A Cursed Man

This was a hard watch. It had an interesting premise but the film on a whole was extremely bland. The dialogue is forced, the interviews are awkward, and the host has no personality. The only positive I can mention is that some of the cinematography was nice. I decided to rent this on Amazon prime for $5, and it feels like the only thing that was cursed was my wallet. Skip this one.

I now have to fill an extra 300 characters for this review to publish so I am just going to list adjectives that describe this film: Boring, generic, cheesy, bland, uninteresting, drawn out, time wasting, unsatisfying, uninspired.

As is typical with this type of documentary, there's really no pay off at the end. The reason for that is quite simple: this stuff simply does not exist. Imagine if it did. There'd be as many documentaries about demons and curses as there are about Hitler or 9/11. And by documentaries I mean serious documentaries, the stuff that HBO knock out now and again, not the rubbish you see on Discovery Plus or Really in the noughties. I'm looking at you, Ghost Adventures and Most Haunted.

Still, I thought I'd give this one a shot in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, something out-of-the-ordinary and strange happens. Perhaps curses are real after all! Spoiler alert: nothing much happens, and curses aren't that real. I mean, stuff does happen, like sacrificing birds at an altar and brandishing a handwritten note to Satan whilst you beg for some medical misfortune in your life, but nothing happens that convinces me that any of this stuff is any more genuine than caught-on-camera poltergeist activity or having your prayers answered.

I am in no doubt that the people featured in this documentary sincerely believe that what they are participating in is real. You'd really have to have that mindset to get on all fours and crawl around a cauldron like an idiot whilst shouting nonsense in the hopes of ridding someone of a recently acquired curse. But just because you think it's real and act like it's real doesn't actually make it real, a lesson that poor Liam learnt late-on when he flung himself off his bicycle and blamed his subsequently grazed knee on Lucifer. Got to wrap the documentary up somehow, eh?

The cinematography and editing is actually very well done, which is why I have given it two stars. It's a shame about the subject matter, and the subject himself, who seems like a nice and decent bloke but has about as much screen presence and charisma as a wall of wet paint.

I truly enjoyed A Cursed Man. It raises compelling questions about belief, fate, and the power of ritual. Are we genuinely connected to a higher power, or is it our belief system that gives meaning to these experiences? It was fascinating to watch, especially the moment when Liam asked to be cursed. I kept wondering how he felt in that moment, was it fear, conviction, or curiosity? How did he rationalize such a bold act? Is it possible that the power of suggestion alone can trigger real change through ritual? This documentary stays with you and challenges your understanding of cause and effect.

A CURSED MAN

Gripping and unsettling, A Cursed Man is a fascinating dive into the unknown that challenges the boundaries of belief and reality. Filmmaker Liam Le Guillou embarks on a daring experiment, subjecting himself to alleged dark magic to test its effects firsthand. What follows is a tense and thought-provoking journey that blends eerie encounters with scientific insight, raising profound questions about the power of the mind and the consequences of belief.

The documentary's strength lies in its ability to maintain a sense of skepticism while fully immersing the audience in an unsettling atmosphere. Le Guillou approaches his subject with both curiosity and caution, leading to moments that are as unnerving as they are revelatory. The film masterfully balances eerie rituals with expert analysis, creating an experience that is both chilling and intellectually stimulating.

Visually, A Cursed Man leans into its eerie subject matter with haunting cinematography that enhances the tension. Dark, shadowy settings and ominous sound design heighten the film's unsettling tone, making even the most skeptical viewer feel a creeping sense of unease. Yet, beneath the supernatural elements, the documentary also delves into the psychology of fear, suggestion, and belief, revealing how the mind can manifest real consequences from perceived threats.

Whether you approach it as an investigation of dark magic or a psychological experiment, A Cursed Man is undeniably compelling. It lingers long after the credits roll, leaving viewers to question the true power of curses - whether supernatural or self-inflicted.

A must-watch and well worth the price of admission.

As someone intrigued by the unknown but not superstitious, A Cursed Man was right up my alley. It's a great watch for both skeptics and believers. I would recommend this film to anyone who seeks to walk a little on the wild side for answers. What makes A Cursed Man stand out is its ability to walk the fine line between science and spirituality. The documentary doesn't just present eerie stories or unexplained phenomena, it actively explores the intersection of belief and reason. It invites the viewer to question whether we are all connected in ways we don't fully understand and what that might mean on a deeper, spiritual level. Liam, does an excellent job of leading the audience through his journey. His approach is neither overly skeptical nor blindly accepting; instead, he listens with an open mind, allowing the people he interviews to share their experiences and beliefs fully. Making it feel less like a one-sided argument and more like an exploration of possibilities.