Devoured

This movie is for the most part contained within a restaurant where Lourdes works as a cleaning woman to make money for her sick son's operation. We see the restaurant filled with patrons only once (early in the movie) and some close-ups of the chef's gloveless, grubby hands preparing food in the kitchen while people at the other end obliviously lap it up. For the most part though, it's after hours or before hours with Lourdes who is usually alone but sometimes with 2 other people who work at the restaurant. One is her boss, a real bitch who enjoys giving her a hard time. The other, a guy, is a first-class jerk who is always coming on to her and whose function at the restaurant beyond boffing the boss seems to be prepping meat (Don't laugh).

Lourdes is seeing and hearing things and believes the restaurant is haunted. We don't know if she is cracking up or actually experiencing certain things. But since we, the viewers, see things that she does not see because she --for example-- has her back turned, this would seem to be independent (of her) corroboration by us, the viewing audience that the restaurant is indeed haunted. Now when not mopping up, having strange experiences, and run-ins with her boss, Lourdes is (1) On the phone begging her mother to speak with her son. (2) Having personal fantasies --no, not that kind. (3) Talking to some guy she bumped into early in the movie when something spooked her and she ran out of the restaurant. (4) Desperately giving blow jobs and who knows what else to patrons for money (so we inferred anyway).

At the beginning of the movie I was captivated by it's style and anticipatory and intrigued by what was starting to happen with this woman; the things she was experiencing. What was behind them? But then the movie seemed to settle into a routine; her going to work, cleaning up, calling her mother, fantasizing about seeing her son and her friend, run-ins with her boss, and some curious unnatural experiences. I say "routine" because things didn't escalate as quickly as I would have liked. BUT THAT'S JUST ME, READER. You may have a different sense of pace should you choose to see the movie --AND YOU SHOULD, since it acquitted itself very well with a very interesting twist and explanation at the end. Well worth the wait. Love, Boloxxxi.

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.

Okay so this film may not be everyone's cup of tea but I would have thought there were enough intelligent people on IMDb to see past the (few) shortcomings and appreciate a breath of fresh air in the horror genre. Yeah its loosely art-house but don't be put off. From the beautiful cinematography to the brilliant performance of the lead actress this really is something a bit different.

I have watched countless horror/thrillers and this one really stuck with me. I really enjoy the less fantastical type of movie where you can actually believe the film could take place in the day to day world and this film does that in spades.

The deterioration of the main character initially appears a bit clichéd until the reveal when we see the full extent of her mental breakdown and understand how and why.

Do yourself a favour, rent or buy it, sit back with a nice bottle and engage your brain, you'll find an entertaining and ultimately satisfying descent into madness that could happen to any one of us.

Talk about an emotional mind f@$k! Wow! I had my doubts when I pulled up 'Devoured' on IMDb. I saw the current rating at 4.7 and that the Director, Greg Olliver, has only made documentaries and this film is his first full-length feature. I figured there was no way this film would be good, let alone, scary. Couldn't have been more wrong! I'm totally blown away by this beautifully, depressing horror film. First off, the cinematography and direction is absolutely stunning. The film forces you from the very start to sympathize and feel so much compassion for the lead who, by the way, is a fantastically talented actress. The way the first opening scene goes down, you are prepared for the end, but ultimately are pulled in by the main character's struggle. The genius part about it all is that you are so broken down by her life that every single scary moment is terrifying and stressfully confusing. I am still overwhelmed by what an emotional roller coaster this film is. Going from sad to scared to angry, then back to sad, scared and confused. Chilling, depressing, beautiful, dark and clever, 'Devoured' is a film that I will gladly file under art-house horror. This film is for the sophisticated horror connoisseur that has a palate for artistic direction and a hunger for hauntingly disturbing images. BRAVO!

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FYI: I am in no way involved with this film what-so-ever. This is my honest opinion. I watch every and all films associated within the horror genre and always give my unbiased opinion. I am all about celebrating people's love for horror and do not tolerate unnecessary film bashing.

Devoured is indeed a good movie, I know the title may be a little harsh, but there are 2 kinds of truth here:

1) Is where you just watch the movie, go with the flow, discover what's happening, observe the beautiful and fantastic acting by Marta Milans, the director's choice in every move, overall, the story, you discover the story. And you'll love it, all the little details, and trust me there are many, all the pieces that come on by one, you'll start to feel the movie, connect with the main actor and maybe, even feel a strange symbiose between you and her. The minutes will past, you'll enjoy each and every one of them, hoping to find out some more, waiting to see the destination, the final stop and of course, eventually you will. At that point, you'll add another gem to your collection, for Devoured is a great little indie horror.

2) Now you'll have a different approach, a more realistic one, you won't go head first into the movie, you will stay your ground, and simply enjoy a movie. But then again, what is there to enjoy that much? The acting is brilliant, the story quite slow, the mood is kinda depressing, and the direction is very obvious kinda from the start. Just those new people into horror will be surprised by what will happen, the rest will simply call it "you've seen it once, you've seen it a million times". And most of you did!

Overall, a borefest may be the perfect word to sum up a bigger description. I could recommend it, or I could not, I guess it will come down to how the viewer will feel at that specific moment when the movie starts to play. But be careful what you look for, cause you ain't gonna find much thrill, much horror, much originality here, you'll just find a movie made with love, but maybe, not for you!