70 reviews
Ahaha...Ok.
Oh boy, nope...
2 different films. Neither of them is good enough, neither of them has a conclusion, neither of them seems to know what it wants to tell, except questioning faith and beliefs. At the end of the day, as a non-believer, this gave me something close to zero.
2 different films. Neither of them is good enough, neither of them has a conclusion, neither of them seems to know what it wants to tell, except questioning faith and beliefs. At the end of the day, as a non-believer, this gave me something close to zero.
- PedroPires90
- Dec 17, 2021
- Permalink
Would've been rated higher if not packaged as a horror film
The first section of AGNES plays out like your standard exorcism flick, complete with a disgraced veteran priest, an eager rookie, and a couple of mismatched nuns, including one who is allegedly possessed.
Then the film switches, without warning, to the future where Mary, friend of the possessed title character, has left the convent and is trying to find her way in the world among sleazy bosses and a muppet-looking stand up comic.
Packaged as a horror film, AGNES is more of a serious drama on religious contemplation, with the exorcism section acting as a prologue, and hence I don't think too many horror fans will be happy with it. As a quirky drama it's fine, and the goofy Father Black is worthy of his own film, but as it is AGNES is a case of either false advertising, or perhaps was packaged as a horror film as the distributor had no idea how to label it.
For nun/exorcism completists only.
Then the film switches, without warning, to the future where Mary, friend of the possessed title character, has left the convent and is trying to find her way in the world among sleazy bosses and a muppet-looking stand up comic.
Packaged as a horror film, AGNES is more of a serious drama on religious contemplation, with the exorcism section acting as a prologue, and hence I don't think too many horror fans will be happy with it. As a quirky drama it's fine, and the goofy Father Black is worthy of his own film, but as it is AGNES is a case of either false advertising, or perhaps was packaged as a horror film as the distributor had no idea how to label it.
For nun/exorcism completists only.
- NickKnack68
- Apr 24, 2022
- Permalink
Agnes or Mary?
Greetings again from the darkness. William Friedkin's 1973 movie THE EXORCIST, adapted from William Peter Blatty's novel, shook the movie world at the time. It even garnered 10 Oscar nominations, winning two (Best Sound, Best Adapted Screenplay). Over the nearly 50 years since, there have been five sequels in the franchise, and it has inspired countless genre movies, including parodies and knock-offs. Writer-Director Mickey Reece and co-writer and frequent collaborator John Selvidge deliver a set-up that leads us to believe we are in for yet another faith-based horror film focusing on demonic possession. Instead, what follows is more like two distinct stories.
Hayley McFarland (THE CONJURING, 2013) plays the titular Sister Agnes, and her outburst during a group meal with her fellow nuns startles us, and leads the Mother Superior (Mary Buss) to request assistance from the Catholic Church to address what appears to be demonic possession of Agnes. Chosen for the mission are a contrasting oddball pair of priests. The young, full of faith, not yet ordained Benjamin (Jake Horowitz, THE VAST OF NIGHT), and the elder, cynical, soon-to-be-banished Father Donaghue (Ben Hall) are sent to administer the exorcism ... a process that Father Donaghue views as a convenient "out" for the one suffering.
The priests arrive at the convent, making for an interesting and uncomfortable dynamic. The exorcism takes a nasty turn that stuns Benjamin and the nuns, and leaves Donaghue humiliated and damaged. Desperate for the right step, Father Black (Chris Browning), a celebrity priest, is called in, along with his strange and out-of-place chain-smoking travel partner. This attempt at dispensing the demon goes no better than the first, but it's here where some will find a touch of dark humor and really get a sense of filmmaker Reece's unconventional style of storytelling. Reece then shifts our attention and the film's focus to Mary (Molly C Quinn, "Castle"), Agnes's best friend in the convent. After the incidents with Agnes, Mary's faith is shaken. She turns in her habit and heads out into the real world. The entire perspective shifts as we follow Mary's attempt to find her place ... searching for something to believe in while struggling to pay the rent, and fending off unwelcome advances and oddball co-workers.
Mary's naivety is not an asset to her in this new life, and she does connect with stand-up comedian Paul (Sean Gunn), who was once in a relationship with Agnes. The character of Paul injects yet another dimension here, but we never lose sight of what Mary is going through. The topics of power and faith stand out most as we work through the film. Those expecting a traditional horror movie may be disappointed after the first act, while those open to some dark humor may be rewarded.
In theaters and VOD beginning December 10, 2021.
Hayley McFarland (THE CONJURING, 2013) plays the titular Sister Agnes, and her outburst during a group meal with her fellow nuns startles us, and leads the Mother Superior (Mary Buss) to request assistance from the Catholic Church to address what appears to be demonic possession of Agnes. Chosen for the mission are a contrasting oddball pair of priests. The young, full of faith, not yet ordained Benjamin (Jake Horowitz, THE VAST OF NIGHT), and the elder, cynical, soon-to-be-banished Father Donaghue (Ben Hall) are sent to administer the exorcism ... a process that Father Donaghue views as a convenient "out" for the one suffering.
The priests arrive at the convent, making for an interesting and uncomfortable dynamic. The exorcism takes a nasty turn that stuns Benjamin and the nuns, and leaves Donaghue humiliated and damaged. Desperate for the right step, Father Black (Chris Browning), a celebrity priest, is called in, along with his strange and out-of-place chain-smoking travel partner. This attempt at dispensing the demon goes no better than the first, but it's here where some will find a touch of dark humor and really get a sense of filmmaker Reece's unconventional style of storytelling. Reece then shifts our attention and the film's focus to Mary (Molly C Quinn, "Castle"), Agnes's best friend in the convent. After the incidents with Agnes, Mary's faith is shaken. She turns in her habit and heads out into the real world. The entire perspective shifts as we follow Mary's attempt to find her place ... searching for something to believe in while struggling to pay the rent, and fending off unwelcome advances and oddball co-workers.
Mary's naivety is not an asset to her in this new life, and she does connect with stand-up comedian Paul (Sean Gunn), who was once in a relationship with Agnes. The character of Paul injects yet another dimension here, but we never lose sight of what Mary is going through. The topics of power and faith stand out most as we work through the film. Those expecting a traditional horror movie may be disappointed after the first act, while those open to some dark humor may be rewarded.
In theaters and VOD beginning December 10, 2021.
- ferguson-6
- Dec 7, 2021
- Permalink
This was just downright horrible...
I was lured in to watching the 2021 horror drama "Agnes" on account of the movie having a rather interesting poster/cover, and also because the movie's synopsis sounded interesting. Sure, I hadn't even heard about this movie from writers Mickey Reece and John Selvidge prior to sitting down to watch it, so I had no idea what I was in for.
And boy, oh boy, this movie was a swing and a miss. Sure, it starts out okay and the first part of the movie, which takes place inside a confined convent was actually interesting, but then the movie nosedived and never recovered. What started out as an interesting horror movie ended up as an insanely boring drama about an ex-nun.
This movie from director Mickey Reece failed to entertain me or impress me. Sure, I enjoyed the first part of the movie, but it all unraveled when Sister Mary (played by Molly C. Quinn) upped and left the convent. At that point the movie just became pointless, and everything that director Mickey Reece had built up inside the convent segment just shattered like fragile porcelaine.
If you enjoy horror movies, like I do, don't succumb to the pitfall of sitting down to watch "Agnes", because this movie was a stinker. I wasted an hour and 33 minutes on this ordeal so you don't have to. But even the first part of the movie - the horror part in the convent - was pretty slow paced and never really came to any fruition, as it ended just as it started to become good.
My rating of "Agnes" lands on a most generous two out of ten stars. And what keeps the movie away from a single star rating is some adequate acting performances. But the script and storyline was just horrible, and the total change of genre along the way just broke the movie entirely.
And boy, oh boy, this movie was a swing and a miss. Sure, it starts out okay and the first part of the movie, which takes place inside a confined convent was actually interesting, but then the movie nosedived and never recovered. What started out as an interesting horror movie ended up as an insanely boring drama about an ex-nun.
This movie from director Mickey Reece failed to entertain me or impress me. Sure, I enjoyed the first part of the movie, but it all unraveled when Sister Mary (played by Molly C. Quinn) upped and left the convent. At that point the movie just became pointless, and everything that director Mickey Reece had built up inside the convent segment just shattered like fragile porcelaine.
If you enjoy horror movies, like I do, don't succumb to the pitfall of sitting down to watch "Agnes", because this movie was a stinker. I wasted an hour and 33 minutes on this ordeal so you don't have to. But even the first part of the movie - the horror part in the convent - was pretty slow paced and never really came to any fruition, as it ended just as it started to become good.
My rating of "Agnes" lands on a most generous two out of ten stars. And what keeps the movie away from a single star rating is some adequate acting performances. But the script and storyline was just horrible, and the total change of genre along the way just broke the movie entirely.
- paul_haakonsen
- Dec 9, 2021
- Permalink
Abysmal, nothing there. Cant believe it was released!
What the hell was that?
2 semi cool scenes of demonic possession and then, nothing. In fact, it is like a second movie started. No explanations, no real backstory, no resolution.
I am baffled.
No redeeming value. A few good performances but they had nothing to work with. I am really astounded at how this movie ever got to the production stage.
I feel ripped off. Avoid this.
2 semi cool scenes of demonic possession and then, nothing. In fact, it is like a second movie started. No explanations, no real backstory, no resolution.
I am baffled.
No redeeming value. A few good performances but they had nothing to work with. I am really astounded at how this movie ever got to the production stage.
I feel ripped off. Avoid this.
Not engaging
"Agnes" is slow paced, and has an unfocused plot. There's not much happening, and events are not well developed. The ending is very weak. Overall, it is not scary and not engaging.
Hard to imagine a worse directing
People are right when they say only the first half is a conventional horror. It was weird, tongue-in-cheek, and perhaps even sorta entertaining horror. But then the second half emerges, and it feels like a completely new film. A more dramatic sequel, some might suggest. But absolutely not the film you started watching. And Lord, it was insufferable.
I spent a great deal of time trying to figure what in the world was that. The truth is that it was a horrible script made into an unnecessary, not scary, brain-damaging garbage helmed by one of the worst directing I've even had a displeasure to witness. The greatest mystery is how main actors agreed to participate. It's not that the budget was huge or creators were well-known and respected. Why was it made? Why had I punished myself by watching it completely although it became painful past the first hour? If you love Jesus or decent horror firms, avoid Agnes like a burning dumpster.
I spent a great deal of time trying to figure what in the world was that. The truth is that it was a horrible script made into an unnecessary, not scary, brain-damaging garbage helmed by one of the worst directing I've even had a displeasure to witness. The greatest mystery is how main actors agreed to participate. It's not that the budget was huge or creators were well-known and respected. Why was it made? Why had I punished myself by watching it completely although it became painful past the first hour? If you love Jesus or decent horror firms, avoid Agnes like a burning dumpster.
- IzzyMaeDoorite
- Dec 10, 2021
- Permalink
Starts with a clever take, then gets proud of how clever it is
- BandSAboutMovies
- Sep 24, 2021
- Permalink
I prayed for it to end!
This movie is awful.. the acting,the story, just a waste of $7 and an hr and a half of my life. So forced and predictable and was kinda all over the place. Dont waste your time or money!
- jimmyb-03299
- Dec 27, 2021
- Permalink
High value for a low budget indie
For some reason everyone rates movies on an 'avenger's budget' standard. No green screen or people flying around on wires in this movie.
As far as low budget indies go they did a great job and achieved a production value far in excess of their budget restraints. There was interesting dialog and some good performances in Agnes. Mickey Reeces' quirky and interesting style of directing is evident and we enjoyed seeing how he played with the various scenes and characters. We loved a lot of the witty dialog. The 'hero walk' down the hallway was an epic scene.
Solid performances from Sullivan, McFarland, Browning, and Hall, all made their characters believable and relatable.
Even though the second half of the movie is considerably slower than the first half Quinn, Gunn, and Horowitz put in good performances and do a terrific job carrying the story.
The ending was a little soft and we needed a little more closer on the story.
As far as low budget indies go they did a great job and achieved a production value far in excess of their budget restraints. There was interesting dialog and some good performances in Agnes. Mickey Reeces' quirky and interesting style of directing is evident and we enjoyed seeing how he played with the various scenes and characters. We loved a lot of the witty dialog. The 'hero walk' down the hallway was an epic scene.
Solid performances from Sullivan, McFarland, Browning, and Hall, all made their characters believable and relatable.
Even though the second half of the movie is considerably slower than the first half Quinn, Gunn, and Horowitz put in good performances and do a terrific job carrying the story.
The ending was a little soft and we needed a little more closer on the story.
- matt-34400
- Jan 1, 2022
- Permalink
Not a horror movie
I don't know what I just watched but it wasn't a horror movie. I don't know if it's some sort of religious movie in disguise but do yourself a favor and don't watch this.
- jorge-36959
- May 8, 2022
- Permalink
Deeply Catholic, occasionally hilarious, profound
This is not your typical horror flick; not sure it is even horror. Instead, it's a brilliantly acted exploration of what people say and think about life, Catholicism, and themselves.
Some of the film seems to show, not what is happening, but how the people involved are experiencing what is happening. I don't know if there are demons or not, and much of the film deals with the aftermath of an exorcism. Perhaps that ambiguity is what bothers some people?
For those with ears to hear, you may find moments of hilarity and sadness and creepiness and more. And there's a heartfelt metaphor at the end that is sheer genius.
This is a brave, inspired film that is as off kilter and exuberant as people are ourselves.
Some of the film seems to show, not what is happening, but how the people involved are experiencing what is happening. I don't know if there are demons or not, and much of the film deals with the aftermath of an exorcism. Perhaps that ambiguity is what bothers some people?
For those with ears to hear, you may find moments of hilarity and sadness and creepiness and more. And there's a heartfelt metaphor at the end that is sheer genius.
This is a brave, inspired film that is as off kilter and exuberant as people are ourselves.
Subtle and subversive and intriguing
What starts as a possession film with elements of almost absurdist comedic over the top acting shifts halfway through toward a questioning contemplative study of faith, possession, and connection. This isn't a standard film that most people who are drawn to religious possession films will most likely enjoy. It is a smaller independent film with subtle themes. Molly C. Quinn gives an excellent quiet performance that I felt captured the uncertainty of faith, the sense of lost love, and the personal confusion when trying to find one's way in life. The film does better in the second half with the personal exploration than the possession elements.
- jmbovan-47-160173
- Oct 19, 2022
- Permalink
Where was the plot??
This movie was so disappointing that I had to review it. Starts off slow and creepy, then just dissolves into meandering, plotless nothing and then ends. I honestly can't even pinpoint a climax, and I didn't feel like it gave enough explanation for the things that did happen. Like sex where someone nibbles your earlobe and you're like, okay, this is going to be a good time, then they just nibble your earlobe for an hour and a half and you're like... I feel stupid for letting you do this.
- SLKneeland
- Jul 14, 2022
- Permalink
So much potential - such an awful ending
This movie was slow, but sort of creepy. I was really into it and then, it just stopped! I don't mean that it ended, it just stopped. This could have been a great movie, but it just leaves you hanging.
- eric-wallis
- Dec 10, 2021
- Permalink
From Good to utter rubbish
- panther_husky
- Dec 11, 2021
- Permalink
The most boring and weird movie
Linda... BLAH!
Head spinning in denial. That's just me in disbelief that I just sat through this horror of a dismemberment of 2 entirely separate egocentric story that leads to no where. Bring back all the sequels to The Exorcist. At least the lowest expectations for some cheap thrills were met for B grade cult fans.
- akira-hideyo
- Dec 12, 2021
- Permalink
Oh Dear
I gave this 1 star only because I was not able to give it no stars. Started with some promise then simply fell off a cliff. Shallow and very poorly acted. Apparently I need to carry on insulting this movie until I've used at least 150 characters.
- albertatack
- Dec 11, 2021
- Permalink
So self important it'd make an ouroboros blush
- natnightly
- Oct 22, 2023
- Permalink
Not quite horror, but something different and interesting
I watch a lot of horror, so maybe I'm jaded, but this film does not deserve the hate it seems to have gotten. It's a beautifully filmed, well acted, somewhat nonlinear piece that's hard to put a finger on and offers no great resolution. It feels more European to me, in a good way, than American, but I'm not a film expert.
I like how the protagonist shifts midway. I like how it feels intentionally like two or three short movies stitched together. I like the mostly implied menace of the maybe real, maybe metaphoric demon. It has a sort of Twin Peaks vibe.
Another show that left me with similar feelings was Black Narcissus, the series not the original b&w movie. Completely different, but, you know, nuns, ambiguity, tension... If you're open to a film that's not quite horror and that leaves you with more questions than answers, you might enjoy this. I watched it on Hulu expecting a Conjuring/Nun type flick - which I enjoy - and was pleasantly surprised with my mistake.
I like how the protagonist shifts midway. I like how it feels intentionally like two or three short movies stitched together. I like the mostly implied menace of the maybe real, maybe metaphoric demon. It has a sort of Twin Peaks vibe.
Another show that left me with similar feelings was Black Narcissus, the series not the original b&w movie. Completely different, but, you know, nuns, ambiguity, tension... If you're open to a film that's not quite horror and that leaves you with more questions than answers, you might enjoy this. I watched it on Hulu expecting a Conjuring/Nun type flick - which I enjoy - and was pleasantly surprised with my mistake.
- bill-928-383987
- Sep 29, 2023
- Permalink
Okay when it's horror, not worthwhile elsewhere
Following a series of strange outbursts, a disgraced priest and his young friend are sent to investigate the stories of demonic possession plaguing a remote convent but when the incidents cause one of the nuns to leave the convent and start her life over the events of that day still weigh on her.
This was a rather enjoyable low-key genre effort. Among the more impressive elements in the film is also a potentially troubling one in the stripped-down, minimalist approach here. Generally more concerned with endless dialogue conversations that spread the idea of the trouble in the convent as much as the visual cues that would clue someone into the potential of what's happening, that one manages the rare feat of giving an interest to the conversations taking place. With the two going back-and-forth together about the possible outcomes in their quest, the religious implications of their faith-based profession, and their backstories impacting the real reason for the visit alongside the numerous conversations between the nuns about what's happening to the possessed in their clergy, it has plenty to like with the stripped-down, conversation-heavy approach. When the film moves into more obvious and overt horror territory, there's quite a lot to like here. The initial scene of the outburst she throws signaling that something might be going on with her friend that includes all the usual associations with the genre including swearing viciously, countless religious blasphemies being uttered at anyone that will listen, and spastic body contortions that are supposedly impossible for a person to accomplish on their own that feel rather expected but no less enjoyable. The exploits of the several exorcisms that are carried out are kept rather low-key like the conversations but it has some intriguing aspects including the physical remnants of the interactions that are rather brutal with how shockingly sudden they come off with some mild but effective gore-gags in place. Overall, these here are the films' enjoyable and positive aspects. There are some issues here, and it is a singular point in the film that stands out. The second half of the film where it drops the convent for a drama about the friends' life after leaving is a complete tonal shift to what's happened before that it drags the film down heavily. The complete lack of anything remotely horror-related here with the film dropping the demonic possessions and religious fervor in favor of a slice-of-life drama revolving around the best friend attempting to reintegrate into society with a low-paying job, lousy apartment and a lack of social life is something that will disappoint most looking for constant thrills. Not only that, the fact that these scenes focus on the friend instead of the possessed individual of the film's title, who disappears with no resolution about her possessed state, shows a weird lack of interest in the main character, rendering a lot of it pointless. It's significant and holds this one back a lot.
Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.
This was a rather enjoyable low-key genre effort. Among the more impressive elements in the film is also a potentially troubling one in the stripped-down, minimalist approach here. Generally more concerned with endless dialogue conversations that spread the idea of the trouble in the convent as much as the visual cues that would clue someone into the potential of what's happening, that one manages the rare feat of giving an interest to the conversations taking place. With the two going back-and-forth together about the possible outcomes in their quest, the religious implications of their faith-based profession, and their backstories impacting the real reason for the visit alongside the numerous conversations between the nuns about what's happening to the possessed in their clergy, it has plenty to like with the stripped-down, conversation-heavy approach. When the film moves into more obvious and overt horror territory, there's quite a lot to like here. The initial scene of the outburst she throws signaling that something might be going on with her friend that includes all the usual associations with the genre including swearing viciously, countless religious blasphemies being uttered at anyone that will listen, and spastic body contortions that are supposedly impossible for a person to accomplish on their own that feel rather expected but no less enjoyable. The exploits of the several exorcisms that are carried out are kept rather low-key like the conversations but it has some intriguing aspects including the physical remnants of the interactions that are rather brutal with how shockingly sudden they come off with some mild but effective gore-gags in place. Overall, these here are the films' enjoyable and positive aspects. There are some issues here, and it is a singular point in the film that stands out. The second half of the film where it drops the convent for a drama about the friends' life after leaving is a complete tonal shift to what's happened before that it drags the film down heavily. The complete lack of anything remotely horror-related here with the film dropping the demonic possessions and religious fervor in favor of a slice-of-life drama revolving around the best friend attempting to reintegrate into society with a low-paying job, lousy apartment and a lack of social life is something that will disappoint most looking for constant thrills. Not only that, the fact that these scenes focus on the friend instead of the possessed individual of the film's title, who disappears with no resolution about her possessed state, shows a weird lack of interest in the main character, rendering a lot of it pointless. It's significant and holds this one back a lot.
Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.
- kannibalcorpsegrinder
- Aug 25, 2021
- Permalink
Not worth the time.
Thought it would be good, started out ok and then went down hill from there. I was kind of confused when we just started following another woman around in her daily life of an ex nun. Bored me honestly.
- heatherjustintrenton
- Aug 4, 2022
- Permalink
Clusterflop with a side order of garbage
This movie was slow and went nowhere. Whoever directed this should do something more at their skill level like be a garbage man because they know how to carry garbage very well. This movie is proof of that.
Agnes
It started out really good and as I was thinking that it would be a great horror film everything changed when after some time it became a drama and a pretty boring drama with nothing to offer I was so excited for nothing and it left me with a lot of questions.
- marinaant-36217
- Dec 10, 2021
- Permalink