Blending television broadcast, government conspiracy & powerful witchcraft into an unnerving chiller, History of the Occult is a politically charged & patiently manifesting horror that steadily escalates into a full-fledged nightmare as it progresses, and also benefits from the foreboding atmosphere, surreal imagery, sustained tension & convincing performances.
Written & directed by Cristian Ponce, the story follows the final episode of a famous journalism show that's hosting its last guest who may expose a conspiracy that connects the government with an obscure secret society. Ponce draws the context from Argentine history for his film and it's also the key to deciphering its layers which makes it more suited to the local demographic.
While the unfolding series of events are difficult to follow at times and don't make sense without context to an outsider, the execution of the eerie elements interacting with ongoing investigation does invoke a creepy aura that crawls under the skin. Adding more to the film's sense of unease is the uncanny camerawork, hypnotic visuals & increasing restlessness as the TV show nears its end.
Overall, History of the Occult isn't an easy film to decode in a single sitting if you don't have the means to unlock its mysteries yet the uncomfortable experience it provides from minimal resources is worth noting. There is plenty to unpack here, lots of puzzle pieces to put together but the way it plays with our perception of reality and exudes a dark, mysterious & haunting power makes it worth viewing anyway.
