I sat down to Deliver Us, unsure of what to expect. The trailer promised some good old fashioned child of the devil fun, which I admittedly do have a soft spot for. The Omen (1976) whilst ever changing its ranking, comfortably sits in my top ten “horror movies” of all time. I also really appreciated an underseen but excellent hidden gem from 2014, At the Devil’s Door, which gave me a cocktail of ghostly goings on and devil needs diapers shenanigans. Obviously, Rosemary’s Baby (1968) is the benchmark for this particular niche within the genre and now a new entry has joined the pack. Deliver Us.
Co-written/produced/directed and starring Leeroy Kunz as Father Fox, whom we meet on his way out of Priesthood and into a potential, happily ever after scenario with his partner (and the reason he is leaving the priesthood) Laura, played by Juane Kimmel.
Father Fox has been personally requested by a young Russian Nun, Sister Yulia (Maria Vera Ratti) who has suddenly and miraculously become pregnant.
Aided by an older, respected member of the clergy, Cardinal Russo played by Alexander Siddig. The two men of God embark on a mission to visit Sister Yulia at her convent. And it quickly becomes clear that not all is, as it seems. The good Sister indeed is pregnant and plagued by visions pertaining to her future. She apparently will be the mother of twins as foretold in an ancient prophecy. One good one evil. Catch the drift?
Despite familiar tropes, Deliver Us feels like it is always trying to keep things fresh. With complex, nuanced characters and some really gloomily lush cinematography utilizing some very grand/old locations we are drawn into this world and these characters. Exposition comes second to pace, considering the audience smart enough to play catch up if they need to. Tightly edited the film really does move along at a good speed knowing when to slow down in order to ratchet up tension. When the one-eyed and obviously evil, Saul (Thomas Kretschmann) starts hunting our heavenly trio, things really step up a gear. One sequence involving wolves at night in the snow proved to be particularly harrowing. All the more impressive because it is clearly being filmed at night in a freezing location with real wolves, not the type of in camera action you normally see much of anymore in these types of movies.
Tóti Guðnason’s provides an atmospheric score which booms when it needs to and swirls around causing a constant uneasiness. Cinematographer Issac Bauman knows how to reel us in with shots that compliment their environment. Kunz and his Co Director Cru Ennis have created a unique take on a familiar tale which plays as a slick smart thriller as well as a thought provoking theological horror.
Deliver Us will open in select theaters This Weekend.