I'm sure I've written before on IMDb about how dire most Hollywood flicks are. I constantly search for the alternatives, ie. those flying low, and off the radar, but I must admit of course, that a lot of low budget flicks can be pretty awful.
I came across Devoured online, and while it's not super low budget, these days it's meagre $1.5million ranks as quite low compared to most (effects laden) cinematic garbage stinking our movie houses. Devoured however, walks all over most of them.
From the opening scene of the dead girl surrounded by police, we go back with her to a time when she was alive, I can't say happily alive, because her existence (we come to learn) has been driven only by the need to earn money for her ailing sons medical care back in Mexico. But this isn't some sugary sweet tale of parenthood.
Devoured is darkly atmospheric, and while some may consider it slowly paced I thought it was marvelously done. It slowly builds pity for, and connection with, the leading girl suffering her daily trek, to and from work, to achieve her only goal. And by the time it gets to a scene where she is assaulted by her female bosses boyfriend, her tears are enough to move you to tears (almost) too. I thought that scene was brilliantly done, no words or struggle from her, no change of expression, just tears. Fantastic.
I haven't mentioned yet that some sinister presence means she's not alone in the building at night. The CCTV cameras follow her moves which really makes it feel as if we are there watching her too. She continues to work for minimum wage and send money home to Mexico with a few calls along the way to her mother (and son) telling them she''ll be home soon. All the time though, we know something isn't right with a strange figure appearing in the restaurant at random intervals, along with strange visions and experiences. Each new day is heralded by a scene of some food preparation (this works pretty well), and the atmosphere of what it must be like to be alone in NYC is delivered with stark style.
And then, the ending....
The last ten minutes really bring an excellent pay off. Im not going to spoil it for you, but as a horror fan it certainly hit the mark. This is the kind of gem low budget genre fans spend their time searching for and it's great when you find one that isn't some boring "found footage" thing like Blair Witch or ridiculous teens in a forest slasher rubbish.
EDIT:
I would like to state that in no way am I involved in this movie which has been harshly stated here by jga30328 in a uncalled for personal attack. I have asked him to remove this post or at least edit it. I liked the movie, he didn't. That's fair enough. Attacking someone directly because you disagree with a personal opinion doesn't seem right to me, especially when you've only reviewed one movie in 5yrs of membership lol.
