The Devil Inside: Possessions for some, miniature American flags for others!

You know when you accidentally open an unregistered version of Photoshop, and before you get rid of it you have to sit through all the introductory crap and decline to register? It's like, I didn't enjoy this, why would I go out of my way to have more of it? That's The Devil Inside. A messy, boring, infuriating piece of tripe that has me frenzy clicking Esc.

She had the last laugh. She didn't have to see this film.

I'm aware plot isn't something that is traditionally too important in horror films, but this is impossible to overlook. Isabella Rossi travels to Vatican City where her mother is being kept for murdering priests. Ma Rossi clearly doesn't like it there, because she's cutting herself. Convinced her mother's possessed, Isabella, and two Priests who Play By Their Own Rules, try and get her exorcised.

That all sounds fine. Not interesting, but fine. There are some things that need to be addressed, though. In the ward where Maria Rossi is kept, the doctor says she reacts erratically to any exposure to religion. Then a couple of scenes later, he happily lets Butch Catholicy and the Exorcist Kid wander in to her room AND THEN LEAVE THEM. A long time after erraticies begin, said doctor begins banging on the door, seemingly unable to get in, but as soon as things die down, he CASUALLY ENTERS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. Even worse than that, there's a 5 scene where British Mumbly priest wants to take his findings to the press, and Dara O'Briain priest doesn't want to. Nobody can find out about this, he cries.

......This is a found footage film. It's supposed to be a documentary. I can't.

The performances are dreadful all around. Most of the dialogue is improved, but it seems nobody involved with this film has had a single improv lesson in their lives. Lines are repeated, there's an unreal amount of stuttering, and at times you can seriously see them making things up as they go along. British Mumble priest in particular, who's actual name is Ben Rawlings, has these acting follies up the wazoo. There are full scenes where he is completely incomprehensible, and it's still more enjoyable than the melodramatic run-on sentences that apparantly take priority over plot and character development.

Oh, and everyone in Italy speaks perfect English. Everyone.

I don't need to mention the ending, do I? That horse was beaten to death long ago. What I will say though, is that the last 15 minutes are by far the most interesting, it cuts off way too abruptly, even for a found footage film, and at only 80 minutes, there's time for a whole other act. I guess that sums up The Devil Inside pretty nicely. Two thirds of a passable film.