Retro Film Review: Devour (2005)

We live in a fast-changing world, and it is fascinating to observe how popular culture, including millennia-old myths and urban legends, adapts to new technology. An example of this is a belief that was quite popular in certain circles a few decades ago - the notion that heavy metal songs contain hidden Satanist messages. This urban legend has been reimagined as a plot element in the 2005 horror film Devour, directed by David Winkler.

The protagonist of the film is Jake Gray, portrayed by Jensen Ackles, a computer science student who has just celebrated his 21st birthday. His friends Conrad (played by Teach) and Dakota (played by Dominique Swain) introduce him to an eerie online game called 'Pathway'. Reluctantly, Jake joins the game, already troubled by strange dreams and visions of violent acts. It soon becomes clear that 'Pathway' is more than just a game; it involves individuals, organizations, or forces that can impact players' real lives. As Conrad and Dakota become entangled in brutal murders, Jake starts questioning the true nature of the force he must confront, especially after encountering demonic entities in his visions.

Despite its modest budget, Devour presented an uncommon opportunity for a decent horror film in Hollywood. The script by Adam and Seth Gross featured intriguing characters and subplots. One standout aspect is the ending - typically a weak point in many contemporary genre films. Regrettably, unlike numerous potentially excellent films marred by poor endings, Devour suffers from having a good conclusion that cannot salvage an overall disappointing movie. The director, Winkler, is the weakest link in Devour, with his hurried editing leaving too many scenes unresolved and giving the film a cheaper appearance than it deserves. The cast delivers solid performances, with Dominique Swain being particularly noteworthy but sadly underutilized. Additionally, Devour benefits from its Vancouver settings; however, they also draw unfavorable comparisons to classic episodes of The X-Files, emphasizing the missed potential of the film."

RATING: 4/10 (+)

(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)

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