The Assent (2019) Review A New Perspective on Exorcism

Is It Good

A solid possession story with a twist of perspective. Rather than multiple supernatural occurrences and jump scares we witness Joel’s fears manifest. This film keeps the tropes of possession movies, but instead we witness how Joel is affected while he must stand by as his son is threatened by the entity. 

 

The Plot

The Assent is about Joel, a father, doing what he can after his wife’s tragic death. He has gotten his schizophrenia under control with medication and regular visits to his therapist. He has a job that pays enough to keep a babysitter on hand to take care of his son, Mason. When his son starts seeing hallucinations himself, Joel is there to help him cope.

The babysitter broadsides Joel by giving less than a day's notice she will not continue sitting Mason. After an intense shouting match between Joel and the babysitter, the voice that lashes from Mason stops the argument and brings into question whether the ‘imaginary friend’ is truly fake. 

A priest recently released from prison arrives at Joel’s door after hearing about Mason. He offers Joel an explanation and possible cure for Mason’s affliction. Joel’s whole beliefs are challenged as he tries to find out what is best for his son while the world around him and even his own hallucinations and illness bear down on him.

 

Father and Son’s Bond

Joel and Mason’s relationship is what drives the film. Mason’s energy and love for his dad is obvious and bright all through the opening. Joel perks up and smiles while he is around his son, he carries Mason on his shoulders along with joking around with him at dinner. 

Mason understands his father and looks to accept the odd artwork that Joel creates as an outlet all over the home. As Joel notices Mason getting similar symptoms, he teaches his son his own coping mechanism. Very positive imagery compared to other films using schizophrenia as a story element.

 

Is it Real or Hallucination?

While there are a few jump-scares, most of the actual imagery leans towards visual disturbances. The appearance of the entity itself is startling and a wonderful use of effects to really depict an amorphous entity in full view to make it imposing.

Along with the visual scares, the disconnect of Joel from his son is part of the building threat. Mason’s screams and the readings of the priest are rarely shown on screen, only heard. Joel never enters the room once his son’s condition worsens, only peeking through the keyhole to reveal a momentary glimpse.

The opening of the film tells of the three steps of possession. The Presence, where the entity makes itself known like a poltergeist. The Affliction, actively causing sickness or damage to the potential possessed. Finally, The Assent, which is the possessed actively accepting the entity. What this movie does well is making it hard to determine which one of these steps is on display at any one time as our lead Joel cannot trust some of the things his mind tells him. 

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