Incarnate Delivers Something New

Brad Peyton's film is different than other horror films in a lot of ways. In fact, this story isn't as scary as it is psychological. The Vatican requests the help of an "Eviction" Scientist and Cynic Dr. Ember (Aaron Eckhart) who is able to enter a person's subconscious. This is the unique aspect of the film in that Dr. Ember steps into a dream-like place of demon-possessed victims--in this case, the focus is on a young boy, Cameron--and actually interacts with them in an attempt to warn them away from the demon. In reality, they have already been taken by the demon, but in this dream state, if he can get through, and they actually listen, then they can wake up and shed the demon. I think it's a fascinating imaginative concept and the movie certainly compels with its gripping visual appeals. Though the movie doesn't really settle into a jump-scare mode, possessed Cameron is actually pretty creepy because he sits there quite still for the most part so you are never really able to tell what to expect, so therein lies the most chilling aspect of the story. Peyton's goal, here, is not to horrify you but rather to engage you in the gossamer story line of a scientist's past and a broken family. Dr. Ember's motives are self-driven at first. His tragic past involves a specifically named demon, Maggie, and so finding "her" and destroying her once and for all becomes his bigger mission. He has no faith, just a desire for revenge. And being in a wheelchair is no deterrence. He shuns the beliefs of the Church and cares little about Cameron. But over the course of the 'eviction', Ember does begin to care beyond himself. The demon transference is a bit hard to digest--as soon as the person dies, the demon spirit is able to jump right into the next body, but it only has a few seconds. The other problem with this idea is that it is never explained why these people become victims, just that seemingly whoever is closest can. The film's redeeming quality lies within Ember's tenacious resolve to save people from evil. The ending, I think, is surprisingly gratifying by Hollywood's standards because it doesn't take the overly done cynical road.

#Incarnate #AaronEckhart #CaricevanHouten