SXSW Review: 'The Diabolical' starring Ali Larter

The Diabolical is the first film from director/co-writer Alistair Legrand, who is clearly hoping to become a genre director. The film, which made its world premiere at SXSW this week, is a direct-to-video horror schlockfest that struggles to stay smart.

Ali Larter (Heroes, Final Destination) stars as Madison, a single mom with two young children. Their house is haunted, but - as it usually works in movies like these - no one believes them. Even paranormal activity hunters either don’t believe them or are too horrified to investigate. The only person who cares to hear Madison’s story is Nikolai (Arjun Gupta, How To Get Away With Murder) and that’s because he’s sleeping with her.

Madison is convinced that it is the ghost of her husband haunting her and the children, but when she and Nikolai set up ghost-watching equipment, they begin to learn the truth. Without giving too much away - should you still be interested in seeing this - let’s just say it involves time traveling. One the pieces come together, it’s not too hard to see what the big twist is going to be.

Legrand and co-writer Luke Harvis do their best to come up with a conspiracy that involves science experiments and land value, but the film’s true colors aren’t too hard to find. The script wants to be smart, while still keeping to the traditional values of a haunted house horror movie.

At least the acting wasn’t too bad. Yes, Arjun Gupta isn’t that great, but Larter has a bit more to do than scream throughout. The child actors - Thomas Kuc and Cloe Perrin (who will be in Jurassic World) - are also pretty decent.

The effects in the film also are pretty impressive, particularly the monsters that pop up. They are certainly disgusting.

The Diabolical gives horror fans what they want, but don’t be surprised if you aren’t impressed.

image by John Frost, courtesy of SXSW

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