Although religion and horror are contrasting subjects, they have coexisted for decades. Exorcism, the end of days, the Antichrist, stigmata, and other controversial topics have been explored in the subgenre. Deliver Us is a new religious horror film that tackles one of humankind’s oldest themes: the Messiah vs the Antichrist.
Maria Vera Ratti plays a nun who becomes pregnant with twin boys through immaculate conception. Her pregnancy was predicted in a prophecy in which the children are identified as the Messiah and Antichrist. When the Vatican assigns a priest, played by co-director/writer Lee Roy Kunz, to the case, his life is flipped upside down in the most unexpected ways.
Despite the filmmakers working with a modest budget, it is not noticeable thanks to the stunning locations, top-notch cinematography, and high-caliber acting. Co-directors Kunz and Cru Ennis were incredibly ambitious, and it’s evident that blood, sweat, and tears went into executing this passion project. Although the premise is familiar, writers Lee Roy Kunz and Kane Kunz leaned heavily on ancient lore. The plot stretches from the biblical era to the modern day.
As the plot unfolds, the chemistry between Maria Vera Ratti and Lee Roy Kunz becomes increasingly important. Even before things get sexual – and they do – the two have a strong chemistry. It seemed forbidden while also being extremely sensual. Ratti wears several hats, including nun, mother, lover, and savior, and she meets the role’s demands well. She is a true gem of a performer. I’m hoping to see more of her work in the near future.
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Admittedly, I’m wary of films in which one of the filmmakers has a leading role. Kunz, however, was the right pick as the priest. He is a daring actor, from his erotic scenes to taking an actual ice bath, and the film benefited from the realism. While Kunz had a strong, bold presence, he supported Ratti well as she shone in her role.
Deliver Us stands out within the subgenre in ways that horror fans will either appreciate or not. It takes an almost arthouse approach, stressing narrative, character development, and an extremely tense atmosphere above standard jump scares. The constant dread, brutality, and gore pack a serious punch, but there is definitely a focus on style and eroticism that not everyone will enjoy.
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Having said that, I found Deliver Us to be a welcome addition to the subgenre. This isn’t a mainstream horror film, but it’ll indeed find an audience. The directors went big and executed their ideas well, especially given the budget constraints. For audiences in the mood for a beautifully dreary, ambitious film this Halloween season, it is now out on VOD.
