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Cast: Ryan Guzman, Kyle Gallner, Alix Angelis
Director: Damien LeVeck
Max and Drew run a popular webcast that streams “live exorcisms” watched by millions across the globe. In reality, the exorcisms are just elaborately staged hoaxes performed by paid actors. But their fortunes take a turn when one of the actors becomes possessed by an actual demon and takes the crew hostage. In front of a rapidly growing audience, the demon subjects the crew to a series of violent challenges, threatening to expose the dark secrets they’ve been hiding from each other unless they come clean and reveal they’re impostors before the show is over.
Millennial entrepreneurs, Drew and Max, run a webcast that streams live exorcisms that are, in fact, elaborately staged hoaxes. But they get their comeuppance when today's actress becomes mysteriously possessed by a real demon that holds the crew hostage. To make matters worse-- the possessed victim is Drew's fiancée, Lane. In front of a rapidly-growing global audience, the demon subjects Max to a series of violent and humiliating challenges meant to punish him for his online charade. Meanwhile, in an effort to save the love of his life, Drew discovers that the demon's sinister motive is not only about revenge, but also to expose the dark secrets he, Max, and Lane have been hiding from one another. With only the show clock remaining, it's a matter of time before either the truth is revealed or the demon forces them to meet their maker.
'The Cleansing Hour' is a fun and original film. It has a straightforward approach and it doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is but it also has a number of twists which will keep you glued to the screen.
The film doesn't waste any time getting going. As it opens, we see Max and Drew doing one of their live streams. The production is great and the fool a lot of people but they seem to have peaked as far as viewership goes. Drew wants to expand into other areas but Max seems to be focused solely on himself. But their viewership soon rises when during a live street Drew's soon to be wife fills in and some how becomes possessed. Now they are held hostage until they confess their sins and tell their secrets.
Bloody and action packed the film has great make-up and cgi effects. 'The Cleansing Hour' manages to entertain more than most "Hollywood" horror films. It delivers on every level and it leaves you with one warning...one way or another you are going to pay for your sins. The film will be available on DVD, Digital and VOD January 19th so if you are a fan of horror check this out.
Released by Shudder/RLJE Films
*** 3/4 Out Of *****