Consecration is a horror film that was released in 2023, directed by Christopher Smith and starring Jena Malone, Danny Huston and Janet Suzman. The film follows Grace, a young eye doctor who travels to a remote convent in Scotland after her brother, a priest, allegedly commits suicide. There, she uncovers a dark secret that involves murder, sacrilege and demonic possession.
If you are looking for a horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you question your faith, then Consecration is the perfect choice for you. This film is not your typical Catholic-themed horror flick that relies on cheap jump scares and cliched tropes. It is a smart, stylish and terrifying exploration of ancient mysticism, corruption and redemption.
Consecration has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its atmospheric cinematography, haunting music, brilliant performances and twisty plot. It is one of the best horror films of 2023 and a must-watch for fans of the genre. By the end of this post, you will have a deeper understanding of Consecration and why you should watch it as soon as possible.
Plot Summary
Consecration begins with a shocking scene where a nun pulls out a gun and shoots at the camera. We then hear a voiceover from Grace (Jena Malone), who tells us that her brother always believed she had a guardian angel, but she used to believe in nothing. Now she is not so sure.
Grace is an eye doctor who lives in London. She receives a phone call from DCI Harris (Thoren Ferguson), who informs her that her brother Vincent (Ian Pirie), a priest who worked at the Mount Saviour Convent in Scotland, has killed another priest and then himself. Grace refuses to believe that her brother was capable of such acts and decides to go to Scotland to investigate.
At the convent, she meets Father Romero (Danny Huston), who has come from the Vatican to re-consecrate the grounds after the deaths. He tells her that Vincent was possessed by a demon and that his actions were part of an exorcism ritual. He also warns her that the convent is not safe and that she should leave as soon as possible.
Grace does not trust Father Romero or his explanation. She also meets Mother Superior (Janet Suzman), who claims that Vincent was a saint and that his death was a sacrifice for God. She invites Grace to stay at the convent and learn more about her brother’s life.
As Grace stays at the convent, she begins to experience strange visions and flashbacks of her troubled childhood, where she was abused by her father and protected by Vincent. She also learns more about the history of the convent, which dates back to the 12th century when it was founded by the Knights of the Morning Star, a group of crusaders who sought penance for their sins.
Grace soon realizes that there is something sinister going on at the convent, involving murder, sacrilege and demonic possession. She also discovers a disturbing truth about her own past and her connection to the convent. She must face her demons and find out what really happened to her brother before it is too late.
Themes and Analysis
Consecration is a horror film that explores the themes of faith, guilt, redemption and corruption. It challenges the viewers to question their beliefs and their morality, as well as the role of the church in society.
One of the main themes of the film is faith. Grace is a character who has lost her faith in God and in herself. She is haunted by her past and by her brother’s death. She does not believe in anything supernatural or divine. She relies on science and logic to explain everything. However, as she stays at the convent, she begins to witness things that defy rational explanation. She starts to doubt her own sanity and reality. She also starts to wonder if there is a higher power that is watching over her or punishing her.
Another theme of the film is guilt. Grace feels guilty for not being close to her brother and for not being able to save him from his fate. She also feels guilty for surviving the abuse that she and Vincent endured as children. She blames herself for everything that went wrong in her life. She seeks forgiveness and closure, but she does not know how to find it.
A third theme of the film is redemption. Grace is a character who is looking for redemption, both for herself and for her brother. She wants to prove that Vincent was not a murderer or a sinner, but a victim of a dark force. She wants to honor his memory and his legacy. She also wants to redeem herself from her own sins and mistakes. She wants to find peace and happiness, but she does not know how to achieve it.
A fourth theme of the film is corruption. Consecration shows how the church can be corrupted by evil and greed. The convent is a place that is supposed to be holy and pure, but it is actually tainted by blood and darkness. The Knights of the Morning Star were supposed to be noble and righteous, but they were actually violent and sinful. The priests and nuns who work at the convent are supposed to be devout and faithful, but they are actually hypocritical and wicked. The film exposes the hypocrisy and the abuse of power that can occur within the church.
Characters and Performances
Consecration features a talented cast of actors who deliver excellent performances in their roles.
Jena Malone plays Grace, the protagonist of the film. Malone gives a nuanced and emotional performance as Grace, showing her vulnerability, determination, confusion and courage. She makes us care about Grace’s journey and root for her survival.
Danny Huston plays Father Romero, the Vatican priest who comes to re-consecrate the convent. Huston gives a charismatic and mysterious performance as Father Romero, showing his authority, intelligence, compassion and ulterior motives. He makes us wonder about Father Romero’s true intentions and agenda.
Janet Suzman plays Mother Superior, the leader of the nuns at the convent. Suzman gives a chilling and creepy performance as Mother Superior, showing her fanaticism, madness, cruelty and devotion. She makes us fear Mother Superior’s actions and influence.
Ian Pirie plays Vincent, Grace’s brother who died at the convent. Pirie gives a brief but impactful performance as Vincent, showing his kindness, faith, suffering and sacrifice. He makes us sympathize with Vincent’s plight and fate.
Production and Reception
Consecration was directed by Christopher Smith, who is known for his previous horror films such as Creep (2004), Severance (2006), Triangle (2009) and Black Death (2010). Smith co-wrote the script with Laurie Cook, who also produced the film along with Casey Herbert, Xavier Marchand and Jason Newmark.
The film was shot in Scotland, using locations such as Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Glen Coe. The cinematography by Sarah Cunningham captures the beauty and the horror of the Scottish landscape, creating a contrast between light and darkness, nature and civilization, heaven and hell.
The music by Nathan Halpern enhances the mood and the atmosphere of the film, using haunting melodies, eerie sounds and religious chants. The editing by Arthur Davis keeps the pace and the tension of the film high, using flashbacks, cross-cutting and jump cuts.
The film was released on February 10th 2023 by IFC Films in theaters and on streaming platforms. The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its direction, writing, acting, cinematography, music and plot.
The film has a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 59 reviews, with an average score of 5/10. The consensus reads: “Despite being blessed with Jena Malone in the lead, Consecration serves up Catholic-themed horror that’s far more hoary than hallowed.” The film has a 6/10 rating on IMDb based on 1,234 votes. The film has a 3/5 rating on Letterboxd based on 2.
Conclusion
Consecration is a horror film that will blow your mind with its plot, themes, characters, production and reception. It is a film that will make you think, feel and scream. It is a film that will challenge your faith, your guilt, your redemption and your corruption. It is a film that you should not miss.
If you are looking for a horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you question your faith, then Consecration is the perfect choice for you. You can watch it online on various streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and HBO Max. You can also rent or buy it on iTunes, Google Play, YouTube and Vudu.
Consecration izle (2023) filmini neden izlemelisiniz? Because it is one of the best horror films of 2023 and a must-watch for fans of the genre. Because it is a smart, stylish and terrifying exploration of ancient mysticism, corruption and redemption. Because it features excellent performances from Jena Malone, Danny Huston and Janet Suzman. Because it has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Because it will blow your mind.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it informative and helpful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who might be interested in watching Consecration. Also, feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what you think of the film. Thank you for reading and have a great day!