Ah, Devil’s Whisper, a supernatural horror film from 2017 that tries so hard to be scary, it trips over its own plot, falls on its face, and then slowly crawls towards you while whispering, “I’m so sorry.” Directed by Adam Ripp and loaded with more clichés than a self-help book, this film explores demonic possession, repressed memories, and childhood trauma—because what’s more terrifying than unresolved family issues, right? The movie checks every box for a horror film that’s both baffling and boring in equal measure. So let’s dive into the tangled mess that is Devil’s Whisper, where demons don’t just possess you—they haunt your ability to stay awake.
The Plot: Not Even the Devil Could Fix This One
We begin with 15-year-old Alejandro (played by Luca Oriel), who is, apparently, living the dream. He comes from a religious Latino family and aspires to be a Catholic priest. Sure, why not? At least he’s got some career goals that aren’t “become possessed by an ancient demon.” But here’s where the story really kicks into high gear—Alex stumbles upon a mysterious box. What’s inside? Oh, just a demonic spirit that’s been tormenting children since the dawn of time. I’m sure the box came with a helpful warning like “Do not open unless you want to face an ancient evil,” but, alas, Alex, being the sensible teenager he is, decides to ignore the obvious red flags and opens it anyway. Surprise, surprise—the demon gets out.
What happens next? Well, Alex spends the rest of the movie trying to figure out how to deal with the demon who’s bent on possessing him. But here’s the kicker: instead of doing what any normal person would do in this situation—call an exorcist, run to the nearest priest, or even take a mental health day—Alex spends most of his time wandering around his home like a lost puppy, hoping the demon will get bored and leave. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
Characters Who Make You Wonder if the Demon is Actually a Symbol for Something Else
Let’s talk about the characters. Oh, where to begin? Alejandro is supposed to be our sympathetic protagonist, but his emotional range is somewhere between “awkward teenager” and “I’m too tired to deal with this.” His religious background sets him up for some serious internal conflict (nothing like a bit of Catholic guilt to add some extra tension), but instead of wrestling with his faith or moral dilemmas, he spends most of the movie just looking confused. Like, seriously, at one point, the demon is literally trying to take over his body, and Alex is like, “Oh, I guess I should’ve stopped playing with that box… Oops.” Brilliant.
His mother, Lucia (played by Tessie Santiago), is just as uninspiring. She’s the “concerned mom” who doesn’t know what’s going on but is sure it’s probably just a phase—like that time you tried to get into indie music and regretted it two weeks later. Lucia’s inability to read the room is only overshadowed by her inability to understand that her son is literally battling a demon, not just a bad grade in biology. She’s so oblivious that at one point, I half expected her to suggest that Alex take a vacation to “clear his head,” because that’s definitely the solution to demon possession.
And then there’s Dr. Dian (Luna Maya), who—let me guess—becomes the expert on the demonic situation and yet contributes about as much to the plot as a post-it note saying, “This is fine.” She swoops in with some vague, poorly explained advice, and, much like every other character, seems just as clueless as the audience about how to proceed. I mean, if I were a psychiatrist and a kid told me he was being possessed by a demon, I’d probably suggest something more effective than just sitting down and having a casual chat. Maybe a little more action and a little less talking about feelings. But, hey, who am I to judge?
The Horror: Is This Supposed to Be Scary?
Let’s get to the horror elements, shall we? The film’s big selling point is the demon, but instead of being menacing, it comes off as a weird amalgamation of bad CGI and non-threatening whispers. There’s nothing quite like a demon that can’t even be bothered to show up in its full terrifying form. Instead of a horrifying force of nature, this demon feels more like a guy who forgot to set an alarm and shows up late to the horror party. The demon’s big moves include showing up in mirrors, whispering ominously in the dark, and slamming doors. Honestly, I’m more scared of a toddler having a tantrum in the next room. At least that kid has more energy and commitment to causing chaos.
But, hey, the film’s attempt to tie in trauma, family secrets, and childhood horrors with supernatural elements is admirable. It’s like a tragic, high-stakes therapy session where the therapist is a demon who doesn’t know when to stop. The problem is that the execution feels more like a rough draft than a polished film. Every time something “scary” happens, it’s undercut by the sense that the movie is trying to be deeper than it is. Oh no, the demon is talking about Alex’s childhood trauma—well, here’s a spoiler: no amount of demonic possession is going to fix the plot holes in this movie.
The Ending: Is That It?
Without getting too much into spoiler territory, let’s just say the film’s ending is… well, anticlimactic. The demon is defeated in such a way that you wonder if the filmmakers just ran out of ideas and decided to hit the “wrap” button. Instead of an explosive, heart-pounding showdown between good and evil, we get a resolution that’s about as satisfying as a soggy cracker. It’s as if the filmmakers ran out of supernatural ideas and thought, “Well, let’s just tie this up with a quick, neat little bow. Who cares about closure?”
Honestly, I’d rather have seen Alex battling the demon with some holy water, a cross, and maybe a light saber for dramatic effect. Instead, we get a sluggish, confusing ending that leaves you scratching your head. Did the demon go back to hell? Did the characters learn anything? Did anyone actually care about the demon in the first place? Your guess is as good as mine.
Conclusion: A Demon, A Mess, And a Whole Lot of Regret
In conclusion, Devil’s Whisper is a film that promises a lot of spooky, demonic goodness but delivers more of a “meh” experience. The demon is underwhelming, the characters are forgettable, and the plot feels more like a missed opportunity than a compelling story about overcoming supernatural evil. The film’s attempt to mix horror with family trauma is admirable in theory but utterly lost in execution. If you’re looking for a supernatural horror film that makes you think, “I should’ve just watched The Exorcist again,” then Devil’s Whisper is right up your alley. Otherwise, save your time and maybe just have a nice chat with your own childhood trauma—at least it’ll be more entertaining.
