Sister Death

NEW to Netflix, Spanish horror film Sister Death is the prequel to Veronica, and focuses on the story of Sister Narcisa (Aria Bedmar) and her first encounter with the spirit world.

Set in post-war Spain, Narcisa, a young novice with supernatural powers, arrives at a former convent, now a school for girls, to become a teacher. As the days go by, the strange events and increasingly disturbing situations that torment her will eventually lead her to unravel the terrible knot of secrets that surround the convent and haunts its inhabitants.

On its release back in 2017, the original film was hailed by Netflix as the scariest movie on the streaming service – that week, at least!

Again directed by Paco Plaza, Sister Death is more an origin story than a prequel. But it is more stylish and sober with it, and equally captivating as leading lady Bedmar, is mesmeric as the innocent and at-sea young postulant, struggling with her faith and paranormal abilities.

Sister Narcisa, played in her old age by Consuelo Trujillo, appears in the original as an ominous presence christened ‘Sister Death’.

And while the pace of Plaza’s latest film moves like molasses, the overall air of mystery and the chilling atmosphere is amped up by a far more compelling and moodier tale that draws us in and holds us in its powerful grasp.

Most of this is down to the winning performance from Bedmar, a star in the making, as well as the distinguished camerawork and lighting that adds to the God-fearing aura of dismay throughout the dark convent halls.

Sister Death is a far more memorable and enjoyable experience than its predecessor and Plaza has directed a sequel that is effectively tense and disturbing.

From the Spanish filmmaker who brought us such horror classics as Rec and Rec 2, this is a film worthy of Netflix’s braggadocious claims of ‘scariest film’ this week.

(4/5)

Evil Dead Rise

WRITTEN and directed by Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin, Evil Dead Rise is the fifth instalment in the iconic horror franchise.

And despite the fact that Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell’s only involvement is as executive producers, it still proves a more than worthy addition to the cult favourite’s fiendish cannon of contorted delights.

The film stars Lily Sullivan (I Met a Girl), Alyssa Sutherland (Vikings), Morgan Davies (Storm Boy), Gabrielle Echols (Reminiscence), and Nell Fisher (Northspur), in one of the most gratifyingly grotesque cinematic experiences of the year.

This is a twisted and blood-filled tale of two estranged sisters, Beth (Sullivan) and Ellie (Sutherland), in which the action moves from a cabin in the woods to a poorly-lit and rundown city apartment block for a family reunion from hell.

The first sequel in a decade, Evil Dead Rise is definitely not one for the faint of heart or those with a squeamish disposition. But for fans of the series, well, you ‘deadite’-loving freaks, are in for one demented rollercoaster ride that should more than sate your devilish aberrations.

What Cronin’s film lacks in wacky humour and a melee of gonzo terror-stricken nightmare scenarios, he makes up for with an intensely heart-racing gore-fest, which leaves the big screen awash in gallons and gallons of blood for its 97-minute running-time.

The director tips his hat along the way to the original Evil Dead films, the master of the dark arts Stephen King and Spanish zombie franchise Rec. But this visceral and fast-paced horror extravaganza, which will leave you reeling in breathlessness, looks like it was shot through the chum bucket from Jaws.

Evil Dead Rise is a complete bloodbath — a nightmarish family reunion where flesh-possessing demons gatecrash the get-together and hurls everyone in their path into a primal battle for survival.

There will be blood, bucketloads of it, so buckle up and ready yourself for the not to be missed horror spectacle of the year.

(4/5)