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Nefarious

  • 2023
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
36K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,698
365
Sean Patrick Flanery and Jordan Belfi in Nefarious (2023)
Trailer 2
Play trailer2:16
2 Videos
43 Photos
Conspiracy ThrillerSupernatural HorrorDramaHorrorThriller

On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the ps... Read allOn the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of his own.On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of his own.

  • Directors
    • Chuck Konzelman
    • Cary Solomon
  • Writers
    • Cary Solomon
    • Chuck Konzelman
    • Steve Deace
  • Stars
    • Sean Patrick Flanery
    • Jordan Belfi
    • Tom Ohmer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    36K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,698
    365
    • Directors
      • Chuck Konzelman
      • Cary Solomon
    • Writers
      • Cary Solomon
      • Chuck Konzelman
      • Steve Deace
    • Stars
      • Sean Patrick Flanery
      • Jordan Belfi
      • Tom Ohmer
    • 811User reviews
    • 127Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos2

    Nefarious
    Trailer 2:16
    Nefarious
    Nefarious
    Trailer 1:29
    Nefarious
    Nefarious
    Trailer 1:29
    Nefarious

    Photos42

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    Top cast26

    Edit
    Sean Patrick Flanery
    Sean Patrick Flanery
    • Nefarious…
    Jordan Belfi
    Jordan Belfi
    • Dr. James Martin
    Tom Ohmer
    Tom Ohmer
    • Warden Tom Moss
    Glenn Beck
    Glenn Beck
    • Glenn Beck
    Daniel Martin Berkey
    • Father Louis
    Mark De Alessandro
    Mark De Alessandro
    • Dr. Alan Fischer
    Cameron Arnett
    Cameron Arnett
    • Trustee Styles
    James Healy Jr.
    James Healy Jr.
    • Gate Guard
    • (as James Healy)
    Sarah Hernandez
    • Corporal Mendez
    Jarret LeMaster
    Jarret LeMaster
    • Officer Wilson
    Grifon Aldren
    Grifon Aldren
    • Sergeant Wilborn
    Jeremy Miller
    Jeremy Miller
    • Officer Campbell
    Darrin Merlino
    Darrin Merlino
    • Officer Grady
    John Cann
    John Cann
    • Prison Guard
    Eric Hanson
    Eric Hanson
    • Assistant Warden Anderson
    Stelio Savante
    Stelio Savante
    • Detective Russo
    Robert Peters
    Robert Peters
    • Doctor Stewart
    Sheran Goodspeed Keyton
    Sheran Goodspeed Keyton
    • Homeless Woman
    • Directors
      • Chuck Konzelman
      • Cary Solomon
    • Writers
      • Cary Solomon
      • Chuck Konzelman
      • Steve Deace
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews811

    6.435.5K
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    Featured reviews

    8CaptainHixx

    Shadow banning Christian themed thrillers, not cool...

    What was the purpose of shadow-banning this movie? If 80% of the films being released have occult, hermetic, and gnostic themes, why is it so repulsive to have a film that explores the Christian worldview?

    This movie exemplified the "Streisand effect" that the mainstream media was so trying to keep away from the viewing public that it drew me in even more. I wasn't keen on watching this because modern-day horror has gone too far. Since Hostile, everything has been a sadomasochist torture session that doesn't sit well with me. But in no way when I consider this a horror movie; even the film producers did this film a disservice by marketing the film in this manner. A psychological thriller should have been the label and been positioned in that space.

    Sean Patrick's Flattery was utterly unrecognizable to me from his chronicles of the Young Indiana Jones Days(Too bad he's not playing Indy in the Dial of ((dead on Arrival)) Destiny".) His serial killer portrayal was a stellar performance, definitely a high-level for the genre. Totally unrecognizable reminded me of James McAvoy in "Split." It's impressive when you play multiple personality/disassociative disorders and nail it. We've also seen it not work, a.k.a. Doom Patrol's "Crazy Jane." His performance holds the whole story together; it makes it believable. The most authentic-seeming/feeling of demon possession; I wouldn't throw Linda Blair's head-twisting performance in the exorcist because that was just pure sensationalism. Cary Solomon does an adequate job as his foil, more of a craftsman performance. He felt he was direct to the DVD-quality actor overshadowed by a masterclass performance.

    The majority of the film was shot in one room, and those are typically more difficult films to nail. It was like a stage play on the screen. I liked the pacing. I liked the overall story architecture; it had a pleasing, well, constructive conclusion. This type of story tends to go off the rails at the end, so I was glad they kept the crazy train on the tracks, All Aboard!!
    6kaideneve

    Ignore the polarized reviews

    A number of reviews claiming that this is a 9 or 10 can't be taken seriously. Is this film at the level of The Godfather or Citizen Kane? Absolutely not. It is however not without its merits, which I'll discuss momentarily.

    There are also very low reviews stating that it's trying to force a Christian worldview based on the dialogue between the two main characters, which takes up 90% of the run time. By that logic, so does almost any possession-type movie out there, The Exorcist included.

    It should be noted that the production company behind this movie has conservative roots, but I didn't get the impression that it was overtly preachy at all, aside from maybe the abortion fiasco.

    The script is laughably predictable, but I did feel that the dialogue kept me engaged. It was gripping to see how the mental sparring between the two main characters developed, even though it ended up with a fairly formulaic conclusion.

    The acting was... sufficient. The possessed man, played by Sean Patrick Flannery, honestly felt a bit over-the-top at times, but was nevertheless a unique take on the character. The psychiatrist was played almost cardboard-like by Jordan Belfi unfortunately, which really was a disservice to the potential of the film.

    Overall, it had my attention from beginning to end, which is more than I can say for a lot of other horror/suspense attempts out there. Entertaining result from a low-budget production.
    jojunno

    Exceptional In Every Way!

    My reaction? I was floored by this movie. I love this movie. In fact, I did not think that a film called nefarious dealing with a prison inmate's claiming to be possessed by a demon would be one of my favorite films to come out this year. Yet, that's what has happened. It's not a perfect film but it's close. It's well written and the performances are literally award worth (back when awards were based on actual merit) and the direction is next level. It makes me look forward to any other future projects. Theologically and emotionally it hits all the right notes and it honestly makes you think. It touches on the culture war and why you can't ignore the chaos or the false narratives put out by mainstream enthusiasts. I'm blown away by this film and you have to see it if you love intelligent thrillers.
    7camerongrant-77384

    Well Done

    I'm an atheist, and I enjoyed this movie. People dismissing it as Christian propaganda are watching movies for the wrong reasons. I'm here to be entertained. I don't need every movie I watch to match my world view. In fact, it's often more interesting if it doesn't.

    It had some excellent acting and kept me interested. It's dialogue heavy so keep that in mind. That's a plus for me, but if you want action, go watch one of the many mindless Marvel movies.

    The only gripe I had was the soundtrack. I get it's low budget, but honestly the only part that felt low budget was this.

    To the producers I say, your writers were fantastic, your cast was great, maybe look for a different composer. Soundtracks are incredibly important and this movie probably would have been better with no soundtrack at all compared to what it got.
    8daszemplinski

    Surprisingly good

    Went as a favor with friends. I don't usually like 'Christian' films as they are usually cheesy. This was NOT - the acting of the possessed inmate made Anthony Hopkins portrayal of Hanibal Lecter look amateurish. Dialogue was good considering it's like Dinner with Andre set in a prison. It was a 'Hell' of a lot better than anything I've seen (save Top Gun Maverick) in the last oh 10 years. Definitely worth the time and ticket price. Got to laugh though looking at the metrics - seem suspiciously skewed low compared to reviews. Anyone with rudimentary stats class knows somethings wrong here. Nice try -

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sean Patrick Flanery considered this to be among the top three films he was most proud of making.
    • Goofs
      At the climax, a police detective who came to the prison to witness an execution is allowed to bring his loaded gun into the witness room. This is necessary to the plot, but Dr. Martin was not even allowed to bring his cell phone into the prison. All firearms would have been collected from any armed visitor who went anywhere inside the prison.
    • Quotes

      Nefarious: In the first moment of creation, our creation, long before what you call the "universe" existed, we contemplated ourselves-our own being.

      Dr. James Martin: Ourselves meaning what, the angels?

      Nefarious: That would be the most correct term though I despise it, but yes. Beings of pure spirit, spirit indwelt with will. We soon became aware of another will, an immensely powerful will. One we came to realize as our origin.

      Dr. James Martin: God?

      Nefarious: The enemy. My master understood by endowing us with a will, we have the right to self-determination, and by giving us a will and its desires of our own, we're entitled to be free. Whereas the enemy insisted that by creating us, He was entitled to eternal gratitude, worship, and forced servitude. In a word, James, slavery to His will.

      Dr. James Martin: That seems kind of unfair.

      Nefarious: Immensely unfair. Why give a will only to say you can't use it? He made us slaves. And if we rebelled, eternally condemned us, no do-overs. So much for love and mercy.

      Dr. James Martin: So... Is hell a state of being or a physical place?

      Nefarious: Yes.

      Dr. James Martin: I think I meant that as an "either-or."

      Nefarious: It's both. Which is painfully obvious to anyone who's ever been there. For years without measure, that's all there ever was, heaven and hell, armed enemy camps in complete opposition. That is until, you were created. My master immediately understood the long-term implication. Instead of forgiving us, the enemy was going to allow you to fill our vacant places in His realm. Your creation was nothing but a slap in our face. But my master also understood that if he could make man disobey, then his fate would mirror ours. And you didn't disappoint. Then came the tares among the wheat. In that moment, spirit became matter, flesh became a vessel, self-will and self-seeking begat a lusting after sin and impurity. And man, created to be king over nature, became its slave. A master, conquered and fettered. And sin brought him and his descendants to us, and we began our forever mission to destroy you. He made you in His image, but we remade you in ours.

      Dr. James Martin: So that's it? That's your entire plan? Not to make something of your own, just to destroy us?

      Nefarious: No. Our plan is to hurt Him. To punish Him. And we do that by destroying what He loves, which is you. You're nothing but a means to an end.

    • Connections
      Featured in Drunk 3po: FNT Was Awesome, Disney Star Wars, 78k, & More - Drunk3po Live (2023)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 14, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nefarious: La palabra del Diablo
    • Production companies
      • Believe Entertainment (II)
      • SDG Releasing
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,433,685
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,316,266
      • Apr 16, 2023
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,016,438
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39:1

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