Here comes the devil

This is a very weird movie. Almost feels like exploitation. And while this is a hard sell, the way it is portrayed and played is really great. There are some holes in the plot and you might wonder about motives and actions of the main characters (especially the mother), but it all fits into the rhythm of the movie and the way it tells the story, no matter how out there it seems.

The acting is really good and for a small budget movie this really knows how to set the mood. This is something that some other movies miss out on. If you can dig that, you will also dig the abyss this movie opens from time to time. Ending something like this, is always a fine line. And I think they did a really good job here with that too ...

It only took two of his movies to make me an avid follower of Adrián García Bogliano. He's the type of cinematic artist I deeply respect and even am somewhat jealous of. We're about the same age, but at "barely" 32 years old Bogliano accomplished nearly a dozen of long feature horror films. And although I'm certainly not claiming his movies are bona fide genre masterpieces, they are definitely interesting to explore and – on a more personal note – the type of movies that I'm looking for the most. They are raw, brutal and nihilistic low-budget exploitation efforts that genuinely re-create the atmosphere of horror during the 70's and early 80's. His "Room for Tourists", for example, is one of the cruelest torture-porn flicks out there and especially his "I'll Never Die Alone" is pretty much the only modern day rape & revenge flick that truly lives up to the prototypes of the seventies, such as "I Spit on your Grave" and "Last House on the Left". Evidently I was very eager to catch his newest effort "Here Comes the Devil" when it played at the Brussels' Festival of Fantastic Films, because it allegedly concerns a homage to the devilish cult flicks of the 70's and one giant homage to "Picnic at Hanging Rock". Bogliana again didn't disappoint, although it's different from his previous work and emphasizing more on character depth and disturbing atmosphere. Our director moved up from Argentina to Mexico for this film (I sincerely hope he isn't on his way to Hollywood!) and serves a compelling cocktail of drama, occult thriller and vigilante action. During a family day trip, Felix and Sol's preteen son and daughter request to go on a hiking trip up a hill while their parents "relax" in the car. They don't come back down, though, and the parents spend a long and petrifying night in a nearby motel. But the kids suddenly show up again the next morning, unharmed and just in a minor state of shock, and they all happily return home together. Over the next few days, however, Felix and Sol witness their children behaving increasingly bizarre and asocial. They presume their offspring fell victim to a perverted child molester and promptly seek for vengeance, but in reality something far more disturbing happened to Adolfo and Sara. They seem possessed by dark forces and deliberately head back to the hillside… The slow and sinister pacing, as well as the detailed character drawings, are the main trumps that make "Here Comes the Devil" such a haunting and unsettling thriller. Felix and Sol are very identifiable characters and, especially if you're a parent yourself, you'll mildly cheer for their unlawful (and slightly inconsiderate) decisions. Bogliano masterfully mounts the tension steadily and professionally towards a nearly unbearable climax that is – admittedly – somewhat derivative and vague, but most of all harrowing. Stellar performances from the ensemble cast, gorgeous filming locations and the exact right amount of blood and violence also contribute in making this is a true gem. Please, if you love real horror, leave all the nowadays CGI ghost and zombie crap for what it is and dig into the repertoire of Adrían García Bogliano.

"Here Comes the Devil" by Adrián García Bogliano is a captivating exploration of parental love, supernatural dread, and the fragility of family unity. Set against the sun-drenched yet ominous backdrop of Tijuana, the film begins with the disappearance of two children during a family outing. When they return the next morning, something feels disturbingly different, sparking their parents' investigation into an initial suspicion of abuse-only to uncover something far darker at play.

What sets this film apart is its daring blend of styles and themes. Rooted in the eerie atmospheres of 1970s horror cinema, "Here Comes the Devil" evokes the classics with its grainy visuals, rapid zooms, and low-budget charm. These stylistic choices, while seemingly amateurish at times, contribute to the film's unsettling rhythm, keeping viewers engaged as the story unravels.

Bogliano crafts a layered narrative that juxtaposes familial devotion with themes of possession, loss of innocence, and diabolical influence. The supernatural presence-though never explicitly shown-looms large, manifesting through the children's chilling behavior and the fracturing of their parents' relationship. This subtle approach heightens the tension, proving that psychological and emotional terror can be far more effective than overt scares.

The film's opening scene-a shocking mix of explicit sexuality and brutal violence-sets the tone for a story that refuses to shy away from provocative territory. As the narrative progresses, the mother's increasing belief in a malevolent force contrasts sharply with the father's rational skepticism, creating a compelling dynamic that anchors the escalating horror in relatable human conflict.

The final act shifts focus to familiar horror tropes, including possessed children and supernatural forces, yet it handles them with a fresh sense of dread and ambiguity. The closing moments, deliberately unresolved, leave viewers pondering the pervasive nature of evil and the enduring vulnerability of the human spirit.

It succeeds as an effective horror film that prioritizes atmosphere and emotional resonance over cheap thrills. It is a haunting meditation on parental fear, the loss of innocence, and the darkness that lies just beneath the surface of normalcy.

Although the devil is never explicitly seen, his presence is felt through the actions of the children and the breakdown of the family. The title "Here Comes the Devil" suggests that evil is always present, ready to corrupt.

On the way home to Tiajuana, Mom and Dad stop at a rest stop and their two children want to do some exploring in the nearby caves. (No one seems to consider that there are rattlesnakes and mountain lions in this part of Mexico). The children don't come back, and the parents call the police. The police find the children the next morning and return them to the parents. When the children come home, it slowly becomes obvious that something happened to them in the cave.

This movie is about dread, sex and possession, and it takes the audience down a few blind alleys before it gets to the payoff. However, when it does pay off, it is the stuff of nightmares. Creeping sense of "ick" gives way to horror in the last ten minutes.

Finally, most kids love horror movies, especially if there are kids in them. This is NOT a movie for kids.

This movie has pretty good pacing. The parents are very realistic and the kids are effective as well. A pretty good small production foreign film. The subtitles in English and Spanish audio was a problem. English audio is necessary in 2022 in the states.