It’s vaguely worrying when a scene in which a pregnant woman cuts open her own belly can be about as horrific to watch as an episode of Antiques Roadshow. Now does this mean I’ve become desensitized to gruesome imagery after years of horror films or is the film in question to blame? The former is, admittedly, a distinct possibility…however, Devil’s Due is such a formulaic, weak offering from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, that I can confidently say that even the most sensitive viewers would barely raise an eyebrow.
Devil’s Due is a found footage film (yes, another one) centred around irritating newlyweds Sam (Allison Miller) and Zach (Zach Gilford). On their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, they meet a local taxi driver who promises to take them on an authentic Dominican night out. He brings them to an underground music club on the outskirts of town where the couple drink and dance before waking up the next morning in their hotel with nasty hangovers and no idea how they got back there. On their return home, Sam discovers she is unexpectedly pregnant. Though initially delighted, Zach is soon worried when Sam’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic.
From the opening shot of Devil’s Due, I had an overwhelming feeling of déjà vu – specifically because I saw an almost identical film at last year’s Horrorthon festival called Delivery, but also from a general point of view. Devil’s Due combines the two most overplayed sub-genres in horror today; found footage and satanic possession. It may not be impossible to innovate within these structures but Bettinelli-Olpin, Gillett and writer Lindsay Devlin don’t even try. The film hits every beat you expect it to – sinister sleepwalking, a family pet who suddenly takes a dislike to its owner, and the obligatory nonsense of a man who won’t put down a camera.
By the time it gets to the bloody denouement (which, as a 15 certificate, isn’t even particularly bloody), it was all too clear that nobody involved here had anything new to say. When even the much maligned Paranormal Activity franchise is stepping into new territories with spin-off The Marked Ones, Devil’s Due feels horribly dated.