Nefarious. A title that speaks more to a devious plot rather than demonic entity that seeks to damn one soul. The movie comes with two purposes in mind: To the Christian audience, regardless of the tradition, it makes a few points known. However, to those who reject or who question, it reveals far more sinister plan, and it is easily identifiable today.
This movie is not in the vein of the God’s not Dead, nor is it fully in the avenue of The Exorcist, though it remains in the genre. It is cruelty of the Demons of The Exorcist with intelligence of Hannibal Lector by a factor 10*10^9 or greater. It is a warning of the things which are, was and is yet to be. Various moments within the dialogue are more towards the audience than the opposite in the scene, though Nefarious (the demon) does well to hide this intention in his dialogue. The constant movement of the dialogue suggests something deeper here that the spiritually blind miss, the negligent of their faith tepidly engage but those who are aware, may unintentionally laugh (not for what the demon says, but the absurdity of what the adversary of the demon will say or will do). It is without a doubt that is certainly unnerving and even the unbeliever will have to accept it, if he is truly open to doing so, if he contemplates it. The thing is, that the dialogue here presupposes that the ones who reject or doubt will continue to do so, and that is the nature of the hook for Nefarious. That very curiosity will draw you in, and what you see behind the veil is most unsettling.
For the Christian, however, it is sobering reality of the spiritual warfare that is constant. It is not a countercultural narrative propagated for the express purpose of being contrary. In fact, it is dark explanation that goes back into the scriptures. This movie does not seek to bring campy ideas to the forefront. This is the very nature of war, giving connectivity to the dark practices of today with the same under a different name in the past, and we, The Christian must see these things and do all that we can do to fight the good fight as Christ, and his Holy Twelve taught to us. It is a work of mercy that it unveils spiritual weakness, doubt and fear in confronting the evil in the world and the evil one through Christ, our savior. It is a humbling experience that reminds the Christian believer that we can do no such things without Christ, and that we should seek him in all things, drawing close to him in moments of weakness and giving thanks to him for all that we are, what we have and what we may become. However, it too, is a warning, for those who are lax, for those who are fraudulent in their faith, who reject what is intrinsically true, and the dire importance and consequences therein.
Should you see this movie? Yes. Watch it with the lights on. Pray that God gives you strength, for what you will see will change your spiritual life. This is not a movie meant to preach salvation. It is a movie that warns what is laid around every corner and that the stakes are high. Your Soul is the prize. This movie is a warning about what happens when it goes left, and the demon wins.