When two childhood friends are kidnapped and tortured, a madman’s penchant for blood may be more connected to the captives as first thought.

 

‘Evil Souls’ is a blend of low budget shock gore and possession that blends the best of both genres very well. While Cosgrove's portrayal of the crazed Valentine may be comedic in parts, this only adds to the madness the film takes in its latter half. What appears to be a standard low budget slasher holds a few tricks up its sleeve that will jolt you back into attention.

 

The connection between the captor and captives is much more than attraction and as piece by piece the film develops its soul, the unfolding events become a miracle to observe. The only gripe is that while there is evil at play, the representation that this is Nazi seems somewhat shallow and unrelated to the real possession of evil.

 

Holli Dillon and Paola Masciadri do well to drive the emotional state for the captives that may be part of Valentine’s master plan to deliver the evil prophecy but it is Lisa holsappel-Marrs as Valentine’s prostitute sister, Maddie, that holds the key to this film. Her characters motions are never clear but her intention is always grey. Whether she is the victim or the orchestrator of this madness is an question answered in time but she delivers on portraying an unbalanced character that is central to this story. This prophecy is never clearly explained but it’s effects on the world will be devastating.

 

‘Evil Souls’ never shies away from its gore and despite its low budget, doesn’t lack on blood or replace the special effects with computer graphics. A novel approach to film-making in the 21st century.

 

It’s not difficult to say that the film’s first half seems somewhat predictable but patience is paid off with an explosive emotional rollercoaster of a finale.