Film Review – Diabolic (2026)

      Diabolic, 2026.

      Directed by Daniel J. Phillips.

      Featuring Elizabeth Cullen, John Kim, Mia Challis, Terence Crawford, Luca Sardelis, Genevieve Mooy, Robin Goldsworthy, Seraphine Harley.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A woman's search for a miracle remedy transforms into a nightmare as she encounters the vengeful spirit of a cursed witch, intent on using her as a vessel for her malevolent power.

      In Diabolic, Elise (Elizabeth Cullen) is a young woman experiencing strange blackouts and odd behavior a decade after participating in a peculiar baptism ritual as part of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), an extreme faction of the Mormon church. Now estranged from the church, her therapist advises her to revisit the site of the baptism and seek alternative therapy from a mother-and-son duo who are former church members. Elise agrees and is accompanied by her boyfriend Adam (John Kim) and her best friend Gwen (Mia Challis) for support, but in doing so, Elise awakens more than just painful recollections.

      At first glance, Diabolic appears to be yet another supernatural religious horror film, with a hint of folklore, attempting to replicate The Exorcist. It features loud disturbances from silent scenes interrupted by emerging ghosts with glowing eyes, which is pretty much the experience provided. However, there is more happening beneath the surface than in your typical CGI-laden possession horror, as the filmmakers have evidently researched the religious themes involved.

      Indeed, the ‘Baptism of the Dead’ ritual depicted in Elise's opening scene is a legitimate practice among church members; it remains uncertain whether the results are as depicted. The film explains its purpose and intended functioning. Within the movie's context, this ritual represents a creepy religious sect shrouded in mystery, a young woman grappling with psychological issues and physical intimacy—which becomes pertinent—and a ritual meant to grant salvation to the deceased that goes horribly wrong, giving rise to a vengeful spirit. In Diabolic, this spirit is Larue (Seraphine Harley), a former church member who was also a witch and has been cursed for… reasons.

      Diabolic successfully strives to connect its fictional demons to the real-life church, and when the film finds its rhythm, the horror elements are effectively executed. While the trope of a demon lurking in the background has been overused, here the lighting, setting, and general atmosphere deliver a sense of unease that prompts a revisit to scenes for reassurance. The feeling of dread that director Daniel J. Phillips cultivates when all the key characters converge at the central location is nearly tangible, and although there are CGI effects, they do not appear cheap or hurried.

      However, Diabolic falters in the aspects between the horror sequences. The characters—if they can be called such—are so thinly sketched that their arcs become apparent as soon as they interact with others. A troubled woman with intimacy issues in the wilderness with her boyfriend and best friend? It's easy to predict the outcome. Elise is an exceedingly bland protagonist, and her decision-making feels so forced that it becomes laughable. The supporting characters don't fare any better, with Mia Challis delivering the only performance that could be deemed commendable. The mythology surrounding Larue is also lacking, to the point that she fails to present a convincing threat; the filmmakers attempt to render her visually frightening, but without substance, she comes across as just another random ghost engaging in generic ghostly antics rather than a genuine villain with well-defined motives.

      It's unfortunate because Diabolic contains elements that, if developed differently, could lead to a religious horror narrative that transcends mere frights and cheap jump scares—which are actually well-executed. Nevertheless, when the pacing shifts from intense horror to lackluster ‘character’ moments, the weak script and clichéd plot developments become glaring, rendering it a frustrating viewing experience given its premise. While it may be worth renting for its unique ideas and gory sequences, the final product feels notably underdeveloped despite possessing the right components.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward