Devil's Knight

"This could have been so much better" was what my overall initial thought process was throughout this entire fantasy movie. It tried and for a low budget production it ticked most of the boxes, yet somehow I couldn't help but feel disappointed and unsatisfied with the Final Cut. Devil's Knight by Adam Werth is predictable and half-baked most of the time. There were some scenes I had to scratch my head at and the the action scenes were badly edited and cheorgraphed. Felt like I was watching a power rangers episode from the 90's. This definitely isn't one of Mahal Empire's best films. Arena Wars is better.

I just watched the latest Mahal Empire movie, Devil's Knight, which will be premiering just in time for Halloween. If you're familiar with Mahal Empire movies you know they make high quality indie horror movies with budgets in the ballpark of $300k-$400k. These aren't ultra low-to-no-budget $5-$20k indie horror movies, they're polished and have high production value. They're not quite Terrifier 3, but they're miles beyond most of the ultra low budget stuff we watch on Tubi.

If you've seen previous Mahal Empire movies such as Attack of the Unknown, Bridge of the Doomed, Bermuda Island, Night of the Tommyknockers, Bloodthirst, or Arena Wars you'll recognize a lot of actors from this massive ensemble cast. Even if you're unfamiliar with Mahal movies, you'll recognize Daniel Baldwin, who I've loved since Homicide: Life on the Street, and Oscar nominee Eric Roberts who was fantastic in Christopher Nolan's Hollywood blockbuster The Dark Knight. Angie Everhart (Bordello of Blood, Another 9 1/2 weeks) is another familiar face, and John Wells, who was excellent as the lead in Arena Wars and Bermuda Island, shines again here.

As I've said many times in the past, Greg Tally is a chameleon. I first saw Tally in Bermuda Island and Craving, and it's hard to believe those two characters were played by the same actor. He does it again in Devil's Night. He's basically the Gary Oldman of indie horror, he successfully undergoes a transformation for every movie role.

Mahal Empire regulars Darryl Goldberg and Janet Wang have an awesome scene together in this, Janet's character is fantastic and I'm pleased to see her in a role that really shows off how talented she is. She shines in Devil's Knight. I expect to see her in even bigger and better roles in the future. Bishop Stevens looks great (and huge!) as the Minotaur. Wesley Cannon and Denny Nolan are a couple of other Mahal regulars you'll recognize, and indie legend Rudy Ledbetter makes an appearance - drink! Kevin Hager is great as the King. Victor V Gelsomino, another Mahal staple not only acts in this one, but is also one of the writers, credited along with director Adam Werth.

Mahal Empire movies use a lot of supporter talent and these actors consistently give better performances than many established "big name" actors who appear in other low budget indie movies, which is a testament to the great directors the Mahal brothers hire, and shows a quality director is one who can get the best performances out of their cast. Adam Werth, who directed Devil's Night and Bermuda Island, and Michael Su who was the director of photography on Devil's Knight, and who previously directed Bloodthirst and Bridge of the Doomed, illustrate how great directors can elevate their cast. I've heard Craving director J. Horton has been tapped to direct a Mahal movie in the future and he's another director who really makes the most of what he has to work with. If you're an aspiring actor just starting out and you want great, top quality footage with high production value for your reel, sign on to a Mahal Empire movie.

Joanna David did a fantastic job on the costumes, everything has an authentic feel, especially the armor. The Mahal brothers went all out and leased an actual castle for this movie, they didn't just film it all in front of a green screen as many lower budget movies would have to do out of necessity. It makes an incredible difference and really shows through in the final product. Tyler David Gilbert's score is great and sets the medieval tone perfectly. Really adds to the film and sucks you into the era.

Vanessa Giacoletti's makeup work is phenomenal, John Wells and Janet Wang in particular looked excellent. Tom Devlin (Daredevil,Red Dragon) is a master of practical effects and a true artist. The Bone Demon and Hook Creature both look fantastic. Devlin's team did an incredible job and there are lots of great kills with phenomenal practical effects. Lots of blood flying around in this one.

Stunt coordinator Terence J. Rotolo did an amazing job with the fight choreography, this is an action movie as much as it's a horror movie, and there are several very well acted fight scenes that looked far more believable and realistic than what I usually see in indie horror. One action sequence that really stood out was a sword fight between Kim Kelly and Sarah Nicklin, who both absolutely nailed it. Again, Mahal Empire movies really are a step up from most of the indie content I watch. I love no budget horror movies but you can really see the difference in quality when you're watching a Mahal movie.

I won't spoil the ending, obviously, but my son definitely wants a sequel to this one. Make sure you check this out when it is released on VOD and physical media, and stick around through the end credits so you don't miss the mid credit scene!

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!

"Devil's Knight," Mahal Empire's latest, is a burning, twisting tapestry of the medieval world, smeared with blood and fire and love, tangled in the echoes of steel clashing and fate bending-alive, all at once, in a medieval crescendo that smashes through time. You watch it, and you feel it in your teeth, in your bones. The film moves like a furious jazz riff, one of those nights Kerouac himself would chase, alive with the roar of battle, the haunting silence of a hero's solitary stare.

Every character seems carved from some ancient, forgotten place. They don't walk so much as roam, driven by curses, oaths, and whispered legends, finding their paths through dark forests and kingdoms that feel so real you'd swear you could taste the cold iron in the air. Mahal's vision here isn't merely historical; it's mythological. Each scene unspools like a painter's masterstroke, a Van Gogh under midnight's ghostly light.

The cast? It's a kaleidoscope of grit, rawness, and aching humanity. These are characters cut from the bone, fierce and flawed, their stories swirling in the ancient dust of their world. You follow, entranced, as alliances shift, and swords slice through the very fabric of trust, betrayal, love, and loyalty. Mahal Empire has given us a film that grips tight and refuses to let go until you're breathless, teetering on the edge of some forgotten castle's cliffside, gasping for one more glimpse, one more taste of the adventure and danger.

Devil's Knight? Man, it's medieval jazz-a soulful, dark symphony, beautiful, brooding, wild. An experience as raw and ragged as a knight's rusted armor, and all you can do is feel it, man, feel every beat of that relentless, glorious heartbeat.

I can't believe how much i been missing these types of films. It has a great story, interesting characters, and a little surprise twist. I hope this studio continues to grow and provide great entertainment. The actors did a pretty great performance, and the special effects & monsters are done pretty well. It's been far too long since we actually seen real quality films. Its been a long time seeing such a great cast assemble to deliver such a high level of entertainment. This is what Hollywood movies have been missing out on paper overing their films thinking a large budget and CGI can fix a broken script and poor directing.