Devil’s Workshop
Derrick Dunn

Derrick Dunn

No chills or thrills in the mundane Devil’s Workshop

Director Chris von Hoffman delves into the horror genre for his sophomore feature, Devil’s Workshop from Lionsgate. Struggling actor Clayton (Timothy Granaderos) is desperate for a role as a demonologist. He contacts Eliza (Radha Mitchell), an expert in devil lore, to help him prepare and spends the weekend at her home. Eliza forces Clayton to confront his troubling past, perform dark rituals, and sacrifice a goat. Does she want to help Clayton, seduce him, or destroy him?

Ever since The Exorcist broke box office records in 1973, Hollywood has tried to duplicate its success with films involving the devil. Horror fans will attest that sometimes the results are promising and sometimes flat-out atrocious. A decade later, I still remember the collective boos that the audience bestowed upon The Devil Inside at my preview screening

To no surprise, Devil’s Workshop falls into the same category. Despite the familiarity in the plot, Chris von Hoffman showed some promise in his debut feature, 2018’s Monster Party. Seeing him fall into the sophomore slump with Devil’s Workshop was sad. For starters, Timothy Granaderos wasn’t credible as our male lead. Granaderos is Primarily known for his work on the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why as Monty De La Cruz. 

On that show, he portrayed a closeted bully, so perhaps that is why I couldn’t take him seriously as a protagonist. Emile Hirsch favors better as a toxic acting rival to Clayton, and I would have much rather seen the film focus on him. At the same time, Radha Mitchell is wasted in the film and must have some bills to pay because she looks bored in the movie. I also wasn’t fond of the special effects or the film’s so-called twist. 

Devil’s Workshop tries to capture the genre’s essence without succeeding as a demonic horror film. The plot, as well as the performers, are not credible at any point in time over the short run time. The film is a collection of weak, isolated moments of horror that will most likely impress the most clueless audience members, but it won’t impress anyone else. As the film continues, a lack of suspenseful pace leads to Devil’s Workshop becoming a cloud of tired cliches.

Final Grade: F

Devil’s Workshop hits Select Theaters, On Digital, and On Demand Friday, September 30th

Movie Clappers

More to explorer

Adam Driver- 65

Adam Driver can’t save 65 from extinction

Collaborators Scott Beck and Bryan Woods deliver their latest film in 65 from Sony Pictures Releasing. The duo writes and directs the film, which Adam Driver toplines. After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills (Adam Driver) quickly discovers he’s stuck on Earth… 65 million years ago.

Champions

Clichés don’t hinder Champions from being a crowd pleasing winner

Woody Harrelson returns to the world of basketball for director Bobby Farrelly in Champions from Focus Features. Mark Rizzo pens the film’s screenplay, a remake of the 2018 Spanish film of the same name. Marcus (Harrelson) is a washed-up basketball player turned assistant coach passing the time with a D-League in Des Monies.

Jesus Revolution

Jesus Revolution is an affectionate true story

Director Jon Erwin delivers his latest faith-based film in Jesus Revolution from Lionsgate. Brent McCorkle codirects the movie, while the script is a collaboration between Jon Gunn & Erwin. Jesus Revolution is the true story of a divided time when people came together by checking their preconceptions at the door and formed a movement by listening to each other and looking beyond their beliefs.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest