The Devil's Business

The Devil's Business centers around the application of occult and devilish themes in our recurring world of crime and danger, meshing the criminal underworld with the supernatural underworld. This British horror-crime thriller was released in 2011 and directed by Sean Hogan. The film casts Billy Clarke as Pinner, a seasoned hitman, and Jack Gordon as Cully, a novice in this deadly line of work. Rounding out the cast is Jonathan Hansler, who gives a captivating performance as Kist, their target who becomes an escalating presence in the film as it progresses.

As the movie begins, we're introduced to Pinner and Cully, two professional hitmen who exist in the shadowy corners of society. Their task is simple yet grim: to assassinate an old associate who has wronged their unseen boss. While their target, Kist, is out for the evening, our two protagonists venture into his home, planning to complete their deadly assignment swiftly and without error. Billy Clarke as Pinner projects an air of hard-boiled pragmatism and experience, whereas Jack Gordon as Cully personifies a somewhat naïve, green recruit, bringing an air of vulnerability and youthful impetuosity.

The movie, however, takes a detour from the formulaic hitmen narrative, transforming from a gritty crime thriller into a unique realm that begins to seek answers in shadows, the arcane, and the supernatural. As our two protagonists await their unsuspecting target, they discover a world of dark art and occultism that Kist has immersed himself into. Far from being a standard mob figure, Kist emerges as an occult practitioner, and his house of horrors startles the hardened Pinner and the unseasoned Cully, introducing an element of dread that steadily escalates the tension.

The suspense grows and envelops the atmosphere as the characters - and viewers - dive deeper into the intertwined world of crime and occult, marked by a series of strange symbols, unusual artifacts, and unsettling atmospheric disturbances. The eerie ambiance of the movie is enhanced by the well-crafted aesthetics, the low-key yet dramatic lighting, and the stark and immersive sound design.

Jonathan Hansler’s portrayal of Kist is compelling as he doesn't conform to the typical antagonist trope. He is at once menacing and mysterious, keeping the audience on its toes throughout the storyline. The tension building is atmospheric, and the exploration of occult themes enables a slow-burn approach to horror, veering away from shock scares and instead focusing more on the undercurrent of dread.

Hogan’s direction seems to be chiefly influenced by the school of thought that prefers insinuations over explicit content, leaving much to the viewer's imagination. It aligns with his strategic deployment of terror throughout the narrative. The film uses the hit-men-waiting-for-their-victim setup to anchor the audience, then slowly unfolds into an entirely different and rather unique genre - making it a horror film with a twist.

The Devil's Business is interspersed with strategically placed dialogues that hint at the hidden life of Kist. Herein lays the beauty of the script. The discussions about the devil, the exploration of what evil truly personifies, and the vivid conversations about various past experiences invoke eclectic colors to the minimalist storyline. The result is a riveting mix of crime, suspense, existential musings, and supernatural horror that leaves the audience pondering.

In conclusion, The Devil’s Business offers a remarkably fresh twist to the standard crime and horror genres. It explores the dark recesses of the occult, infusing it with raw criminal realism, creating a tantalizing cocktail of suspense and horror. Yet it is not just the supernatural element that sends shivers down one's spine. It's how the film uses silence, darkness, and anticipation to create an atmosphere of dread, using the wait for an unseen danger as the perfect plot device. Whether or not one finds comfort in the familiar tropes of crime or horror genres, this movie offers an impactful viewing experience because of its unique blend of multiple genres and the mysterious storyline that keeps you engaged till the end.