Reviews

Witch & Popcorn

 

Review of Behind You

 

Bright Blessings, film lovers!

I am reviewing yet another horror film! My favorite genre!

This one was not as fun as some others I have reviewed, but it’s still a good film to discuss magical topics.

It’s called Behind You, and here is a trailer to watch!

The 2020 film follows sisters Olivia and Claire, whose mom has just died. They are brought to stay with their Aunt Beth, who they don’t know, while people try to reach their father. Right off the bat, their Aunt informs them they are not welcome, and it turns out she has good reason for this. While Aunt Beth’s friend Charles tries his best to make the sisters feel better, an ugly force rears its head, and before long, everybody is fighting for their lives…and not everybody makes it!

What could be called just another demon flick is actually one that has some magical truth to it.

I guess I am supposed to go on and on about the love of family, and the unbreakable bond of sisters, never giving up on one another-blah blah blah- but truthfully, that’s what’s screaming in your face at the surface. Beneath the surface is an ugly truth those who communicate with spirits know all too well.

DON’T MESS WITH FORCES YOU CAN’T CONTROL!!!!!!

In all fairness, Claire is the one who unleashes said demon, and she’s just a little girl. The demon lies, and tells her it’s her mother and she has to release mommy. As she is releasing the demon, she is terrified, sensing something is wrong, but what child would not want their mom back, and push themselves past any fear to accomplish that?

That’s not what I am talking about.

I’m talking about how Charles and Aunt Beth are hellbent- no pun intended- on taking care of the demon themselves. Aunt Beth has studied demons for years, and at one point, Charles gives her a book on necromancy she is salivating over, but neither Aunt Beth nor Charles have any training, let alone any skills to deal with such forces.

A book, a collection of books, or a belief will not equip you to take care of a timeless force that has limitless life and strength. What Aunt Beth and Charles end up doing is slapping a band-aid on the problem, and it never goes away. It just keeps coming back every chance it gets- and it ALWAYS finds a way.

At one point, Olivia is in tears, begging Aunt Beth and Charles “There has to be another way!” But they did not reach out for help, or try.

In the movies, quite often people don’t seek help dealing with spirits because nobody believes them, but in reality- we know it might take time, but we can find somebody who believes. Not just anybody is going to be equipped to take on a demon, but plenty of people can.

If you ever find yourself dealing with malevolent forces, do not, under any circumstances, do what Aunt Beth and Charles did in this film- and try to handle it on your own. Reach out to the Catholic church for an exorcism if you have to, but don’t read books and try to tackle it yourself.

Yes, I have witnessed an exorcism. It was nothing like what they show in the movies, but it worked, and afterwards, the exorcist suffered some harm. He made it out of it okay- because he knew what he was doing. He trained and took oaths to be able to do such work, and he did it well. Catholic exorcists have to train with exorcists, and they have strict policies and procedures to deal with such things.

My Priest told me many times to always keep my aura closed, always cast circle, always banish, and do so regularly. There are precautions to take, and structures for learning.

Beyond this, the film illustrated how a malevolent force targeted the youngest, and most defenseless, and also lied. It disguised itself as a harmless child, and as a child’s mother. It was neither. Make sure you know what you are communicating with when communicating with a spirit. This is why some magical traditions train you to learn to banish FIRST and summon later.

I must say the use of candlelight, darkness, and shadows was exemplary in this, as well as use of the color red to instill fear. The understanding of visuals and suspense were outstanding, and were the very best part of this film. I was salivating over the gorgeous house they chose to make the film in, and the house itself, with its shadows, and big rooms as a harbor for a malevolent spirit was very believable.

I will add that I appreciate the fact the film has no ‘jump out and scare you- scenes. I detest when a film uses that generic convention, and I want a creative, unique film with no cliche shortcuts.

This was not my favorite horror, but it had a lot of good things in it, and is definitely worth watching. I like how a film with a fanciful story about something can leave truths while being fictional and entertaining.

Make sure to watch this new horror!

Happy viewing and Blessed Be!

***

About the Author:

Saoirse is a practicing witch, and initiated Wiccan of an Eclectic Tradition.

A recovered Catholic, she was raised to believe in heaven and hell, that there is only one god, and only one way to believe. As she approached her late 20’s, little things started to show her this was all wrong. She was most inspired by the saying “God is too big to fit into one religion” and after a heated exchange with the then associate pastor of the last Xtian church she attended, she finally realized she was in no way Xtian, and decided to move on to see where she could find her spiritual home.

Her homecoming to her Path was after many years of being called to The Old Ways and the Goddess, and happened in Phoenix, Arizona. She really did rise from her own ashes!

Upon returning to Ohio, she thought Chaos Magic was the answer, and soon discovered it was actually Wicca. She was blessed with a marvelous mentor, Lord Shadow, and started a Magical Discussion Group at local Metaphysical Shop Fly By Night. The group was later dubbed A Gathering of Paths. For a few years, this group met, discussed, did rituals, fellowship, and volunteering together, and even marched as a Pagan group with members of other groups at the local gay Pride Parade for eight years.

All the while, she continued studying with her mentor, and is still studying for Third Degree, making it to Second Degree thus far.

She is a gifted tarot reader, spellworker, teacher, and was even a resident Witch at a Westerville place dubbed The Parlor for a time.

Aside from her magical practice, she is a crocheter, beader, painter, and a good cook. She has been a clown and children’s entertainer, a Nursing Home Activities Professional, a Cavern Tour Guide, a Retail Cashier, and a reader in local shops. Her college degree is a BA in English Writing. She tried her hand at both singing and playing bagpipes, and…well…let’s just say her gifts lie elsewhere! She loves gardening, reading, antiques, time with friends and soul kin, and lots and lots of glorious color bedecking her small home!

On the encouragement of a loved one several years back, she searched for a publication to write for, and is right at home at PaganPagesOrg.

She is currently residing in Central Ohio with her husband, and furbabies.

Saoirse can be contacted at [email protected].