A man with spiritualist powers is told by his mentor that a demonic entity is returning to destroy his daughter’s soul and that he should take drastic measures to prevent this from happening.
Arthur (Ademir Esteves) spends his life haunted by murdered victims who sporadically appear out of nowhere to communicate with him. He has tried to make peace with his curse by getting justice on their behalf, reporting their killers to the police. Still living a life of anxiety and fear, he is called to help a woman whose daughter is marked by an evil spirit. Unfortunately, Arthur tells her that it is too late and the spirit will eventually consume her. She leaves behind a young girl named Michele (Luara Pepita) and he raises her as his own child. Years later, when he discovers she is doomed like her mother, he makes the ultimate decision to end both their lives. After going online and carefully studying the murders of a serial killer named Charles (Ricardo Casella), Arthur hires him to carry out his mission, but we find out in the end that for Charles, there is a heavy price to pay.
This film reminds me of a mixture of ’90s horror pictures, soap operas, and real-life murder mysteries. The torturous scenes were very horrific and I thought Ademir Esteves did a wonderful job portraying Arthur who is such a hurt, remorseful character. I love the sequence of the film starting with the footage of Charles and his victims because it becomes clear who he is and what he is capable of. We move onto Arthur’s backstory which breaks down how he came to this point in his life, and why he pays Charles to murder himself and his daughter. This leaves you wondering what would make someone even consider such an unimaginable act.
I liked the film, I think it has a very old soap opera type feel to it but still keeps somewhat of a movie style; not sure if this was on purpose, but it worked for me. This movie gives you enough suspense and shock that you want to stay to the end. I do, however, think it would have been just as strong if some of Arthur’s backstory was shortened. Definitely worth seeing and NOT for the squeamish!
Now playing in select theaters
