Analyzing the Downfall of 'When Evil Lurks'

“When Evil Lurks” possesses a peculiar and unsettling tone, setting it apart as a distinctive entry in the American horror film scene. This uniqueness emerges as a significant highlight and strength of the movie. Moreover, it establishes a serene yet tumultuous style built upon its eerie atmosphere, skillfully maintained by the director through adept pacing. However, two exceptional elements stand out and warrant commendation: the remarkable music score and the exemplary cinematography.

(*The review primarily focuses on the evaluation and suggestions regarding the ending. Skip ahead if the preceding sections on strengths aren't of significant interest. *The following represents personal viewpoints.)

Strengths

1. Cinematography

The film's opening features a 1.5-minute long take, presenting the audience with an intriguing mystery right from the start—gunshots in the night. This sequence effectively engages viewers, following the two main characters investigating the source of the gunshots. The film artfully introduces the protagonists and intertwines character conversations and movement within this extended opening shot. The use of this prolonged shot adds an artistic appeal to the film's beginning.

The film's cinematography excels in controlling camera movements, synchronizing perfectly with the storyline and music. For example, the scene where the dog possessed by the demon takes away Pedro's ex-wife's daughter Vicky involves a chase by two male characters. Moreover, the remarkable camera movement during the climax, where Jaime drives and encounters the possessed Sabrina, showcases seamless and engaging cinematography. The scene transitions and angles effectively build curiosity and deliver the anticipated moments, creating an exceptional viewing experience.

2. Music

Beyond cinematography, the film's remarkable musical score deserves praise. Its distinctive and noticeable style aptly complements the storyline and cinematography. The serene, atmospheric, and somewhat sorrowful music during calm scenes beautifully complements the troubling and bizarre plotline. The music intensifies during tense moments, lingering in the audience's ears. The music speaks for itself and is commendable without further elaboration.

Weaknesses

Firstly, the film exhibits noticeable gaps in its explanations, leading to substantial plot holes. Drawing parallels to "The Evil Dead" series, particularly in the transmission of the demon from one individual to another, the movie lacks explicit details regarding this process. Consequently, it remains ambiguous how the demon spreads. However, inferred from the plot, it becomes apparent that contact with demon-possessed animals or individuals, or their belongings, facilitates transmission. Additionally, actions that breach the seven established rules within the film's context result in the spread of the demonic influence.

However, the reason why Pedro and Jamie were unaffected remains unexplained. Armando's shooting of the possessed goat leads to the demon leaving the animal and subsequently possessing Armando's wife, resulting in their deaths. The dog at the ex-wife's house becomes possessed upon smelling Pedro's clothes, infecting Vicky when she's bitten. The protagonist and his ex-wife directly interact with the possessed Vicky but aren't infected. Pedro, especially, interacts with items related to the demon-possessed Uriel, witnesses the dog being shot, and later contacts the possessed schoolgirl, yet remains uninfected. Why?

While this concern might not necessitate a detailed explanation, the film's ending undeniably deals a significant blow to the entirety of the movie.

The Ending

The most jarring and audience-disappointing aspect emerges from Pedro's sudden lapse in intelligence. Despite Mirta, a woman knowledgeable about dealing with demons, consistently advising him against getting provoked by the demon's words and acting out of anger, Pedro, when victory seems within reach, inexplicably succumbs to the demon's taunts. This abrupt and reckless behavior contradicts the character information previously established, feeling like a forced plot twist. Throughout the movie, Pedro consistently warns Leo, his ex-wife's current husband, against shooting the possessed dog and strictly adheres to the rule of not using a flashlight when entering the town at night, showcasing a commitment to the seven rules. The way the ending is crafted clashes with the established character traits, leaving a sour impression on the audience.

Furthermore, the film takes a detour from its intended path following Jair, the elder son's possession. After explicitly depicting Jair's possession and building towards the ultimate climax, the movie diverges into two distinct storylines: one involving the mother and another focusing on Mirta's exorcism attempt. This dual-narrative structure held the potential to generate intense tension and propel the story toward a climactic moment. However, the sequence involving the mother abruptly dissipates, and the film concludes with Mirta's scene, resulting in an unsatisfactory and conflicting narrative resolution.

The film's ending fails to elevate the emotional tension. While not choosing a dramatic climax isn't inherently problematic, this tragic victory-of-evil-over-good should have left a more profound impact. However, the writer's abrupt decision regarding Pedro's sudden lapse of intelligence and illogical actions leads to an unsatisfactory and frustrating ending, failing to deliver convincing and coherent storytelling.

To enhance the ending, the narrative could have been more enriched and complex. For instance, the mother, knowledgeable about the seven rules, could have directly confronted or cleverly evaded the demon. Meanwhile, the scene involving Mirta's exorcism could have been interwoven with more compelling content. By maintaining a dual-narrative structure, the film could have sustained audience engagement, leaving them intrigued about the mother's fate. Connecting the final scene to Jair consuming his mother's flesh could have added depth to the narrative, evoking stronger emotional responses from the audience. Additionally, it's worth noting the film's notable absence of jump scares.

Overall, 'When Evil Lurks' showcases remarkable cinematography and an engaging musical score. However, its downfall lies in an illogical ending that contradicts established character traits. Addressing these inconsistencies in character behavior and enriching the narrative content in the finale could have salvaged the impact of an otherwise promising film.