Devil's Due

Devil's Due is a 2014 American horror film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. This thrilling movie features elder Hollywood actors such as Sam Anderson and up-and-comers like Allison Miller and Zach Gilford in the lead roles. Descending into the eerie, Devil's Due adds a supernatural twist to the joyous event of a couple's pregnancy, escalating the narrative to spine-chilling heights.

As the film commences, we are introduced to newlyweds, Sam (Zach Gilford) and Samantha McCall (Allison Miller), a couple who are blissfully in love and excited about the future. They document their journey through life via a camcorder, capturing everything from their wedding to their honeymoon. Like any typical couple, they decide to escape for their honeymoon in the beautiful Santo Domingo. However, this is where the movie subtly maneuvers its way from the everyday mundane to the inexplicably bizarre. After a night of partying, Sam and Samantha can't recall the events of the evening and return home, only to discover that Samantha is pregnant.

While initially, the couple is overjoyed to welcome a tiny new member into their family, things begin to take a surprising and dark turn. Bouts of morning sickness, cravings, and mood swings are to be expected, but not the sort that Samantha experiences. Her symptoms intensify and evolve to become increasingly disturbing. She develops abnormal strength, aggression, and an unusual appetite – far from the normal early signs of pregnancy.

Zach Gilford's portray of Sam is vivid, as he illustrates the struggles a supportive husband might experience: dealing with the confusion about Samantha's deteriorating health, and the fear of the unknown, all while being committed to her safety. Allison Miller's portrayal of Samantha's transition from a bubbly, radiant bride to an unknowing participant in something supernatural makes the story incredibly believable.

Sam Anderson, who plays Father Thomas, adds another layer to the storyline. His mysterious character provides threads to link the disparate incidents happening to Samantha. As Samantha's condition deteriorates rapidly and inexplicably, clues begin to point to more sinister sources, drawing attention to greater forces at play. Supernatural elements weave together with religious iconography to give the film its eerily dark tone and the feeling that "Devil's Due" is a pregnancy that's not of this world.

The unnerving horror is heightened further by the found footage narrative style. The audience almost becomes a part of their life, watching the horrifying events unfold through their camera's lens. The technique of documenting supernatural events makes the viewers spectators of the disturbing occurrences, aiming to create a feeling of personal experience, as if the viewers were present at the scene. The realistic feel of the handheld recordings immensely helps in amplifying the horror aspect and the terrifying journey that the couple is undertaking.

Devil's Due manipulates ordinary elements of life and twists them into terrifying experiences that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Combining supernatural themes with the found-footage horror style, it'll make you question the reality that we live in and the hidden forces that may lurk beneath the surface.

Despite the scares and nightmares, the themes of love, devotion, and commitment side by side with the abhorrent keep viewers' interest piqued. What leaves a deeper impression on the viewers is not just the eerie storyline but the emotional turmoil faced by the couple as they wrestle against the unknown.

This is suspenseful horror at its best, blending elements of reality and the occult to create a terrifying narrative that hooks the audience from start to finish. It's more than just jump scares and creepy settings; it's the helpless feeling of the unknown that stirs unimaginable fear in the viewers' minds. If you enjoy classic horror with a modern, supernatural twist, then Devil's Due is a must-watch. Be prepared for a shocking story of love, darkness, and fear beyond understanding.