Realm of Satan works with members of the Church of Satan (not to be confused with The Satanic Temple) to show the everyday lives of those who are part of it. There is still much of the magic and mysticism associated with the group, but it aims to be more about people. It is a window into a world that is shocking and surprisingly ordinary.
Filmmaker Scott Cummings goes an interesting route with his feature length directorial debut. Instead of having a concrete narrative, Realm of Satan is a series of montages. It is an eye-catching decision that keeps audiences engaged. It is captivating watching a face painted Satanist hang their laundry out to dry or another perform close up magic.
Almost ironically, Realm of Satan falters when it tries to explore the darker aspects of the Church of Satan. While the segments involving ritualistic chanting are interesting, others come off as too staged. Watching a woman take a nap while a raven stands on her bed is just silly, and there are way too many segments with people showing off their guns. At times, the film comes off as more funny than anything else.
The worst part is that these moments detract from the true strength of the work. Using little dialogue, Realm of Satan connects with personality. Though there is not much in the way of action, each scene is a powerful piece that gives a glimpse that simultaneously hints at something much more while showcasing the similarities people have. Cummings goes against the stereotypical portrait of who a Satanist is by spending a good amount of time with one who is in a wheelchair. It is compelling and provides an entirely unique viewpoint. But it is all undone when another section involves a man with poorly CGI rendered goat legs.
That being said, the good far outweighs the bad. Realm of Satan has the expected moments of darkness, but it is a mostly grounded affair. It manages to delve into the lives of a group of people without ever being intrusive or overwhelming. It is simple, imaginative, and very entertaining.
The Sundance Film Festival takes place from January 18, 2024 – January 28, 2024
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