Prey for the Devil (2022) Movie Review

Director Daniel Stamm's return to the horror genre with his new film Prey for the Devil has failed to impress, as it rehashes the same storyline as William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. Stamm attempts to deliver a demon-possession movie that fails to do much beyond recycling the familiar tropes of the genre.

The movie follows the story of Sister Ann (Jacqueline Byers), who, despite being forbidden by her order, is trained in the art of exorcism by a priest, Father Quinn (Colin Salmon), who sees her natural talent. Ann’s training is put to the test when she is called upon to save a young girl, Natalie (Posy Taylor), who she believes is possessed by the same demon that killed her own mother. However, the movie fails to adequately explain why the demon wants Natalie's soul.

The plot of Prey for the Devil remains virtually identical to that of The Exorcist, and Stamm's film adds nothing new to the genre. The movie's climax is an almost identical recreation of The Exorcist’s ending, with a location change and a few characters surviving. Although The Exorcist is a vastly superior movie, it doesn't rely on a slew of jump scares to terrify the audience.

Prey for the Devil is another jump scare-driven horror film, with only a few neat practical feats of body horror that are not enough to maintain the audience's interest throughout its brisk 93-minute runtime. The scares are predictable and rely heavily on loud noises, which are passed off as “scares.” The film's PG-13 practicality is well-done, and one scene in which Natalie starts to choke on her hair is genuinely terrifying. However, this is the only scare that truly stands out, and the rest of the film feels formulaic and unoriginal.

In an era where original horror movies are increasingly popular, Prey for the Devil is likely to be relegated to obscurity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie's release was delayed multiple times, further diminishing its impact. None of the scares in the movie are particularly effective, and the performances are equally forgettable.

The movie's stars, including Colin Salmon and Virginia Madsen, do their best to take their roles seriously, but the poorly written dialogue leaves them with little to work with. Jacqueline Byers is miscast as Sister Ann, and her dramatic scenes are unintentionally funny, which detracts from the movie's dark atmosphere.

Prey for the Devil fails to add anything new to the horror genre, and its plot feels too recycled to be genuinely frightening. The movie's stars are unable to breathe life into their characters, and the scares are too predictable to be effective. Even a Halloween release is unlikely to salvage this movie's reputation. The Last Exorcism should have been the last exorcism, and audiences looking for a truly terrifying horror movie should look elsewhere.

Prey for the Devil is ultimately a forgettable addition to the horror genre. Its lack of originality, uninspired scares, and mediocre performances make it difficult to recommend. While there are a few noteworthy aspects, such as some effective body horror and a tense choking scene, they are overshadowed by the film's reliance on predictable jump scares and tired story beats.

In an era where horror films are pushing the boundaries and taking risks, Prey for the Devil feels like a step backward. It doesn't offer anything new or innovative to the genre, and instead relies on tired tropes and cliches to try to scare its audience. Even its attempts at practical effects are not enough to elevate it above its uninspired script and lackluster performances.

Overall, if you're looking for a genuinely terrifying and innovative horror film, Prey for the Devil is not the movie for you. There are far better options out there, including recent releases like Midsommar and Hereditary, which are pushing the boundaries of the genre and offering audiences something truly unique and memorable. While Prey for the Devil may appeal to die-hard horror fans or those looking for a quick scare, it ultimately fails to deliver on its promises and is unlikely to leave a lasting impression on most viewers.