The Diabolical

If you like Ali Larter you won't mind what I or anyone else for that matter will be writing about this movie. If you do care about story, you may find that there are better horror movies out there of course too. But you can't deny the movie that it does create a really nice (scary) atmosphere with some fine scares scattered along the way for the viewer to enjoy and be scared by.

Ali Larter may not have the meatiest role to play with, but she does the best she can with a situation that is anything but ideal (pun intended). Her character has a lot to go through and while there may be some easier solutions to some of the issues she's facing, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the movie nevertheless

This is the first review I'm writing since EVER because I really have to rectify all these bad ratings and reviews for this movie. First of all, the title is super misleading. This is not a ghost movie. It's more of a mix between horror and science fiction. This movie is nothing like the traditional ghost story, probably why most people are so disappointed.

I've seen people reviewing this movie who turned it off after only half an hour screen time: BIG MISTAKE! The story starts to take shape after 45 minutes and it gets really interesting from there. Small details reveal the plot and even though not all is clear at the end, I understand that some people might not get it at all and just sign it off with a low rating.

I have to admit that the plot feels a bit messy, you get dropped off in the middle of the story with creepy entities appearing and not knowing what has happened to the family beforehand. But give it a chance. You might be surprised. It is obviously not the best movie ever, but I appreciate that the makers tried something different. It's just a shame that the big audience will never like 'different' kind of movies. Many of my favorite movies have bad ratings on IMDb. Honestly, this movie is better than some blockbuster movies who appeared in the cinema. But I guess there is no arguing about matters of taste.

And to people who say that the house is too expensive for a single mom: you probably mean 'too expensive for a unemployed single mom'. Because if not, you're being really sexist.

My quick rating - 5,3/10. What starts as your typical new house happens to have some unwanted visitor movie transforms by the end into a sci fi mess that the writers could not get out of. Of course the family is haunted at night by a spirit/ghost or whatever and so the single mother (Ali Larter) seeks the help of a friend who happens to be a scientist and quite interested in the supernatural. So far very typical and along with somewhat questionable effects (old school look but effective for some reason) we plodge through some cheap scares nd very subtle clues to what is really going on. I will pretty much just stop there and allow you to figure this is all just mediocre until someone decides to alter this whole idea and insert time travel. That is when the shift changes completely along with a ridiculous tie in to the scientist and a time paradox that would put all to shame. Still shaking my head on how they thought this would work. Check it out and maybe you have a theory since the writers sure didn't. If you aren't a fan of sci fi and just strange tie ins like this, you won't like this at all. I happen to like it for the same reason but this easily can get a 3 star rating from a non-fan, that I can see as well.

The middle is where it get's interesting. You find yourself with a "Feeling" about what is going on. There are small clues that begin to tie in and if you are a cerebral movie goer then by 3/4 of the way you have everything figured out.

I liked where it was going. I predicted who was who and expected the proverbial catch-22.

Then the movie went south. In the last 45 seconds the movie undid all that it had built up. Interesting writing, good acting and then a plot that fell flat on it's own face.

It's hard to give a movie a good rating, even if 76% was done well. We all remember the bad things about people before the good and a movie is not much different.

I am unsure if the writer just ran out of ideas or did not like how limp it would have been if ended 3 minutes earlier. Sure it would have been a bit of a "Yawn" but it would have been a 5. No, let's add that final scene and drag it down to a 4 or 3.

So, be warned. What you think is the end, is not. What is left as a "Ah, that is why" comes up as a well.....they can't do that now moment.

Do not do anything until this is out on netflix or Amazon. Seriously, the ending was so flat in what is closed then opened then changed that you will be mad if you even find it at Redbox and pay .99 :)

Allow me to dissect "The Diabolical". Don't be distracted by the definite article "the" in the title as though the movie is about a diabolical being or entity exclusive to all other diabolicals. You might be disappointed if you don't find THE Diabolical.

The movie is about a single mom and her two kids experiencing some strange poltergeist type phenomena at their home. The boy, Jacob (Max Rose) has the very practical and logical idea of moving (it was quite refreshing to hear someone say, "Let's get the bleep outta here"). When the mom, Madison (Ali Larter), decides that her son may actually be on to something it is too late.

With all haunting movies there is always the "why" that must be unearthed. In the midst of finding out the "why" we are to be treated with some delectable scares and some spooky stuff along the way. "The Diabolical" is not a true poltergeist movie although it flows like one. Delightfully it breaks the mold just a wee bit and gives us something more than just a frolicking angry ghost.