Review of Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist (2005) by Kenny D — 02 Jul 2008

While definitely an improvement over Harlin's "official" take on "the origin story" of Father Merrin's encounter with the demon Pazuzu, it still fails as a movie. It's actually possible to see many of the issues the studio had with Schraders' (too) subtle approach.

For one thing; it's hardly a horror movie. And when Schrader does allow the film to embrace the conventions of the genre it becomes silly; the CGI hyenas are as awful as they are in Harlin's version (but that's because Schrader didn't get any money to properly finish the post-production on his film - they do look better in close-ups though; where they appear to be an eerie blend of CGI and puppetry) and the possession scenes seem out of place.

The performances are pretty bad as well but thankfully Skarsgard's acting makes it somewhat believable. There are genuinely creepy moments and elements that work ("I am perfection", the way the demon Pazuzu taunts Merrin) but it never really becomes the movie it should have been and the unsetlling psychological horror-thriller Schrader undoubtedly set out to make!