Written and directed by Chris Von Hoffmann, Devil’s Workshop is a horror drama released in 2022. This R-rated film stars Radha Mitchell, Timothy Granaderos, Sarah Coffey, and Emile Hirsch. As of this review, it’s available on Freevee.

Clayton (Timothy Granaderos) is a struggling actor on the verge of the biggest role in his life. After receiving a callback, he takes this opportunity seriously, seeking out a real demonologist to better understand the role. However, Eliza (Radha Mitchell) forces him to experience the spiritual… and the demonic.

What I Like About Devil’s Workshop

The chemistry between Eliza and Clayton remains the highlight of the film. Radha Mitchell’s Eliza evokes a mystique that makes it easy to believe Clayton’s desire to learn more. Timothy Granaderos’ Clayton captures the character’s insecurities while giving just enough for viewers to sense something deeper.

Devil’s Workshop seems to accomplish much with a limited budget. The special effects (though limited) work surprisingly well. While it wouldn’t be an issue if it indulged in camp, Devil’s Workshop seeks to elevate its horror without undermining the tone.

As the plot unfolds, there’s just enough reason to rewatch the film and catch some of the groundwork leading to that conclusion. I am surprised at how well the film holds up in this regard, keeping the viewers engaged despite a slower burn.

There’s something genuinely haunting about the ending, as Clayton’s backstory and the demon’s manipulation synergize to make a few disturbing scenes. The success of this synergy stems from the odd relationship that Eliza and Clayton develop within the film, becoming confidants to drastically different ends.

Tired Tropes and Triggers

Clayton stands at a particularly low point in his life, working through his unresolved family issues and feeling like a failure. This insecurity leads to Clayton’s troubles.

A sexual assault occurs between a female assaulter and male victim. Unlike many films that explore this subject matter, this assault isn’t a tool for a cheap laugh. However, beyond the cruelty of the act, it isn’t explored to any degree beyond the shock and horror of the act.

What I Dislike about Devil’s Workshop

Emile Hirsch’s Donald plays a rival to Clayton, but the performance lingers on camp. Making the character more jarring, he leads a subplot with little value to the story. While I understand that Donald acts as a foil and antagonist, he’s rarely pitted against Clayton. Instead, he takes away from the actual plot.

Another potential reason for this subplot is to allow Sarah Coffey’s Nikki to shine. As a friend to Donald, the character makes his subplot tolerable. However, it still provides no substance to the plot. It seems like a massive misstep to waste her talent as a side character on an irrelevant deviation.

If the above issues suggest a desire to expand the film’s runtime, exploring the occult themes in Devil’s Workshop would better serve the plot. Devil’s Workshop works best when following its demonic lore and rituals, so why not dive further into the diabolical? Clayton sought to study a demonologist for the role, and demonology remains a lightly explored topic.

The mix between campy and more serious performances doesn’t create a cohesive film. Perhaps these campier scenes bring levity, but the film doesn’t linger in its darker material long enough to require these intermissions.

Final Thoughts

Devil’s Workshop provides a disturbing horror within a tight runtime, requiring little to earn its investment. The low budget shows in places but rarely where it matters most, pulling off a traumatizing ending to earn its place. While it’s far from the most terrifying film, it’s an unnerving watch for those interested. The one issue I return to is this odd subplot following a pointless character.
(3 / 5)

“The Demon of Memes” is the second episode of supernatural drama Evil’s season 3, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti, and Andrea Martin. As of this review, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.

The assessors investigate another urban legend following the mystery of Wandering Jack. David (Mike Colter) receives a task from the friends of the Vatican. Lynn (Brooklyn Shuck) learns that a friend might be in danger from Wandering Jack. Andy (Patrick Brammell) gets an offer he can’t refuse.

What I Like about “The Demon of Memes”

David’s montage at the beginning of the episode truly evokes the monotony of his duties, requiring little telling to show us what’s making him disillusioned. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s an effective tool.

“The Demon of Memes” establishes a key conflict in David’s duties as the “friends of the Vatican” plan to use him to various ends. That directly leads to Brian d’Arcy James’ return as Victor LeConte. James brings an uncertainty of motives reminiscent of Michael Emerson’s Leland. While not villainous, LeConte provides a dangerous manipulation to each task, obscuring his motives. 

LeConte’s discussion of human evil evokes the heart of the series. Evil suggests some ambiguity in the supernatural element (less so as the series progresses), but it hardly makes the results different. Evil exists, regardless of demonic origin. I appreciate this added complexity, even if I prefer the tension and spectacle of the supernatural elements.

While I’m not always satisfied with how Evil handles Andy, the character works well in “The Demon of Memes.” As the audience learns of the true scheme, tension builds as Andy moves closer to success. Beyond this tension, Andy and Kristen (Katja Herbers) make genuine strides in their relationship.

Sheryl’s (Christine Lahti) new occupation remains a pleasant delight, equal parts cartoonishly evil and believable. Perhaps it’s the dark tone of the series, but it feels like an obvious extension of the antagonism Evil creates, requiring an absurd amount of work to make the world slightly more miserable.

While “The Demon of Memes” doesn’t evoke a haunting fear, it builds tension as a clear direction unfolds. In terms of direct horror, the episode focuses on a Slenderman-like urban legend. While it’s not particularly scary, seeing this legend through Lynn’s eyes earns more weight.

Tired Tropes & Triggers

Nothing particularly stands out as concerning or evocative. David’s (now Father Acosta) lack of fulfillment and desire for a more active role in fighting the supernatural might rub some the wrong way. But that’s largely the premise of the show.

The name “The Demon of Memes” remains inaccurate. Unlike “The Demon of Death,” this episode doesn’t provide an alternative to dissect. Another nitpick is that the “demon” in question isn’t of “memes” but of “urban legends.”

What I Dislike about “The Demon of Memes”

Aside from the lack of proper horror, I don’t particularly have an issue with “The Demon of Memes” I find worth mentioning. The names don’t yet match the demon of focus, but that’s a minor point that doesn’t directly address the writing, scenes, or acting, which remain strong.

If there’s one issue to pull, “The Demon of Memes” focuses more on what’s to come. In fact, the content suggests a season premiere more than “The Demon of Death.”

Another more relevant point is the underwhelming procedural plot. It’s not bad; however, the Wandering Jack pales in comparison to its inspirations (such as Slenderman).

Final Thoughts

“The Demon of Memes” sets a strong foundation for the future. While it doesn’t haunt the viewer as much as other episodes might, it builds a dire future development with the dark humor Evil thrives. In some aspects of the development, This episode feels more like the season premiere than the second episode.
(3.5 / 5)

Episode of Dexter, Original Sin felt very much like an episode of the original series. And I mean that in the best way possible.

The story

This episode picks up where the last one left off. Dexter is coming down from his post kill high, and looking for another victim. He finds one in Tony Ferrer, a violent loan shark who murdered an innocent woman over a loan taken out by her son.

While Dexter does his due diligence, Deb deals with high school girl problems. She wants to be the captain of her volleyball team. But as with most things in high school, this is a popularity contest. To get a leg up on her opponent, she tells the team that she can score cocaine for a movie night at her house. Dexter agrees to help her if she can get Nurse Mary’s earrings back from her friend Sophia. He makes homemade cocaine with a recipe I’ll not be listing here.

Don’t do this, kids. This is how teens (and people in their twenties) die.

The episode finishes with Dexter catching his prey, first menacing the loan shark with jai alai balls. These balls move so fast that Dexter manages to cut Ferrer’s cheek in a way that will be very familiar to long-time viewers.

What is not familiar is Dexter’s means of body disposal. While I was thrilled to see Ferrer fed to the alligators (they are big swamp puppies and deserve a good meal) they don’t always eat a whole body. And part of Ferrer remains, floating to the surface. So that’s two kills so far, and two obvious pieces of evidence left behind.

What worked

This episode shone because of the attention to detail. For instance, when Masuka makes Dex a fake ID, he could have put any name there. He could have put Joseph Smith or Jack Torrance. Instead, he picks the name Patrick Bateman. Of course, this is the main character of the astounding novel American Psycho. But they also chose a famous psycho who just happens to have the same first name as our actor. It’s just that extra level of thought that makes it so much richer.

I also love, but also hate, that Deb’s friend Sophia has a crush on Dexter. She seems like a good young woman, a loyal friend to Deb, and just a kid with her head on straight. And, well, we know what happens to women who get involved with Dexter. RIP, Rita. I hate to say it, but I don’t predict that Sophia will survive the series. And that anticipation makes every scene with her in it more tense.

We were also introduced to one of the original series characters that had been missing, Maria LaGuerta.

LaGuerta was a mixed bag for me in Dexter. She was certainly using her position of power to sexually harass Dexter and abuse Deb. She also seemed more concerned with climbing the political ladder than actually helping people.

I actually loved LaGuerta’s story arc through the series, because we saw her go from this selfish, politically motivated person to someone who legitimately puts herself in harm’s way to protect people. She goes from being Deb’s personal antagonist to her pseudo-mentor. So, I am thrilled with the way she’s being portrayed in Original Sin.

Yes, LaGuerta is more than willing to jump in front of a camera and run her mouth if it’ll help her get something she wants. But what she wants is for people to actually care about victims who don’t happen to be white. What she wants is to be in a position of power so she can start changing things for the better.

Which is fantastic! I can’t wait to see what she does.

Finally, I want to shine some well-deserved light on Patrick Gibson. He must have watched every episode of Dexter as many times as I have because he has Michael C. Hall’s physical mannerisms down pat. The way he moves is so similar, it’s uncanny. And that is a wonderful touch that I cannot help but admire.

What didn’t work

The only thing I didn’t enjoy about this episode was small. In the middle of the episode, Dexter is making dinner for his family. And it’s an almost shot-for-shot rendition of the original intro.

Now, this sort of thing was clever at first. But we’re three episodes in. We can knock it off now.

So far, Dexter Original Sin has been a lot of fun. This episode exemplified why Dexter is so well-loved. A bad person suffers the consequences of his terrible actions.

And I think that’s beautiful.