My Honest Review: “Conjuring the Cult” – Another Half-Baked Horror That Could’ve Been Great
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Let’s cut to the chase – “Conjuring the Cult” is one of those frustrating films that dangles greatness in front of you, only to stumble into mediocrity. Breaking Glass Pictures, usually reliable for delivering solid indie horror, seems to be running on autopilot here.
The opening gut punch – David finding his daughter dead in the bathtub – is genuinely disturbing and masterfully executed. It’s raw, unflinching, and sets up what should have been a brutal exploration of grief. But here’s where things start to unravel.
The Good Stuff (Because There Is Some)
The technical work deserves serious props. The cinematography has this grimy, unsettling quality that gets under your skin – think “Hereditary” meets “Martha Marcy May Marlene.” The sound design is particularly nasty (in the best way), with this constant undercurrent of dread that makes even mundane scenes feel off-kilter.
David’s performance walks a fine line between unhinged and sympathetic. There’s this one scene where he’s watching old home videos that’s absolutely crushing – no dialogue, just pure emotional devastation. This is where the movie shows what it could have been.
Where It All Falls Apart
The cult storyline feels like it was cobbled together from better movies. We get these tantalizing glimpses of genuinely creepy ritual stuff, but instead of diving deep, the film skims the surface. The cultists themselves are about as threatening as a group of theater kids in black robes.
The script can’t seem to decide if it’s a grief study or a supernatural thriller, so it half-asses both. There are these brilliant moments of psychological horror that get undermined by cheap jump scares and nonsensical plot twists. It’s like watching two different movies fighting for dominance.
The Third Act Problem
Without spoiling anything, the ending is a mess. That “twist” you’ll see coming from a mile away feels less like a clever revelation and more like the writers painted themselves into a corner. It’s not terrible, but it’s the kind of ending that makes you go “that’s it?” rather than “holy shit.”
Breaking Glass Pictures’ Track Record
Look, Breaking Glass Pictures has given us some solid indie horror gems, but they’re playing it too safe here. Their previous films like “The Dark Below” and “Night’s End” took more risks. “Conjuring the Cult” feels like they’re trying to appeal to a broader audience while losing what makes their films special.
Worth Your Time?
If you’re a die-hard horror fan who can appreciate strong technical elements and doesn’t mind a somewhat generic story, give it a shot. But temper your expectations. This isn’t going to be the next cult classic (pun intended).
For newcomers to supernatural horror, start with “Kill List” or “A Dark Song” instead – they handle similar themes with more confidence and originality.
The Verdict
“Conjuring the Cult” is like a promising band’s difficult second album – all the elements are there, but something crucial got lost in the execution. It’s not a complete waste of time, but it’s a reminder that in horror, playing it safe is often the biggest sin of all.
Technical Specs:
- Runtime: 108 minutes
- Rated: R (strong disturbing violence, ritualistic content, language throughout)
- Available on VOD platforms
- Director: Marcus Thompson
- Writer: Sarah Chen-Martinez
- Production Company: Breaking Glass Pictures
- IMDB: Conjuring the Cult (2024)
This could have been Breaking Glass Pictures’ breakout hit. Instead, it’s a footnote in their catalog – watchable but forgettable. Here’s hoping their next project remembers that true horror comes from taking risks, not playing it safe.
Last Updated on December 31, 2024 by Horror Facts
