The Last Exorcism Part II (Movie review)

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May 9, 2014

With the recent trend of found footage style horror films, in 2010 Daniel Stamm brought audiences The Last Exorcism. The film was highly successful raking in 67.7 million dollars worldwide and winning the Empire Awards for best horror. Three years later Canadian director Ed Gass-Donnelly collaborated with a well-respected production team of Eli Roth and Thomas A. Bliss to create the startling second chapter, The Last Exorcism Part II. Written by Damien Chazelle (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench 2009, Whiplash 2013) the film starts directly where the first movie ends.

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Though it is not imperative to have watched the first installment, The Last Exorcism, before you watch part two , it does help to have some background. If you would like to just refresh your memory here is a run down; Preacher Cotton Marcus ( played by Patrick Fabian – Teitches 2005, Must Love Dogs 2005) performs exorcisms all over a bible belt county and makes a good living from it. Marcus does not actually believe in evil, demons and exorcisms, but that will not stop him from helping those who do and profiting. This does not become a problem until he gets to the Sweetzer family home. A deeply religious family, they are convinced their teenage daughter Nell ( played by Ashley Bell -The Day 2011, The Marine 3 2013) is possessed by a demon. Cotton`s initial reaction is that because they are so deeply religious, they have put Nell`s behavior down to possession rather than a possible relationship with a boy. His beliefs and ideals are indelibly torn apart when he witnesses the full extent of Nell`s possession with fatal results. These events were shown in the found footage style; pioneered with The Blair Witch Project at the end of the twentieth century, and becoming extremely popular in the decade to follow.

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The Last Exorcism Part II is filmed from an observational point of view. Sole survivor Nell is found in a supernatural catatonic state at a random couples home. She is admitted to the hospital and is unresponsive until being bathed by Nurse Cecile ( played by Tarra Riggs – The Help 2011, Ballast 2008). The radio starts changing frequencies by itself and suddenly Nell regains consciousness. Coincidentally moments before, Nurse Sissy takes a lock of Nell`s hair for her voodoo Gris-gris bag.

Now awakened from the recent unsolved traumatic events, Nell is transferred to a group home for troubled girls under the supervision and treatment of Doctor Frank Merle ( played by Muse Watson – I Know What You Did Last Summer 1998, Austin Powers 1999). Dr. Merle’s treatment focuses on getting Nell to realize that she had been in a cult, none of it had been real, and it was all in her minds. Initially it is hard for Nell to move past, but she quickly adjusts to her new life and relishes all the sights and sounds of New Orleans. Nell progresses so well that she makes friends with her roommates, Gwen ( played by Julia Garner- The Perks of Being a Wallflower 2012, Martha Marcy May 2011), Daphne (played by Erica Michelle – American Horror Story) & Mo (Sharice A. Williams). She then gets a job and meets a boy named Chris (played by Spencer Treat Clark – Gladiator 2000, Unbreakable 2000), seemingly appearing to viewers that she has moved on from her dark past.

Despite Nell`s new found freedom Nell is always surrounded by an ominous presence, following her no matter where she goes. Masked strangers watching her, odd people saying deeply worrying things to her, stimulating her to become unhinged bit by tormented bit. Dr. Merle observes Nell falling apart and faces the possibility of having to commit her to a psychiatric unit.

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On a nightly basis strange intensely dark dreams, levitation, the strange death of one of the girls and strange symbols appearing, makes Nell quickly realize that the demon Abalam may have never left her at all. After Gwen and her friends discover her exorcism video on YouTube, Nell is left fighting her hold on reality. She begins the race for her life and spiritual freedom, not knowing who to trust as those around her start changing, and the demon’s hold tightens upon her. Can Nell change her fate or is she destined to be part of an ancient prophecy? Nurse Cecile reappears into the picture as matters get more urgent for Nell, but can she be trusted? Adding to the tension, the presence of Nell’s dead father only confuses her more as she loses her grip on her sanity.

The Last Exorcism Part II is a refreshing, exciting sequel, following the original film with equal intensity. The story line is intriguing having the audience guessing to the very end. There are plenty of twists and turns revealing what happens when they did not succeed with the exorcism and Nell gives into her dark side. The Last Exorcism Part II is a must watch movie with plenty of suspense and excellent characters. The Musical score by Michael Wandmacher who is known for his work on action and horror movies (Piranha 3D 2010, Drive Angry 2011) creates a creepy vibe for this surprisingly solid film. CrypticRock give this movie 5 out of 5 stars.