What a pity. The first half was very interesting, moody, never boring, (mostly) not stupid. Top-notch sound effects and soundtrack, good direction... And a lot of this obviously influenced by Kubrick.
What Kubrick lacked however were Swiss-cheese scripts. It is unfortunate that so many logic holes undermine what could have been a classic horror film. I have no idea why the writer couldn't make a bigger effort in making this an intelligent film as well as "just" interesting. Naturally, all of the blame falls squarely on the writer-director, because he failed to realize that he is primarily a good director, not a great writer. A little modesty goes a long way - plus delegation.
Hiring a proper writer is a decision less and less directors opt to make, preferring to let their megalomania run wild, imagining themselves to be adept at everything... Typical delusional dictator mentality. There are a LOT more writer-director films in recent decades than for example during the 60s-90s period, and there are a lot less great movies now. In fact, in the last few years there haven't been any great films at all. This drastic downfall in cinema isn't solely caused by hog-all-the-glory directors who get too excited over the word "auteur", there are other factors too. But the fact that so many directors now fancy themselves competent writers definitely doesn't help. (This is especially hilarious whenever an inept director gets the urge to write as well as direct. Ed Wood, anyone?)
After 30-40 minutes the manure started piling up:
1. The husband experiences the cellar door getting shut and locked on its own, 3-4 times, yet he never wonders how this is possible - nor does he even try to FIX it. Very daft.
2. Elisha, who had just received news from a renowned mathematician that someone else had answered her phone and that the voice was counting 11 to 30, just like her daughter, FAILS to relay this crucial information to her husband. Instead, she blathers on about Leviathan and the symbols, which predictably doesn't leave much of an impression on him. Stupid.
3. As she catches her son counting to ten, she knows she'd potentially stopped him from endangering himself - yet she actually fails to notice the open door (or cupboard) toward which he was going, as if hypnotized. Baffling.
4. Despite overwhelming evidence that remaining in the house is dangerous for her whole family, she stays. Reminiscent of Eddie Murphy saying "those whi$e people, why don't they just LEAVE the eff-in house! It's haunted? Get the e$$ out!"
5. Elisha's son FAILS to inform her of the weird record player. He only mentions that the two siblings listened to it on the day of her disappearance, but he doesn't mention that there was a voice on it instead of music. Given that he isn't a small child, but around 12-13, I find it unrealistic that he would be this stupid, this lazy. Additionally, it takes Elisha way too long to finally play the bloody thing, which considering how desperate she was for answers should have been a given: just play the bloody thing. How much energy does it take to start a record-player? What's she got to lose by playing it? Daft.
6. Despite all the weird and nasty things revolving around the cellar, the couple never once instructed their son to stay away from it. Really, movie? But I guess this must be millennial upbringing, millennial parenthood. And that's why they all perish in the end! (Stricter upbringing increases the odds of your brood's survival - let alone helps them become better people.)
7. Despite already once initiating her son's hypnotized counting by playing the record, she yet AGAIN plays it - but without checking up on him. Absurd. This scene really sealed the deal for me: these people are beyond dumb.
8. Considering that the old woman sold them the Portal To Hell (for lack of a better term) shouldn't Elisha have smacker her around a bit? I mean, instead of lopping her head off for selling them a one-way ticket to Hell, Elisha begs her like a clown. "Please, please tell me, help me..." If I were in Elisha's place i.e. Asking the person who ruined my life for help, I wouldn't have asked for help, but forced the information out of her. Then I would have tied her up, kidnapped her and dragged her to Hell with me, as punishment. Let's face it: her putting this demonic house up for sale basically makes her a serial-killer, so why was Elisha so nice to her? Not even a bit of resentment? So pacifist...
In fact, this family is so utterly daft that at some point I started rooting for Hell to kill them all. Four fools less, right? How's that a bad thing? Even the daughter deserved it, because she was an "anarchist" which makes her a buffoon too. Ironically, Hell turned out to be quite an anti-anarchic place...
Fortunately, that's how the film ends. Baphomet does mankind a service by taking these 4 morons away from our world. If he only collected morons I'd be liable to become a fan. Form my own Baphomet Fan Club.
Cuthbert hitting Baphomet with a flashlight and slamming the door shut on him (despite him pushing) was definitely a scene we did not need here.
Unfortunately, this film also falls into the trap of wasting our time with one character trying fruitlessly to convince another of supernatural events. When will fantasy film-makers EVER learn that it is never entertaining to watch one moron character try to convince another moron that the supernatural exists. Why is it pointless? Because we the audience already know that the supernatural is really happening. We want that supernatural plot to develop, but how can it do so when time is wasted on whether someone will start believing or not. Who gives a hoot! I am vested in this story because of the interesting supernatural mystery, NOT because I care whether a non-believer finally understands the truth.
I am also baffled that it never occurred to the family to invite the mathematician (who was helping them) to the house. In fact, this situation called for a team of scientists (like in "Poltergeist", though those weren't real scientists), not some half-baked DIY nonsense that didn't even involve a concrete plan. A clueless family fighting a demon? Please, where do I place my bets on the family, I want to lose some money...
This family is so stupid, and their situation so lop-sided in favour of Baphomet, that it was a foregone conclusion that they'd have to lose, logically speaking.
Despite all these logic holes, this is an entertaining, and even somewhat original film. I like the fact that the director had the balls to portray Hell, because most horror film-makers don't dare to. (Afraid of embarrassing themselves.) It isn't a brilliant portrayal, but it is fun, and interesting.