Movie 13: Asmodexia

The box art seems simpler than this movie actually is.

Starring: Alberto Berro, Marta Belmonte, Pepo Blasco, Roser Bundo, Ramon Canals.

Director: Marc Carrete

So, this is going to be a challenge.  Trying to write a blog post while watching a subtitled movie.  Luckily for me, I have seen this film before and it wasn't too long ago.  Maybe eight months ago or so?  This is probably a good place to remind everyone reading this that this is not a spoiler-free blog, considering this movie is basically one long misdirect.  So, if you're reading this and haven't seen the film, go watch the film and come back.  If memory serves me well-and it sometimes doesn't, 'cause I'm getting old-it's worth watching.

It's kind of unfortunate, watching this thing while knowing what's going to happen.  Honestly, the best part if probably the twist ending...and the ending is actually kinda obvious once you know what you're looking for.

The central idea behind "Asmodexia" is a simple one: A Preacher and his Grand-Daughter are spending the last three days before The Resurrection on a pilgrimage exorcising demons from folks on their way to the site of said Resurrection.  Meanwhile, some weird ass shit is going on in a mental hospital.

I think that the hardest part of writing this is looking away from the screen, really.  The cinematography and scenery is gorgeous.  There's this constant use of massive set pieces that are in states of decay: an old, rotted out church, a community center with empty swimming pools, covered in graffiti, long stretches of dirt roads and browning fields.  The camera just floats effortlessly over these sights, with big sweeping camera moves.  It's extraordinary to look at.

There's great use of color, too: everything outside has a hot, red filter cast over everything.  Then, in contrast, the mental hospital is very blue and cold.  It's simple, but it's a nice touch.

The key to this movie is really contrast.  As Alma and her Grandfather wander the countryside, things are slow and ponderous.  They tell stories around campfires and spout quotes of wisdom and purpose.  Meanwhile, at the hospital, things go chaotic and the camera work is frenzied, with quick cuts and creepy imagery.

Story-wise, this movie is pretty simple but told in a very vague way.  I mean, the language barrier doesn't help-even with subtitles, things seem lost in translation-but it reveals very little real information but infers things that aren't so complicated. 

There are scenes of the Grandfather that I feel are unforgettable: his murder of the bicycle kid (who was going to kill Alma for Jeebus, and his bellowing of Lucifer's biblical lines over the valley..excellent scenes.

Once the twist becomes known: that Alba hasn't been exorcising demons at all, but Angels...it all really falls into place.  Especially once the woman in the mental hospital reveals herself as the hooded "antagonist" and, for the most part, explains the plot: Alma and her Grandfather have been setting free cultists and demons from oppression by the side of God...it's such a nice little twist. The Cop ending up on the side of the cult is kinda anticlimactic, but mostly because it was a side plot that really didn't need to happen.

Final thoughts: Not all the performances work, and the story is admittedly muddled on occasion, but this is otherwise a very strong film.  The twist is sort of everything: once the reality of the situation is revealed, it's very clever and brings everything together nicely, but getting to that point can be a somewhat frustrating process.  Given that they had to obfuscate the real meaning of events in the story, it makes sense that it's muddled, but it's muddled nonetheless,  It is beautifully photographed and has amazing art direction to cover up it's weaknesses, though.  Strong little possession film.

Final Rating: 3 and a half stars.