Cuando acecha la maldad

Ok.

I love old school horror movies that don't rely on BS jump scares and CGI.

This movie isn't perfect.

In the second half you may notice some plot contradictions like I did. And yet every actor gave it their all.

This is a new take on possession horror.

The pacing is perfect.

It's really hard to not put spoilers in the review because some of them might convince you to watch this!

As a southern American surrounded by churches of all types, and having known many Catholics, this take is refreshing. In a messed up way lol.

I won't say this is a 10/10 movie. BUT. If you're tired of the same old gore Schlick then this is for you. I appreciate the actors giving their all even though the screenplay isn't perfect. Hope you don't like dogs.

With horror films, you're usually used to an old haunted mansion, a group of people make a visit....at night, because why not... and they do a bunch of stuff they're not supposed to. This, widely acclaimed, 2023 Argentine supernatural film is your standard *dumb decisions* but in a different setting and with some reasoning behind these dumb decisions. At least that's what it seems to be after the first watch.

Plot - Residents of a remote village/town learn that something evil among them and if it's not handled right, the whole town will get destroyed.

I don't think this film is scary (subjective) but this will make you feel very uneasy. Don't watch this while eating, you'll thank yourself. In this genre, you can tell how certain scenes are going to play out? You feel the same in this one but also go "No, they won't be doing it. That's too jarring. No way." and boom! They do it anyway and make you go "I can't believe they went there!" and this 'shock' adds to the experiences of watching this film. There's more gore than I'd expect in a horror movie. No jump scares - so that's a plus in my books.

Despite the idiotic decision making, the film is surely different from your regular horror movies. It did leave me with several questions but I'd have recommended it anyway. The research led me to an interview by the director and his thought process behind the film it made me look at the film in a totally different light; helped answer some questions; some still left unanswered.

If you're a horror movie fan, I'd still recommend it for you. Keeping aside some dumb decisions, this offers something different that most other mainstream horror films don't.

I know it's blasphemy, but I LOVED this possession horror movie way more than 1973's The Exorcist.

Yes, I know. I'm in the 4% who doesn't prop The Exorcist up as the greatest horror movie ever made. I just recently watched that now-50-year-old movie only for the 2nd time and unbelievably, my rating dropped for it. (I explained IN DETAIL why in my review, so seek and find that for my thoughts.)

This one gets RIGHT to the action with NO time spared. Immediately, you're thrust into the action and world-building. And let me get this straight: while I'm not fully understanding the ending at this point (I REALLY need to watch one of those "Ending Explained" YouTube commentators to fully grasp this finale,) I absolutely loved this tense, suspenseful and most of all, ORIGINAL tale of possession. Talk about NOT being spoon-fed this plot to the audience. You're gonna have to piece this one on your own.

When Evil Lurks tells the tale of two brothers who will stop at nothing to protect their family and hopefully village/friends from an evil, travelling spirit hellbent on corrupting their isolated village, friends, family and livestock. Much like The Thing invading, how will they stop this threat before all their loved ones...or the WORLD...is demonized?

I haven't seen such a bold, in your face, right-away horror that demands your attention and put the pieces together yourself in such a long time. You are in the almost-the-same shoes as these characters with trying solve the riddle and save everyone involved. And the fact that no one is safe while you try and solve this riddle, including children, you better act fast.

I loved this movie even without fully understanding the ending for now. Either those "Ending Explained" YouTube vids will open my eyes, or I'll do it on my own from future revisits. With any route, Director/Writer Demián Rugna did an EXCELLENT job of opening a new door of horror.

***

Final Thoughts: YES, this movie is from Argentina and has subtitles. Suck it up. Some of the best horror films are outside the system. Especially serious horror.

I watched the Argentinian horror film 🇦🇷 When Evil Lurks (2023) at the theater tonight. The storyline revolves around a pair of brothers and their friend who come across a demon-possessed body and are determined to eliminate it to prevent the infection from spreading through the village. However, this task proves to be far more challenging than they initially anticipated.

Written and directed by Demián Rugna (Terrified), the film features Ezequiel Rodríguez (The Road), Luis Ziembrowski (The Rotten Link), Federico Liss (Wild Tales) and Demián Salomón (You Don't Know Who You're Talking To).

Demián Rugna once again displays his mastery in crafting a unique and refreshing horror film. The storyline of this picture is exceptional and reminded me of Talk to Me in terms of plot, intensity, suddenness and shocking violence. The film delivers an array of incredible and relentless sequences that are both shocking and brutal. The kills are filled with gore, blood splatter, and unrelenting ruthlessness. The scenes involving the goat and children pickup at mother's house are a dream come true for horror enthusiasts. While the ending is somewhat open-ended, it works effectively.

In conclusion, Demián Rugna has created another masterpiece for the horror genre. I would rate it an 8-8.5/10 and strongly recommending it.

A rare film which will satisfy both the gore hounds and the cerebral, this hidden gem is going to earn a cult following.

When Evil Lurks places us in a world where evil is so common place, it's become routine. Mundane and dismissible, this film explores the dangers of when people start to think bad things can only happen to other people, shared community and belief are lost, and the institutions put in place to protect us become complacent and disinterested.

The rules for safety are clearly stated, but watch as each character's downfall comes from the thoughtless certainty that they are the exception and nothing will come of *them* doing it, just this one time.

The unique demonic entities of this modern setting are alien to, yet play with, the tropes of just about every standard possession film: at once familiar and extremely inscrutable. Audiences are left to muddle through figuring things out as the protagonists do, and I strongly urge you to enter the film with as little knowledge as possible.

Good for when you want a little thought to your gore, or a lot of gore in your thought, are tired of stereotypical Catholic-based possession films, and those who enjoy well-executed worldbuilding. You can expect high production values (you can practically *smell* the Rotted through the screen) and a balance between the brutal shocks and the lingering creepies.

Those disturbed by the graphic harm of children or animals should steer clear.