Is everything that it seems? For one former journalist, the answer is far from certain in “The Unholy.” The film explores religious themes surrounding a young girl who suddenly finds herself cured. Reasons behind the transformation leave some to question the motives and means behind her startling change. As with any good horror story, it’s up to one disbeliever to reveal what might be lingering under the surface. Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan takes on the lead role; his recent work on “The Walking Dead” shows he’s more than willing to push boundaries in any performance.
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Evan Spiliotopoulos wrote the screenplay, which is based on a James Herbert novel. This is far from the screenwriter’s first major project; he is credited on films such as 2014’s “Hercules” and “The Huntsman: Winter’s War.” Spiliotopoulos is also doing extra duty as “The Unholy” marks his directorial debut. Rob Tappert and Sam Raimi back up the film’s horror pedigree. This duo is responsible for bringing the “Evil Dead” franchise to life. As a director, Raimi has also led projects ranging from “Drag Me to Hell” to “Darkman.”
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Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
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“The Unholy” follows Alice, a young hearing-impaired girl who, after a supposed visitation from the Virgin Mary, is inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick. As word spreads and people from near and far flock to witness her miracles, a disgraced journalist (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) hoping to revive his career visits the small New England town to investigate. When terrifying events begin to happen all around, he starts to question if these phenomena are the works of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister. “The Unholy” is produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and Evan Spiliotopoulos, written for the screen and directed by Evan Spiliotopoulos, and is based upon James Herbert’s best-selling book “Shrine.”
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Katie Aselton, William Sadler, Cricket Brown, Diogo Morgado, and Cary Elwes also star in “The Unholy.” The film hits theaters April 2. Get your first look at the trailer below.