexpected and it was a bit boring.Wasn't worth sitting through with subtitles.Guide: F-bombs. No sex or nudity. Some blood.

The synopsis is actually very scant in that it basically said this was four days in the lives of two exorcists working in the Barcelona area; so a bit of Gaudi, God and Satan sort of thing - but no. It follows the story of Eloy and his granddaughter, Alba, and they at first appear impoverished but are on a foretold mission to save 'souls'. Now to say any more could reveal too much so that the slow feed of twists and revelations (no pun intended) are spoiled. I kept thinking I had it all worked out and each time I was left surprised.It is all acted exceptionally well and is obviously an indie effort but it does not really show. The locations are great too adding to the atmosphere of the piece. This is not a slasher though so please avoid if that is your thing. It also covers areas you would not have expected. I have to say I was really impressed with this – mostly in Spanish with good to OK sub titles this is one for folk who like things to be a bit different.

I liked this movie, a lot. I thought it was beautifully shot, that scene at the end was great. I appreciated the lack of nudity and cheap entertainment, so many films now rely on sex, exaggerated gore and flinch scares. This movie does not. I liked the original plot, a sort of exorcism in reverse. The soundtrack was amazing, real talent there. I liked this director too. I guess this is his first film? Couldn't tell. Thdv I'm looking forward to more, this guy has talent and vision. The reason why I have it a 6 and not higher? Pacing... For a large part of the movie you have no idea what is going on,, and I think it took away from the movie. I think in this case it would have added to the suspense. The other reason is the video tapes from before that are labeled just that. Tapes from before 1997. Those were the worst part of the movie and we could have done without them.. If the script has opened up some, it would have been a 10. Not scary but entertaining.

Based in the Mayan mythology that the year 2012 would be the beginning of a new era, ASMODEXIA is not the typical film about exorcism. In fact as the viewer will see along the plot it has not much to do with Christian faith... At the beginning it seems it has but then we start realizing that priest is not a disciple of Christ! At the end there is a nice twist in the plot that shows it clearly.The production is very good, in the great level we are used to from recent Spanish cinema. It's suspenseful, mysterious and it's filmed in some abandoned places that are really spooky. The acting could have been better though. It's not generally bad but it could have been better at parts...Overall I think the positive features of this film are the nice production and the open ending with that final twist. Asmodeus was set free...