The Devils Music has the Right Mix of Suspense and Horror
Written by The Horror Czar Don Sumner
March 4, 2008
Release: March 30, 2008
Written and Directed by: Pat Higgins
Starring:
James Fisher as Michael Stacey
Victoria Hopkins as Erika Spawn
Scott Thomas as Robin Harris
Jess-Luisa Flynn as Adele Black
Lucy Dunn as Stef Regan
Several years ago I found a decidedly non-horror film in the 99 cent bargain bin called Waiting for Guffman at a Mom and Pop drug store. For some unknown reason I succumbed to the impulse and purchased this DVD along with my Advil, Sucrets and extra large box of tissues tainted with aloe and trekked back home to convalesce a terrible cold. To make a long story short I absolutely LOVED the film – I mean really thought it was one of the more brilliant comedies I had seen in many years – and watched it several times throughout the sneezy and wheezy bed-ridden weekend.
It turns out that I was not the only one to see the hidden brilliance of filmmaker�Christopher Guest, who went on to create Best in Show and A Mighty Wind which both had wide theatrical release, and A Mighty Wind even had a song nominated for an Oscar.
The point of this story? Waiting for Guffman was done as a documentary, as were the subsequent films by Guest. It was this experience that showed me that if a documentary-style film is done well it can be extremely powerful. The Devils Music, the fourth feature-length production by Pat Higgens in the UK, is a documentary-style film and is done well.
The documentary film introduces Erika Spawn (Victoria Hopkins), a rock and roll singer with a decidedly trashy and sleazy edge. Her music is raw, offensive and becoming more popular by the minute. We meet several other characters including Erika’s manager Eddie Meachum (Cy Henty) and band bass player Adele Black (Jess-Luisa Flynn), and all are talking about the activities surrounding the addition of Erika’s new groupie pal Stef Regan (Lucy Dunn) to the fold.
Throughout the film, even when the background information is being laid out, there is an ominous feeling in the interviews. It is pretty clear that what we are about to see is not the rise to stardom of a future rock legend and a happily ever after ending. Tension builds, suspense deepens and Erika Spawn slowly goes insane… or does she?
The acting performances are generally very good in The Devils Music, and as often happens (especially in independent horror for some reason) the comic relief character steals the show. Jess-Luisa Flynn as bassist Adele Black is hilarious – brash, foul-mouthed and intriguing. I found myself looking forward to her scenes with eager anticipation.
The story is a good one – an interesting take on a theme that has “been done” many times. I hesitate to even say what that theme is as that revelation is the climax of the film, and I don’t want to ruin it for you should The Devils Music become available for movie-goers or on DVD.
For now this film by Pat Higgens is joining the festival circuit, and if you are in the neighborhood of a horror festival I recommend you look it up. Higgens’ skill as a film maker continues to evolve, and from the looks of it he’s not going away. As he hones his craft and learns how to better translate his creative vision to the silver screen there is no doubt that his will be a name on the lips of horror fans looking for something refreshingly off the beaten path. Questions or comments about The Devils Music? Contact us!
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