Nefarious Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Nefarious Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 30, 2023

Nefarious earns its title from the demon-name of its main character, a convicted death row inmate in Oklahoma who has something special planned for his host body's final hours on Earth, and for the man he has summoned to his side. The film, from Writers and Directors Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon, who also wrote God's Not Dead and who both wrote and directed Unplanned, tells a story, on its surface, of standard-fare possession without much range or depth but because of its underlying spiritual themes and a scene-chewing performance from Sean Patrick Flanery (the Boondock Saints films), the film elevates a good bit from its general structure. The film engages in sometimes subtle, and sometimes significant, theological discussion and debate and moves into the mixing of the modern social order and the traditional exploration of good versus evil. The film ultimately builds an obviously pro-faith message and deals with its core content without hesitation and, by the end, explores character growth from the prism of an experience in the presence of what is believed to be very real, very tangible evil.

On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a last-minute court-ordered psychiatric evaluation. The killer surprises the psychiatrist with his claim that instead of trying to avoid his fate, he is a demon who wants the execution to go forward... and further claims that before their brief time together is over, the doctor will have committed three murders of his own.

Nefarious takes place almost exclusively on a single stage with only a few key scenes away from it bookending the film and departing from the dank and disturbing holding area where Nefarious and Dr. Martin verbally spar with one another for the bulk of the story. What takes place in here is, visually, not much to look at, but the conversation is frequently engaging because of the push to subject matters of significance. The dialogue occurs between a purported demon and a nonbeliever who at first shuns the claims and aims only to scientifically prove that his subject is fit for execution, but it does not take long for the demon to trickle in proof that he is indeed something beyond the natural, understood order of things. Various conversations ensue and theological questions are raised, and sometimes compelling stakes are presented as the conversation grows ever more urgent and both spiritually and physically real for both parties. The dialogue is sharp and well written, and the characters are effectively realized and presented. The film does use horror motifs to underscore some religious and social commentary which some audiences may find off-putting, but the sum total is a fairly engaging, and at times riveting, back-and-forth that allows the audience to see the mechanisms inside moving and influencing changing positions and postures within each character.

The film is boosted by Sean Patrick Flanery who gives a career performance and one of the best this genre has seen in some time. The confidence of the delivery and the underlying darkness within the character are established and explored with first-rate understanding of character intricacy and certainly mental clarity, which is contrasted when he is tasked with playing the "real" Edward Wayne Brady, who is simply a whimpering, sniveling, terrified man who seems to have no idea why he is in the position he is in. Flanery's ability to channel both characters, and often turn them over on a dime, is clearly the film's greatest asset, and he commands both sides of the coin with equal aplomb and depth.

Nefarious Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The 1080p transfer for Nefarious is fine if not a bit straightforward. There are some compression issues to consider throughout many of the dark backgrounds. Look at the 18:49 mark for just one of the more obvious of many examples. Otherwise, the picture is in good shape, offering satisfactory detailing that captures essential facial, clothing, and environmental textures. This is nothing that stands out at the 1080p resolution, but every frame is suitably sharp and revealing. Colors are not bold, but neither are they too flat. They do favor a very mild flatness, but the orange prison jumpsuit and Dr. Martin's blue suit jacket do stand out nicely against the predominantly bleak background of the film's central environment. Black level depth is fair, whites offer good basic clarity and brilliance, and skin tones appear to be healthy and natural.

Nefarious Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a film that is largely centered on two men talking at a table, there is actually a fair bit of interesting sonic activity going on in Nefarious' DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Listeners will note some nice heft to rumbling prison doors and the buzzers signaling their opening and closing. In addition to the heft, there is a fine sense of space and movement, for the former in particular. One of the most intense sound effects comes at the 55-minute mark when a loud, electrical charge sound is heard as the prison tests the generator which will later electrocute Edward Wayne Brady. Finally, later in the film at points during the third act, booming, rolling, and lingering thunder spread through the listening area with a great deal of power and positional awareness. Still, dialogue is the main driver here, and it is presented with good clarity and firm front-center placement and prioritization.

Nefarious Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Nefarious contains a few extras. No DVD or digital copies are included, but Mill Creek has included a non-embossed slipcover.

• The Making of Nefarious (1080p, 32:42): A look at the film's themes of the struggle between good and evil, the explored theology in the film, project origins, the source material book and changes from it, casting and performances, shooting locales, the film's ultimate success factors, and more.
• Audio Commentary: Directors Cary Solomon & Chuck Konzelman and Producer Chris Jones.
• Audio Commentary: Sean Patrick Flanery and Jordan Belfi.
• Interview with an Exorcist with Father Carlos Martins (1080p, 15:50): The Father discusses his real-life experiences with possession.
• Speak of the Devil: Demonic Manifestations and Attacks in Making the Film (1080p, 24:57): A detailed look at spiritual warfare on the set of Nefarious.
• Nefarious Easter Eggs (1080p, 14:36): A detailed look at some of the easter eggs seen throughout the film.

Nefarious Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Nefarious, perhaps curiously but ultimately effectively, builds a faith-based film from the holdings of the Horror and demon possession genres. It's effective as both a straight genre film thanks to Flanery's robust performance as the title demon, but those in search of something with some theological underpinnings and dialoguing will find the movie to be a worthwhile and at times compelling watch. Mill Creek's Blu-ray delivers solid enough video and audio as well as a few supplements. Worth a look for interested parties.