From the outset this film is just a laughable bunch of suspense/horror cliche's badly taped together. The story line (if you can call it that) could have been written by a 5 year old. Dionysius Akeem comes across as a really nice guy, but his acting is so plastic, it's like watching a robot perform. I have seen better in high school productions. Jessica David's character is more engaging and makes a believable job of somebody going nuts, in spite of the terrible story she is playing out.
If I bothered to think about the story a little more, I would ask myself how the main character could be the last person to visit somebody just before they commit suicide, but the police haven't come looking for him? Really?
Oh and finally, if you do watch this, you will either need to do it when your neighbours are out, use the subtitles, or wear headphones You will need to have the sound up so hight to hear the faint, mumbled dialogue, but the MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS WILL BE BREAKING YOUR WIDOWS!!!
32 Reviews
Don't even bother
mjazzguitar-800-1897022 August 2019
This is a very boring film. It doesn't really capture your interest. It revolves around some kind of haunted voodoo sculpture that originated in Iraq, and has the effect of making the main character possessed, who previously had mental problems to begin with. Her fiance's job is to help her through all this. Every single scene seems mundane and the story basically plods at the same pace from beginning to end.
Hey there's supposed to be a movie here behind this annoying sound effect????
wandernn1-81-68327424 May 2020
Liked the beginning with the Eph 6 Quote.... If the opening actually connects with the rest of the film it might get a Star!!! Oh and nope. Never saw the connect.
-1 Star For too much annoying as hell sound in the First 10 minutes.....
-1 Star they keep playing that annoying sound throughout the movie I suppose that sound is supposed to indicate that some effect is happening to people in the movie, but the sound isn't affecting people in the movie. The sound is only annoying the hell out of anyone viewing the movie. I'm failing to see the logic of this.
-1 Star For the Annoying Noise again as we move towards the end of the movie. And you just have to play this loud obnoxious noise again so the audience knows something horrible is happening? Again and Again and Again, it is so annoying
Oh wow there was a scene near the end where something happened and they didn't play the annoying sound. I almost didn't know what to do with myself.....
Oh NO I spoke too soon! There it went again!!!
That was pretty bad. That's one I really cared nothing about and obviously was more annoyed with it than anything else.
I see basically one guys name in the end credits for making the movie, Mark Cross. Well Mark your movie was bad.
-1 Star For too much annoying as hell sound in the First 10 minutes.....
-1 Star they keep playing that annoying sound throughout the movie I suppose that sound is supposed to indicate that some effect is happening to people in the movie, but the sound isn't affecting people in the movie. The sound is only annoying the hell out of anyone viewing the movie. I'm failing to see the logic of this.
-1 Star For the Annoying Noise again as we move towards the end of the movie. And you just have to play this loud obnoxious noise again so the audience knows something horrible is happening? Again and Again and Again, it is so annoying
Oh wow there was a scene near the end where something happened and they didn't play the annoying sound. I almost didn't know what to do with myself.....
Oh NO I spoke too soon! There it went again!!!
That was pretty bad. That's one I really cared nothing about and obviously was more annoyed with it than anything else.
I see basically one guys name in the end credits for making the movie, Mark Cross. Well Mark your movie was bad.
nauseating sound effect
GrayedMan4 October 2019
The girl has problems
MayhemFilmKreations17 October 2019
Boredom personified
omendata29 January 2020
God I couldn't wait for this aural and visual torture to end.
Although the film conjures up atmosphere it has to be said using some decent sound effects, unfortunately there is very little story or development of the "horror" element and the overwhelming loudness of the sound mixing obscures the dialogue which means you have to turn the volume up and the crazy screeching sound they use as an ominous sound effect just becomes wearing, tedious and annoying!
Couple that to virtually nil storyline; nothing really happens - a bit of a case of all mooth and nae action and bad acting from virtually every cast member this is a cinematic landmine to avoid if you dont want to be bored out of your skull!
Although the film conjures up atmosphere it has to be said using some decent sound effects, unfortunately there is very little story or development of the "horror" element and the overwhelming loudness of the sound mixing obscures the dialogue which means you have to turn the volume up and the crazy screeching sound they use as an ominous sound effect just becomes wearing, tedious and annoying!
Couple that to virtually nil storyline; nothing really happens - a bit of a case of all mooth and nae action and bad acting from virtually every cast member this is a cinematic landmine to avoid if you dont want to be bored out of your skull!
Really Poor !
seasidesaffa29 October 2019
This movie has nor original thought, the plot line has used been used countless times and had so may holes in it. The acting was wooden with long pauses in the dialogue, and the "mood" noise used was similar to a smoke alarm going off - just irritating, like the rest of the production.
Old school horror
vigilant5619 October 2019
Demonic and Good
mentalrev3 September 2019
Intriguing film about a demonic possession, I thought the script was excellent and well conveyed through strong performances and solid visuals. Freya Saxon stands out as the troubled Jessi Anderson and I also really enjoyed the performance by Dionysius Akeem as Jessi's husband Kevin. The couple go through hell after they discover an ancient and potentially possessed artifact, or is it just Jessi's PTSD and mental illness that is causing the friction? There's nothing dull about this film that keeps the audience engaged throughout.
There were some issues with the sound mix in that the music is jarring at times and the dialogue is a bit quiet, but perhaps that was an artistic choice to really punch the transitions and deliver some shock. If that's the case then mission accomplished, but it could have been handled a bit more deftly.
This is a film that will keep the audience in suspense until the end, never letting its foot off the gas and delivers a stunning climax and finale.
There were some issues with the sound mix in that the music is jarring at times and the dialogue is a bit quiet, but perhaps that was an artistic choice to really punch the transitions and deliver some shock. If that's the case then mission accomplished, but it could have been handled a bit more deftly.
This is a film that will keep the audience in suspense until the end, never letting its foot off the gas and delivers a stunning climax and finale.
Throwback horror
mattsivertson8 October 2019
The Edict reminds me of a lot of the 80s horror movies I watched growing up. The scares come not from special effects or cheap tricks but from creating an environment that makes the viewer uncomfortable throughout, and reinforces it with well timed payoffs. What the film lacks in budget it makes up for in originality and ambition. Recommended for horror fans.
Genre fans will enjoy it
Phil_Chester25 October 2019
Worth watching
kisiel-13 September 2019
A Chilling thriller with a great twist
antoinepana27 November 2019
I thought this amazing thriller was perfectly paced in order to generate the right intensity and suspense! The very dark look, overal ambiance and cinematography serve the story! The music reminded me of Scanners' soundtrack from Howard Shore and the movie itself made me think of Jacob's Ladder. The plot takes its time to unfold which makes it even more engaging. And the twist! The main actress is brilliant! You really feel for her. You feel her fear of what's happening to her. Great job!
70s esque horror
andrewtschroeder30 April 2020
This is a supernatural thriller with shades of Nixon-era horror films. Moody atmosphere and good acting create a general feeling of unease that kept me interested in what would happen next. The "is it real or is she crazy?" aspect is always fun for me in movies like this!
Indie horror with good story
caseykilloran4 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I like the question this indie film gives the audience. Where did this evil artifact come from? Is it the ancient artifact that is making all these things happen or is it from the character of Jessi? The cycle of events that is hinted too reminded me of some classical horror films that I really like. There seems to be a possession element to the film too that is carried by the lead actress. I appreciate this indie horror for the story and how they didn't hold anything back.
Scary and GOOD!
bohemianpirate-871-38348719 November 2019
The Edict is an excellent throwback to horror films I grew up with. I was incredibly impressed with this new film and glad I found it. Mark Cross directs a solid cast in this creepy indie thriller where Freya Saxon absolutely nails a performance so convincing you will find yourself wondering if this is some paranormal activity or her own psychological deconstruction. Fantastic job by all! Bravo!
Indie psychological thriller
Ink78913 November 2019
Fun 70's indie horror
cbax1235 December 2019
This film channels a lot of the 70's horror style and keeps things at a good pace, not lagging at all throughout. If you like indies about demons, people being possessed and deep psychological dives you should check this one out!
Indie horror done well!
alanakmd18 October 2019
dark horror thriller
jblockbuster2 October 2019
A women who suffers depression and talks with a dark entity - real, or imagined? The Edict is a dark horror thriller taking references at old horror classics, it's disturbing and twisted. Freya Saxon as lead does an excellent job of carrying the story forward. If you enjoy indie horror, check it out!
A haunting slow burner
rjk200026 November 2019
I really enjoy a good slow burn horror film. This has a solid 70's vibe to it. The film starts off like Roman Polanski's Repulsion. But then when the cause of the evil is revealed (no spoilers), the imagery reminded me of Pazuzu from the Exorcist). It's a slow film, but I found it haunting and sinister and very effective.
Disturbing and Unsettling
kjs114424 September 2019
The Edict is an excellent Horror/Thriller about a woman who is wrestling with her own sanity. She has unsettling hallucinations and dreams, but cannot understand the reason. The film reminded me of The Exorcist in some ways. The directing and cinematography are great. The locations are visually stimulating. And the acting is spectacular. Check it out!
An artistic twist on classic horror
williamgway19 April 2020
A surprise like on this one. After reading the reviews it became evident the world was split on this one. And it is easy to see why. The director definitely makes some defined artistic choices. I liked it. The acting is good, with a very nice performance by Freya Saxon. The film has a classical style to it that is a bit of a throwback to the 80's. And I think it works. Worth a watch..
Classical Yet Contemporary
TheAll-SeeingI2 August 2019
Director and screenwriter Mark Cross helms "The Edict," a darkly beautiful film tonally evocative of the very best of the 1970's horror and suspense hybrids.
A married couple comes into ownership of a house upon an uncle committing suicide. After contacting with a statue within the house, depressive wife Jessi - played with a wonderfully deft hand by Freya Saxon - perceives she's being communicated with by an undeclared entity. Accordingly, her psyche begins a slow descent into the maelstrom in which we're soon left to question if we're witnessing true mental regression, or if something far more insidious is at play.
"The Edict" masterfully resuscitates many of the wonderful cornerstone attributes of horror classics such as "The Omen" and "The Exorcist," as dark, muted colors, flat-toned dialogue capture, and beautifully eerie, minor-key soundscapes prevail throughout this deeply engrossing film. It is also a timely piece in our day and age of heightened self-care, borrowing triumphantly from the very pantheon of horror filmmaking in its fresh and modern telling of the classic mental downfall.
A married couple comes into ownership of a house upon an uncle committing suicide. After contacting with a statue within the house, depressive wife Jessi - played with a wonderfully deft hand by Freya Saxon - perceives she's being communicated with by an undeclared entity. Accordingly, her psyche begins a slow descent into the maelstrom in which we're soon left to question if we're witnessing true mental regression, or if something far more insidious is at play.
"The Edict" masterfully resuscitates many of the wonderful cornerstone attributes of horror classics such as "The Omen" and "The Exorcist," as dark, muted colors, flat-toned dialogue capture, and beautifully eerie, minor-key soundscapes prevail throughout this deeply engrossing film. It is also a timely piece in our day and age of heightened self-care, borrowing triumphantly from the very pantheon of horror filmmaking in its fresh and modern telling of the classic mental downfall.
Solid indie horror film
craigahrens2 August 2019
I enjoyed this indie horror film a lot. I appreciated that they relied upon a good story and good acting and didn't turn to gimmicky special effects. The director, Mark Cross, does a good job in keeping the film moving along. I didn't find flat spots that can some times happen with indie films. Very strong acting lead by the lead actress Freya Saxon. She was very convincing in her role. This film for sure gets a thumbs up from me!
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