When Evil Lurks combines two of the most frightening things in the world: bloodthirsty demons and heartless bureaucracy. The residents of a small rural community have been infected by a demon. They can kill, but realistically, their only hope is to escape – if it is not already too late.
In his previous effort Terrified, writer-director Damian Rugna displayed a knack for making audiences scared and jumpy. When Evil Lurks ups the ante with some great special effects. The demon possessed victims – the rotten – are bloated, leaking, and disgusting. There are also some gruesome kills that will prevent anyone watching from getting too comfortable.
But there are more than just visceral scares. When Evil Lurks sets an uncomfortable tone. From animals being slaughtered to creepy kids to brutally honest dialogue, the film is constantly attacking its characters and, by extension, its viewers. It is a sickeningly effective experience.
This is largely due to the setting. It is established early on that the people of the town are simple and honest folk. The officials cannot be trusted to do anything right aside from making things more difficult. It adds a layer of empathy to a group that is already easy to get behind.
The addition of a new character in the second half of When Evil Lurks takes away almost all of the chaos that makes things so horrifyingly charming. The pace slows down at the same time as Rugna takes more time to explain things. The next shocking scene is never too far away making sure the movie never gets too stale, however.
When Evil Lurks comes to theaters October 6 and to Shudder October 27
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