Refuge

You know, Renny Harlin knows how to make a film. Unfortunately he seems incapable of choosing the correct vehicle for his endeavours.

This is essentially a Muslim version of The Exorcist, without any of the thrills or tension that made that film a classic.

There are plenty of fine actors in this film, but they are only handed cliches with which to work.

I'm afraid to criticise the direction this movie takes because I may bring a jihad down on myself, but it appears someone was trying to drive home the idea that a 2000 year old spirit may only be exorcised by a 1400 year old religion. Further to that, the 2000 year old religion that managed to rid the world of the demon that infected Linda Blair is treated as a sideshow worthy of only a few disparaging scenes. If they really wanted a convincing showdown, perhaps they should have chosen an even older religion instead. You know which one I mean.

Ultimately, this is a rather pedestrian attempt at a woke-ish horror film that is is well shot but offers little by way of horror or even thrills.

Go rewatch The Exorcist instead.

Refuge (2023) is an action-horror movie directed by Renny Harlin and it turned out to be another generic demon possession movie and it was awful.

Positives for Refuge (2023): The movie works as good background noise for when you're doing other things. That's it for the positives.

Negatives for Refuge (2023): The movie is horribly pacing and it's like that throughout the entire runtime. Aside from the main plot, nothing happens in this movie. The acting from the cast is awful and it feels like they're reading off cue-cards. There's barely any action sequences and that's a rarity for a Renny Harlin movie. And finally, the demon possession stuff is very basic and it feels half-assed.

Overall, Refuge (2023) is another one of these dumb and generic demon possession movies that I am starting to get sick and tired of watching.

Sophie Simnett's portrayal of Kate Pedroni in Refuge is a standout performance, showcasing her remarkable ability to capture a range of emotions with depth and authenticity. Simnett brings Kate to life as a determined and compassionate character, navigating her way through a world of uncertainty. She communicates Kate's inner conflict, resilience, and vulnerability with raw honesty, drawing viewers into her emotional journey. Simnett's impressive American accent further enhances her performance, allowing her to seamlessly embody the character. Her talent and range prove that she is more than ready for larger roles in blockbuster films, where her presence can truly shine.

What in the heck did I just watch? Actually I could only take about 30 minutes of the movie and then had to turn it.....It started out fairly well.... It looked like it was fairly well done.... Decent actors....decent story,...etc., but then went in a direction that no movie should ever go.....you'll know what I'm talking about if you watch this monstrosity....

Why do movies feel the need to do this? Why are modern movies getting worse and worse? People have been asking this for years now and no one can seem to answer the question.

Just watch 30 minutes and you'll see what I'm talking about.

1/10 One of the worst movies I've seen 30 minutes of this year.

Despite the bad ratings, I found the movie surprisingly enjoyable. While it had its flaws-like some awkward dialogue and a few predictable plot twists-it also had a lot of heart. The performances were solid, the visuals were impressive, and there were moments that genuinely pulled me in. It's not perfect, but it's definitely not as bad as the critics say. Sometimes, a movie doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be entertaining, and this one did just that. If you go in with the right expectations you might just find it's worth the watch. Don't condemn it before you actually watch it. What may be considered bad for some, will necessarily be bad for all.