Nefarious (2023)

As I noted in my review of Assassin 33 A.D., I don’t usually review faith-based movies. Due to their intended audience, they’re inherently review-proof. In the case of Nefarious, I didn’t know going in that it was a faith-based film. Although marketed as a mainstream horror movie, Nefarious unveils itself to be a Christian psychological thriller. Had I done my homework, I would have seen that co-writers, co-producers, and co-directors Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon were responsible for the God’s Not Dead series of films.

Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints) plays Edward Wayne Brady, a serial killer scheduled for execution. The psychiatrist scheduled to perform Brady’s pre-execution mental evaluation committed suicide under mysterious circumstances. So, a substitute has to be called in. Enter Dr. James Martin (Jordan Belfi,) a no-nonsense atheist, who has to determine whether Brady is sane or not. If he’s considered sane, the execution goes on as planned. If not, Brady won’t ride the lightning.

During their meeting, Brady informs Dr. Martin that he’s possessed by a demon named Nefarious. Nefarious claims that he controls Brady’s actions while Brady has to suffer the consequences. Of course, being an atheist, Dr. Martin doesn’t believe in demons. He needs convincing. Nefarious posits that Dr. Martin will commit three murders before their meeting is complete. And, as expected, Dr. Martin scoffs at that possibility. But, he does launch into an in-depth question and answer session to determine Brady’s mental well-being.

What follows is 90 minutes of evangelizing by the most trustworthy of sources: a demon. Nefarious, the demon, reveals to Dr. Martin how Satan has used the media to slowly recruit followers by desensitizing them to evil. Nefarious, the movie, then attempts to convince liberals or atheists that their thinking about abortion, assisted suicide, literacy rates, and racism empowers Satan. This is the core of the film’s message. And, to those that think I’m missing the point, I’m not. I totally understand what this film and its creators are trying to say. I may not agree with it but it doesn’t cloud my understanding that the movie uses the personification of a demon to advance the word of God. Essentially, the father of lies speaks the truth that the audience is meant to believe.

Sean Patrick Flanery’s performance carries the entire film. That’s not to say it’s great, however. He’s just more interesting than anyone or anything else in the film. Bouncing back and forth between the confident Nefarious and the child-like Brady requires little subtlety. As Nefarious, Flanery sits up straight, blinks wildly, and frequently licks his lips — reminding me of Heath Ledger’s Joker. His face twitches but his voice remains firm and assured. As Brady, Flanery cowers, stutters, and whines like a baby. There’s never any doubt who is speaking.

Sadly, though, the script is even less subtle than Flanery’s performance. I admit that the premise of the film contains hints of brilliance. But the logic fails as more plot elements are introduced. And, by logic, I mean Konzelman and Solomon’s bungling attempt to make their point.

This is not the horror film that it was marketed as being. That wasn’t an accident. Nefarious is a bait-and-switch attempt to reach an audience that will see it for exactly what it is: manipulative garbage.