Sometimes they come back, in this specific case, the daughter of Mephisto, whom many now know as Lilith from Diablo 4. Lilith is currently the antagonist in this piece. Why it is worth watching the film The Unholy in advance of Diablo 4, you can find out here.
What is the film about? The plot follows Gerry Fenn (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a washed-up journalist. He is trying to stay afloat with smaller assignments. The entire story is set in a town in New England.
Watch the trailer for The Unholy here on YouTube.
Although Fenn initially shows up for another story, he experiences apparent miracles at the town’s church. He senses his second chance to revive his career as the miracles in the community increase.
This is related to the girl Alice, who, as if by ghostly hand, is no longer deaf – and not only that – she also begins to speak, although she had never done so before. She claims that the Holy Virgin Mary speaks through her. Everyone should learn about the miracles from the Holy Virgin, which soon makes the town a pilgrimage site for the faithful.
Meanwhile, Fenn befriends the girl and doubts himself and his actions. However, the thought arises in him that the voice the girl perceives might not actually be that of the Holy Virgin.
A battle of faith begins between good and evil, even bringing the church into play. Ultimately, it is about Fenn’s own peace of mind and the contest for the souls of the innocent between heaven and hell.
Lilith, the hellish counterpart to the Holy Virgin?
What does this have to do with Lilith? The film truly deals not only with a question of faith but also with personified evil. However, the question arises as to whether the miracles, despite their influence from “below”, should still be recognized as such or even protected by their followers.
Alice finds herself in conflict with the experienced miracles and her trust in Fenn – parallel to the people in Sanctuary, who are in the midst of the conflict between Lilith and the angel Inarius. Both parties represent the respective opposing forces and maintain their jointly created world of Sanctuary in this way.
After Lilith escapes her banishment, she wanders around to win souls for her cause. At the beginning of the game, she appears as, admittedly brutal, a savior in a chapel.
The question remains whether and to what extent Lilith’s machinations are indeed much worse than Inarius’s intentions in an otherwise dark world like Sanctuary. Without Lilith, the world does not seem much better either.
Watch the official story trailer for Diablo 4 here.
What is the background to the film? The film is based on a novella called Shrine
by James Herbert. Herbert himself passed away in 2013 but was considered the British counterpart to Stephen King until then. His books sold over 53 million copies (via deadline.com).
The film is a horror movie featuring supernatural occurrences. Directed by Evan Spiliotopoulos as his debut work on the big screen. It was produced by Sam Raimi under his own brand, Ghost House Pictures. The film can currently be streamed on Netflix. Read here how to access more films on the streaming service using cheat codes.
The main cast includes well-known figures from film and television, such as Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Supernatural, The Walking Dead), Cricket Brown (WeCrashed), and William Sadler (The Shawshank Redemption, Die Hard 2).
Although effects are sparingly used at the beginning, the visual experience gains momentum as the story progresses. With a budget of “only” 10 million dollars (via the-numbers.com), it may not create masterpieces on screen, but it impresses through solid acting.
The film is not a blockbuster, but it nevertheless maximizes its budget regarding sets and cast, even with well-known actors like Jeffrey Dean Morgan. And that is refreshing – it’s nice to see sets in real locations without a green screen.
The reviews are meanwhile mixed. According to IMDb, the film has a score of 5.1 out of 10 based on 24,977 ratings (via IMDb). Nevertheless, this film is particularly recommendable with regard to the upcoming release of Diablo 4. The depiction of the devilish as the supposed savior of the community touches on Lilith’s role in Diablo 4.
So it may come as no surprise that, despite mixed reviews, the film achieved a box office of over 31 million dollars (with a budget of 10 million dollars, mind you). Currently, this film can be streamed on Netflix or purchased through other media.
Also lost souls can experience redemption
The film is not a masterpiece in some eyes. However, for the intended purpose here, it surely is. Fan-favorite Morgan shows a sense of nostalgia here and ultimately grapples with his own demons. Sometimes, that can turn out well, but it can also go badly, as Diablo parts 1 and 2 have shown.
The portrayal and transformation of an anti-hero in an otherwise corrupt world fuels my enthusiasm for this film. It is an unremarkable, even arrogant character who initially appears completely unsympathetic. I and certainly many others can identify well with an average person like Fenn in the film. Many have probably also strayed from the right path, but the question remains whether it still feels right.
I also appreciate the principle of the “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. He presents himself from his supposedly beautiful side but can also become quite unpleasant when things get tough. If you want to find out what a porcelain doll has to do with Pandora’s box, you shouldn’t miss this gem.
Are you currently looking for more hidden gems? Then you shouldn’t miss the following article: 5 series on Netflix that you can binge-watch over a weekend.
