“Nefarious”

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For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12

Films about demons have long been hugely popular among a certain portion of movie-goers. Unfortunately, these films contain more sensationalism than truth, utilizing just enough biblical references to give a semblance of legitimacy before launching into an orgy of terror and gore, with enough lewd sensuality thrown in to attract additional viewers from the porn enthusiasts.

The more sanitized Christian attempts at sending a message about evil all too often ends up awkward and strained, what we used to call “hokey,” now dubbed simply “lame.”

I can think of a few exceptions, for example, Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ.” Another exception is C. S. Lewis’s classic fiction The Screwtape Letters. (I’ve seen an excellent stage rendition by the Fellowship for the Performing Arts.) I would put the new film “Nefarious” in that category. It’s been aptly described as “Screwtape meets ‘Silence of the Lambs.'”

Before recommending this film, I should probably put out a disclaimer. There are “religious” people who would not want to see it. The topic, the language, the violence might offend their sensibilities, and that’s OK. They are not the target audience. “Nefarious” is not a film to entertain church people, and it doesn’t attempt to entice the world into the Church with promises of “pie in the sky in the sweet by-and-by.” (Admit it, for the most part the world doesn’t think that far into the future and, frankly, doesn’t care.)

“Nefarious” is, rather, a startling, in-your-face picture of what’s really going on behind the scenes in a secular, sinful, self-righteous, and oblivious world. It’s a blunt wake-up call, a warning of what the future holds for those who continue to reject the true God in favor of satisfying their egos and fleshly appetites. It also accuses the lukewarm “religious” people (“having a form of godliness but denying its power.” – II Timothy 3:5) as being unwitting allies of the enemy.

The bulk of the film takes place in a maximum-security prison, where a young psychiatrist, a cocky atheist named James, (played by Jordan Belfi) is interviewing a condemned murderer named Edward (Sean Patrick Flanery) hours before his scheduled execution to determine the man’s mental state. Interestingly, the murderer is not pleading insanity, but demon possession. In the course of the interview the alleged demon does most of the talking in an elaborate, fast-paced dialogue.

At first James appears skeptical, even amused, but as the interview progresses, he is confronted with his own guilt, which he tries to deflect. At one point the psychiatrist even facetiously – and foolishly – invites the demon to come into him. (The consequences of that proposal are disastrous but only manifested moments after the present host’s execution.) Although James is presented with details of his life that a man who has been in solitary confinement could not have possibly known, he remains stubbornly unconvinced, and for the most part, unrepentant. The exception is one agonizing attempt to set things right, which turns out to be too little, too late.

The demon, “Nefarious,” speaks in his own twisted way, Screwtape-style, truths in reverse. For example, speaking of Christ – “the Carpenter” – as the enemy. When the prison “chaplain” confesses that he has never done an exorcism, implies that he doesn’t, in fact, believe in demons, and speaks blandly about “getting along,” the condemned man relaxes, smiles, and in the voice of Nefarious tells him in a low chuckle, “I like you.”

When the topic of theology comes up, the demon declares that he knows more about theology than all of them put together.

We do get occasional glimpses of Edward, the demon’s hapless host. Edward is a pitiful shell of a man, whose life has been taken over by an entity he is powerless to resist. (Flanery, by the way, should receive the Oscar for Best Actor, hands-down.) Edward is utterly, miserably helpless, and it is apparent that the wimpy chaplain and smug psychiatrist offer no help at all.

To me one of the most profound moments of dialogue was when the demon referred to their conversation in terms of a contest. James responds, “I didn’t know we were in a fight.”

Nefarious retorts, “That’s why you’re losing.”

This film doesn’t end with a gospel presentation and an altar call, but rather with a chilling reminder of the evil that is everywhere in this world, and that refusing to believe in it is not going to make it go away. There is, thankfully, a welcome glimpse of redemption at the end, but the impact of the film in general is sobering and, one would hope, convicting.

“Nefarious” is a wake-up call, because like it or not, we are in a battle.

The question is, which side are you on?

Prayer: Lord, we rejoice that You love us and have overcome evil! As we are called to be overcomers as well, we take up the armor You have provided us with. Help us to be ready to follow You, our Commander, into the battle, knowing we will win. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

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40 thoughts on ““Nefarious””

  1. Thanks for this movie review, Ann. I hadn’t heard of it, but it actually sounds like one I might want to see because of its forthright portrayal of evil through a demon without trying to be gory or sensual. Rotten Tomatoes critics give it a paltry 33% rating, but the audience rating is 96%. I also noticed this:

    Distributor: Soli Deo Gloria Releasing

    Production Co: Believe Entertainment

    The names of the distributor and production co. definitely tell us something!

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    1. Thanks for the additional information, Keith. It doesn’t surprise me that Rotten Tomatoes gave it a low score. Good films with hard truths seem to be routinely ignored or their producers ostracized by Hollywood. Glad to see the high score from the viewers themselves. 😏👍

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      1. It’s a very familiar pattern with faith-based movies: the RT critics hate them, but the audience loves them. On the other hand, I’m sure there are some Christians who don’t consider this a faith-based movie.

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  2. That actually sounds intriguing, even though I don’t watch horror/scary movies. I’ll have to look it up! Thanks for breaking it down so well 😊

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    1. My pleasure, Jasmine. It’s listed as a “horror” genre, but like “The Screwtape Letters,” for the majority of the film the conflict is more intellectual than blood-and-gore horror. However, the execution scene towards the end is one you might not want to see. It’s easy to know when it’s coming, though, and there’s plenty of time to look away. (My sister did.)

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      1. Oh, thank you for that. No, I wouldn’t want to see that. Both your review and the trailer I saw after reading your blog made it look very interesting. Thanks 😊

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  5. My problem with this movie is that it conveyed the message that the enemy is winning and offered no hope. Not a single mention of Jesus. Sorry. Not a fan.

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    1. Did you miss the end, where James defied Nefarious and dedicated himself to spreading his own message of truth? He had obviously been transformed.
      We may have to agree to disagree, Jon, but that’s ok. You need to do the Great Commission in the way the Lord has called you
      Blessings.

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      1. I stayed until the dumpster scene and credits. I know God is faithful. I pray any moved by the film will be led to Him who holds the keys to hell and death. No hint of who He is in the script. I suppose we must agree to disagree. Thanks for your response.

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    2. Yes, hopefully those with questions will ask a believer to explain who “the Carpenter” is, and what “Christian theology” referred to. Maybe the “wakeup call” is preparing some to pursue the truth with more urgency. I am always amazed at the diverse ways God reaches diverse people.

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  6. That sounds so very interesting. Thank you for sharing this.
    The words – I was not aware we are in a fight…. That is why you are losing- wow! That is so impactful and something that we should truly consider. We are always in a fight. This is something I have become more aware of over the years in my walk with the Lord.

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  9. I had to smile as I read your post. I thought, “That’s my friend Annie, the theater major!” It made me think about how the Lord has created each of us in a unique way to bring the world a message of hope. God bless you, today, my sweet friend!

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  10. Wow sounds like an insightful movie. This makes me think of how so real the spiritual warfare that is around us. And how dangerous it is when we don’t think its a war out there

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    1. True, Jimmy. It makes me think of the song we used in “Satan’s Worst Nightmare,” our Halloween outreach, depicting the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus from the devil’s perspective. Early on, he sings Keith Green’s song “No One Believes in Me Anymore,” celebrating his victory over gullible people (prematurely, of course. Then the stone is rolled away, and his party’s over.😏)

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  11. You’re right. It does have a taste of Screwtape. I have a cousin who “was” a pastor in west Texas. He, and his wife, were confronted by a demonic in the church office outside of office hours. It was a scheduled appointment for a man who wanted some counseling. What they experienced who raise the hairs on your neck.

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    1. I’m sure it would, Alan. I believe I’ve had a brush or two with that kind of spirit, and it felt like no fear I had ever known before. I’ve learned to confront such things immediately with the name of Jesus, before I find myself unable to speak.

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  12. Although not a movie, Frank Peretti’s books, “This Present Darkness” and “Piercing the Darkness,” made me truly think about what the spiritual battle looks like right alongside everyday life. (Similar to the Screwtape letters, just in a different way.) Sounds like this movie would also bring that home. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I love Frank Peretti’s books! In fact, I wrote a song that one music producer tried to get into the movie version of “This Present Darkness.” The song was called “Somewhere, Someone Is Praying,” a line taken directly from the book, uttered by a bewildered demon as he sees angelic reinforcements pouring in. 😉 \
      I had the privilege of meeting Peretti at a Christian Writer’s convention and praying with him after the premiere of his movie “The Hangman’s Curse.” He said the movie rights for “This Present Darkness” had been bought, but the buyer didn’t seem to be doing anything with it. I found that really frustrating, as I could imagine how great that story would be if well produced and directed. Maybe someday …
      Thanks for your feedback, Jennifer! 🙂

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  13. Great review, Ann! I haven’t seen it yet, but many people have said I should.

    I’ve been fascinated tracking the reviews. Many people really enjoyed this movie (in a grim kind of way) and gave it glowing reviews. Just the same, nobody seems able to get those numbers up.

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    1. It’s classified as “horror,” which isn’t exactly accurate, imo, so that probably puts some people off. And I don’t think the spiritual truths in it are exactly welcome in Hollywood. So, it’s a little like when Christian rock first came out. A lot of Christians didn’t approve of it it because it was rock, and the rock & roll crowd didn’t like that it was Christian. 😕

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    1. That’s a hard movie to watch, but I think we need to watch it occasionally, to remind us what Jesus did for us. 💔
      (Isn’t it interesting how the devil was portrayed in that one – with the face of a woman and the voice of a man… Almost prophetic.)
      Have you read “The Screwtape Letters”?

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