Evil Never Dies

EVIL NEVER DIES is an odd movie indeed, a Norfolk-set ghost story that occasionally recalls the classic stories of M. R. James but at other times turns into a cheap gangster movie. The budget is low as is the scope, leaving this an intriguing oddity more than anything else.

As with many low budget British films these days (and they tend to be gangster films), special attention has been paid to getting as many familiar faces shoehorned into the story as possible. The leads, Tony Scannell and his antagonist Graham Cole, are both from THE BILL, while Katy Manning will be well known to sci-fi fans as a Dr Who assistant back in the day. Finally, we get tough guy actor P. H. Moriarty (THE LONG GOOD Friday) as a scenery-chewing crime boss.

The film's plot involves a former gangster just released from prison. He's now an old man, haunted both psychologically and physically by ghosts from the past. His new life is interrupted by a spate of mildly gory murders, and it all makes sense come a twist ending. EVIL NEVER DIES isn't badly made, but it is all over the place tonally and it's not as satisfying as I'd hoped. Fans of low budget British films might find it more of interest.

The plot follows Harry Payne who lives a very unsettled life even as an ex-gangster now seeking a new start after his release from incarceration. After settling in a small community to be near his wife committed to a close by hospice for mental issues, more troubles come to Harry Payne. He becomes the prime suspect of a series of brutal murders while dealing with the reputation that has followed him. However there are more maleficent works at play. "The Haunting Of Harry Payne" is a modern blend of supernatural thriller and murder mystery twisted into one chillingly good tale.

The story of "The Haunting Of Harry Payne" isn't over-complicated or extremely complex but there is enough depth within this drama to keep you enthralled from start to finish. With just enough layers of past, and present to build the characters and still keep you in suspense. Thankfully the actors all give stellar performances that bring the story alive convincingly without overstating or becoming a hindrance. Plus the ending is one that I did not see coming at all. And the supernatural element is a creepy, haunting one that rises to a delightful finale that does not disappoint.

The effects and kills are on the tamer side of horror with most of the deaths taking place just beyond camera's reach-so gore-hounds may be a bid disappointed. However I don't think they will be any less entertained by the deaths because they are more classical moments that tease the brutality with screams, blood-splatter and a few moments of carnage but all in context. The story is a really mature, well executed blend of all the elements that make film's like this practically brilliant on the whole. "The Haunting Of Harry Payne" is a film that should entertain almost any horror fan!

John Mangan's debut screenwriting does himself credit in this strange supernatural gangster thriller. Especially made with such a low budget crew. I really enjoyed this from start to finish. Music was really epic. Most epic thing I've seen set in Norfolk.