K-Content News

(Movie Review) 'Devils Stay': tepid exorcism variation

  By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- "Devils Stay" sticks closely to the classic formula of a traditional exorcism film: a young girl possessed by a mysterious demon and a tormented exorcist fighting to save her while grappling with his own troubled past.

As part of efforts to set it apart from other exorcism tales, director Hyun Moon-seop brings a distinct Korean flair to this familiar narrative: The horror unfolds within the unique context of Korea's three-day funeral rituals, creating a tense and culturally rich backdrop as the exorcist races to cast the demon out of the teenage girl before the ceremonies conclude.

The film also places a strong emphasis on a father's refusal to accept his daughter's death and his relentless -- almost reckless -- determination to save her against all odds.

After undergoing a heart transplant performed by her father, surgeon Seung-do (Park Shin-yang), young So-mi (Lee Re) begins to exhibit disturbing signs of demonic possession. Desperate to save his daughter, Seung-do turns to a priest, Hae-shin (Lee Min-ki), for help, asking him to perform an exorcism. Despite his efforts, the ritual goes terribly wrong, leading to her death.

Seung-do refuses to accept the reality of his daughter's death, despite the medical examiner's report and the priest's assessment. During So-mi's funeral proceedings, he begins to experience a series of mysterious and unsettling events.
  The film amplifies its horror by utilizing the unsettling settings of a hospital morgue and boiler room, where So-mi confronts the malevolent spirit. Lee Re delivers a chilling and convincing portrayal of the possessed girl, leaving audiences both awestruck and terrified.

Moths serve as the demon's visual motif, culminating in one of the film's most horrifying sequences: a single moth crawls from the deceased girl's mouth before hundreds flood the boiler room during the ritual.

While the spine-chilling scenes and impressive performances, particularly by the young actress, are sure to captivate audiences, the film stumbles with clumsy flashbacks that obscure, rather than illuminate, the demon's back story.
  Additionally, the priest's troubled past, which is meant to be a key part of the central narrative, feels underdeveloped and disjointed. His recitation of Latin incantations also comes across overly mechanical, disrupting the film's atmospheric tension.

The film marks Park Shin-yang's return to the big screen after his role in the 2013 comedy film "Man on the Edge" and also serves as the director's feature debut. Filmed in 2020, its release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Devils Stay" is set for release on Thursday.