New Showbiz

You are here:
Deliver Us from Evil

Deliver Us from Evil

2014

R

Director

Scott Derrickson

Runtime

118 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

When a frightening wave of violence sweeps through New York City, troubled cop Sarchie fails to find a rational explanation for the bizarre crimes. However, his eyes are opened to a frightening alternate reality when renegade Jesuit priest Mendoza convinces him that demonic possession may be to blame for the gruesome murders. Together, they wage a valiant supernatural struggle to rid the city of an otherworldly evil.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.3/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film follows a strictly heteronormative structure. There is no presence of non-cisnormative identities or any critique of traditional gender and orientation.

Gender Representation

Limited

Agency is concentrated in male protagonists, specifically the NYPD sergeant and the Jesuit priest. Female characters are relegated to secondary roles, often serving as victims or emotional catalysts.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The narrative maintains a predominantly white, Anglo-centric perspective. Despite the diverse New York City setting, the focus remains on a homogeneous group of protagonists.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The story uses the Catholic Church as a central pillar of defense. It frames conflict through a binary of absolute good versus evil, reinforcing established religious authority.

Disability Representation

Minimal

Psychological distress is used primarily as a plot device to heighten tension. Mental instability is framed as a character flaw or supernatural influence rather than independent agency.

Strengths

  • The film effectively utilizes the tension of psychological distress to drive its supernatural horror elements.

Areas for Improvement

  • The narrative lacks gender diversity, concentrating almost all agency within male characters.
  • The film fails to reflect the actual ethnic diversity of its New York City setting.
  • There is a complete absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-cisnormative identities.
  • The story relies on traditional religious authority rather than exploring diverse cultural or secular perspectives.

AI Analysis

Deliver Us from Evil functions as a traditional genre thriller that reinforces existing social and moral hierarchies. The narrative is built around male-dominated archetypes of law enforcement and spiritual authority, leaving little room for diverse perspectives. The film lacks intersectional complexity, opting instead for a homogeneous protagonist group and a singular religious moral compass. It relies on established tropes rather than challenging conventional power dynamics or cultural norms. Ultimately, the film prioritizes a standard procedural aesthetic that centers Western, religious, and masculine structures to combat supernatural disorder.

How are these scores produced? →

Similar Movies

Movie poster for Mara

Mara

2018

No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 3.3 out of 10

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.