I really tried to appreciate Deliver Us, but numerous gaping plot holes and an unsatisfactory ending made it impossible for me to give this film a positive review.
The film intriguingly incorporates a wintery Russian backdrop and language, adding an authentic and mysterious touch with devout overtones, which initially seemed promising. Deliver Us delves deeply into religious themes, exploring aspects of Christianity and Catholicism, including the dichotomy of good vs. Evil, sacrifices, and the roles of both priests and lesser nuns.
The positives include nightmarish and grotesque scenes, notably in the opening sequences where a priest cuts off layers of skin from believers, revealing prophetic words and images. This gnarly introduction suggested that the film might push the boundaries into something horrific and startling.
The acting is generally solid, with Thomas Kretschmann as Father Saul, Maria Vera Ratti as Sister Yulia, and Boris Lee Krutonog as a Russian Bishop, all delivering culturally resonant and convincing performances. However, Lee Roy Kunz as Father Fox lacked chemistry with Maria, making their interactions awkward rather than charged with longing or temptation.
I would have appreciated more exploration of the convent's background, some rich history, or even some solid foundation to make the story feel more intimate and grounded.
On the negative side, the plot's religious elements, like a woman birthing both the Messiah and the Antichrist, were surprisingly bland. Additionally, the devil's voice and the high-pitched screeches from the baby failed to convey a supernatural or truly disturbing vibe and felt underwhelming and cliché.
There were also some outright illogical and confusing moments. For example, Sister Sniger (played by Barbara Luhse) puts herself in a vulnerable situation for no discernible reason other than her growing up "these people," which leads to her demise. Furthermore, the brutal police deaths at the end seem more for shock value than impact, as Father Fox's inexplicable murderous rage and subsequent epiphany upon holding the baby in the climactic moment to getting shot by Maria, and then awakening as reborn felt confusing and abrupt-a real "wtf" moment. Also, I'm sure I heard throughout that Maria can be corrupted by sex with a man brining the downfall of humanity but then that seems to occur at the end and those remarks never revisited again.
Overall, Deliver Us is a mix of failed storytelling and confusing plotlines that lead nowhere. Despite having elements reminiscent of films similar to "The Omen," it fails to ever take off, leaving the viewer feeling like they've wasted hours on something that doesn't quite hit the mark and leaves you feeling disjoined and let down.
3/10.
The film intriguingly incorporates a wintery Russian backdrop and language, adding an authentic and mysterious touch with devout overtones, which initially seemed promising. Deliver Us delves deeply into religious themes, exploring aspects of Christianity and Catholicism, including the dichotomy of good vs. Evil, sacrifices, and the roles of both priests and lesser nuns.
The positives include nightmarish and grotesque scenes, notably in the opening sequences where a priest cuts off layers of skin from believers, revealing prophetic words and images. This gnarly introduction suggested that the film might push the boundaries into something horrific and startling.
The acting is generally solid, with Thomas Kretschmann as Father Saul, Maria Vera Ratti as Sister Yulia, and Boris Lee Krutonog as a Russian Bishop, all delivering culturally resonant and convincing performances. However, Lee Roy Kunz as Father Fox lacked chemistry with Maria, making their interactions awkward rather than charged with longing or temptation.
I would have appreciated more exploration of the convent's background, some rich history, or even some solid foundation to make the story feel more intimate and grounded.
On the negative side, the plot's religious elements, like a woman birthing both the Messiah and the Antichrist, were surprisingly bland. Additionally, the devil's voice and the high-pitched screeches from the baby failed to convey a supernatural or truly disturbing vibe and felt underwhelming and cliché.
There were also some outright illogical and confusing moments. For example, Sister Sniger (played by Barbara Luhse) puts herself in a vulnerable situation for no discernible reason other than her growing up "these people," which leads to her demise. Furthermore, the brutal police deaths at the end seem more for shock value than impact, as Father Fox's inexplicable murderous rage and subsequent epiphany upon holding the baby in the climactic moment to getting shot by Maria, and then awakening as reborn felt confusing and abrupt-a real "wtf" moment. Also, I'm sure I heard throughout that Maria can be corrupted by sex with a man brining the downfall of humanity but then that seems to occur at the end and those remarks never revisited again.
Overall, Deliver Us is a mix of failed storytelling and confusing plotlines that lead nowhere. Despite having elements reminiscent of films similar to "The Omen," it fails to ever take off, leaving the viewer feeling like they've wasted hours on something that doesn't quite hit the mark and leaves you feeling disjoined and let down.
3/10.