Seoul: “Devils Stay” adheres closely to the classic formula of a traditional exorcism film, featuring a young girl possessed by a mysterious demon and a tormented exorcist grappling with his own troubled past as he fights to save her.
According to Yonhap News Agency, director Hyun Moon-seop seeks to distinguish the film from other exorcism tales by infusing it with a distinct Korean flair. The horror unfolds within the unique context of Korea’s three-day funeral rituals, creating a culturally rich backdrop as the exorcist races to cast the demon out of the teenage girl before the ceremonies conclude. The narrative centers on a father’s refusal to accept his daughter’s death and his relentless determination to save her against all odds.
After undergoing a heart transplant performed by her father, surgeon Seung-do, portrayed by Park Shin-yang, young So-mi, played by Lee Re, begins to exhibit signs of demonic possession. Desperate to save his daughter, Seung-do turns to a priest, Hae-shin, played by Lee Min-k
i, for help. However, the exorcism ritual goes awry, leading to So-mi’s death.
Seung-do struggles to accept the reality of his daughter’s death, despite the medical examiner’s report and the priest’s assessment. During So-mi’s funeral proceedings, he experiences a series of mysterious and unsettling events. The film amplifies its horror through the eerie settings of a hospital morgue and boiler room, where So-mi confronts the malevolent spirit. Lee Re’s portrayal of the possessed girl is noted for its chilling and convincing nature.
Moths serve as the demon’s visual motif, culminating in a horrifying sequence where a single moth crawls from the deceased girl’s mouth before hundreds flood the boiler room during the ritual. Despite spine-chilling scenes and impressive performances, the film faces criticism for clumsy flashbacks that obscure the demon’s backstory and an underdeveloped narrative concerning the priest’s troubled past. His recitation of Latin incantations is described as overly mechanical, disrup
ting the film’s tension.
“Devils Stay” marks Park Shin-yang’s return to the big screen after his role in the 2013 comedy film “Man on the Edge,” and it serves as the director’s feature debut. Filmed in 2020, its release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film is set to be released on Thursday.
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