Michael Mahal and Sonny Mahal are two of the hardest-working and most prolific producers in independent horror. They've mastered the art of crowd-funding, and as the saying goes, nobody does it better. Their latest project, Devil's Knight, is another hit in their growing catalog of films.
Coming hot off last year's Bermuda Island, Devil's Knight, directed by Adam Werth, takes us to medieval times, where monsters roam the land. The settings in this movie are elaborate and authentic, showing that the Mahals spared no expense in making their biggest production to date.
The movie opens with a group of trackers on a mission to kill a creature, setting the mood with a tense campfire scene that quickly turns into a bloodbath. The lighting and choreography in this sequence are excellent, with splatter effects that horror fans will appreciate. It's a strong start to the movie, promising bloodshed and action that only ramps up from there.
In Devil's Knight, the people live in fear of the monsters roaming the countryside. King Samuel (Kevin Hager) of Veroka hires an elite group of global monster hunters, known as the Lost Blades, to hunt and kill the ancient Bone Devil, whose reign of terror threatens the Kingdom of Remény. The Lost Blades are a ruthless, efficient group, and we get a taste of their skills early on. But, as in any good story, there are deeper layers-conspiracy and betrayal lurk behind every corner, and no one can be trusted in the Kingdom of Remény. The plot is rich with intrigue, and the writing by Vincent V. Gelsomino and Adam Werth is tight, giving the audience exactly what they want: monster action and political drama.
The Mahals know their audience well and have once again gathered a fantastic cast and crew to bring their vision to life. Tom Devlin's creature designs are terrifying, perhaps his best work yet, and the practical effects are top-notch. Fans of classic sword-and-sorcery films will find much to love here, with beautiful women, heroic knights, magic, beasts, and carnage galore. What sets Devil's Knight apart is the balance of power between good and evil-neither side stands out as predictable, which keeps the audience on their toes.
The film's technical aspects are worth noting as well. Vanessa Giacoletti's makeup, Joanna David's costumes, Terence J. Rotolo's stunt coordination, Tyler David Gilbert's score, and Michael Su's stunning cinematography all come together to create an immersive world that's both beautiful and terrifying.
Overall, Devil's Knight is another solid entry from the Mahal Empire. They continue to deliver films that please their core audience, and with four more projects in the pipeline-Alien Horde, Cursed Waters, Alien Storm, and Bikers vs. Werewolves-it's clear they have no plans of slowing down. I'm personally excited for what's next. Cheers to another great movie!
