The Last Exorcism Part 2

Directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly. Starring Ashley Bell, Julia Garner, Spencer Treat Clarke. 88 mins

It was all there in the title. It was The Last Exorcism. The Last.
They lied.
Despite an alienating ending, the Eli Roth-produced and Daniel Stamm-helmed 2010 horror film at least attempted an original take on a tired genre. With a nice faux-documentary conceit and featuring the eerie bodily contortions of the impressive Ashley Bell, there was a disquieting subtlety to the creepy proceedings.
Bell may be back, but with the unique premise, emphasis on natural effects, lenient rating and the original director all gone, what’s left is a horribly formulaic and incredibly dull sequel that no-one wanted.
In a foster home after having a demon baby and killing her entire family, young Nell (Bell) is no longer experiencing the joint-bending, bone-breaking possessions that became the trademark of demon Abalam. Instead she’s spending an inordinate amount of time vacuuming motels, while at night footage of her tenderly caressing her own cheek supposedly indicates a demon seduction – but merely feels like average teenage daydreaming, minus a pillow with Robert Pattinson’s face on it.
Though the film’s ‘16’ rating disallows any serious gore, sexual content or anything more than one measly “Fuck!”, it’s director Gass-Donnelly’s lack of basic understanding about pacing, tension or clear mythology that leaves the film a lifeless and dull slog. The lacklustre employment of standard tropes such as the levitating sleeping girl and the time-honoured Magical, Headscarf-Wearing Black Wise Woman highlights his ineffectual directing. In fact, the only basic scares come through Nell’s flashbacks – ie. when Gass-Donnelly relies on footage from Stamm’s superior film.
No more. Please, no more.