The Vigil
The Vigil

Movie spotlight

The Vigil

2020
Movie
88 min
English

A man providing overnight watch to a deceased member of his former Orthodox Jewish community finds himself opposite a malevolent entity.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes84%
Metacritic68/100
Google Users80%
Director: Keith ThomasGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A haunted young man struggling with a recent loss agrees to take on a job as a Shabbos goy for an Orthodox Jewish couple. During his overnight stay, he's tormented by a malevolent spirit that preys on his deepest fears and traumas. As the night progresses, he must confront his past and fight for survival against the ancient entity.

Critical Reception

The Vigil was generally well-received by critics, who praised its unique blend of supernatural horror with Jewish folklore and its intense atmosphere. The film was commended for its effective scares, strong lead performance, and its ability to build suspense within a confined setting. While some found the plot predictable, the overall consensus highlighted its originality and chilling execution.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unique premise blending horror with Jewish folklore.

  • Applauded for its tense atmosphere and effective jump scares.

  • Dave Davis delivers a compelling performance as the tormented protagonist.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated 'The Vigil' for its fresh approach to horror, particularly its incorporation of Jewish mythology. Many viewers found the film to be genuinely scary and atmospheric, with particular praise for the lead actor's performance. Some found the pacing a bit slow in parts, but the overall sentiment was positive, highlighting its originality.

Fun Fact

The demon featured in the film, known as 'Hidiq' or 'The Past Present', is based on ancient Jewish folklore and is said to feed on the regrets and traumas of its victims.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I will admit to feeling just a little uneasy as I walked back to the car after watching this debut from Keith Thomas at 11pm. Dave Davis is "Yakov" who is a bit down on his luck, on some pretty heavy medication, and struggling to get back o...

SWITCH.

SWITCH.

'The Vigil' explores a dark part of history via some fascinating mythology that is underutilised in modern cinema. It's a shame that an interesting concept for supernatural thriller falls victim to the influence of lazy modern horror filmma...