Movie spotlight
The Crucifixion
CID officers Ho Tin-nam (Michael Chow) and Jacky Wong (Hilary Tsui) follow a stray dog to the crucified body of a truck driver in a remote area. Much of the suspicion centres on his fellow trucker Chan (Shing Fui-on), particularly when the victim's wife is killed as well. When not only Chan, but the nosy stray dog are added to the growing number of victims, attention is focused on an arrangement which the drivers had with a Chinese prostitute named Yin-fong. She had been their secret liaison in Shenzhen, and committed suicide when the men refused to let her stop providing her services to them. Yin-fong's twin sister Mei-ping (Miki Ng) also becomes a suspect, but yet another murder provides her with an alibi. Officers Ho Tin-nam and Jacky are faced with a plethora of red herring leads and an escalating body count before they can bring the real killer to justice.
Insights
Plot Summary
A driven investigative journalist is assigned to uncover the truth behind a controversial exorcism case in Romania. As he delves deeper into the dark secrets of the monastery and the alleged demonic possession, he finds himself increasingly drawn into a dangerous world of faith, doubt, and potentially sinister forces. The investigation becomes a personal battle as the journalist confronts his own skepticism and the potential for evil to manifest in unexpected ways.
Critical Reception
The Crucifixion received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its pacing slow and its horror elements uninspired. While some praised James Woods' performance, the film was largely criticized for its predictable plot and reliance on common horror tropes. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with many finding the film's religious themes and grim atmosphere to be its strongest points, though not enough to elevate it to a standout horror film.
What Reviewers Say
The film struggles with pacing and fails to deliver significant scares.
While the performances are adequate, the predictable plot undermines the horror elements.
Its exploration of faith and doubt provides some intrigue but is overshadowed by formulaic execution.
Google audience: Audience reviews are sparse and generally reflect disappointment, with common criticisms pointing to a slow build-up and a lack of originality in its horror sequences. Some viewers appreciated the attempt at a more psychological approach to possession films.
Fun Fact
Despite being set in Romania and dealing with religious themes, the film was primarily shot in and around Los Angeles, California.
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