Our Evil is a haunting Brazilian psychological thriller from 2017, directed by Samuel Galli. The movie follows the story of Arthur (Ademir Esteves), a vigilante for hire who expiates people's crimes using violent means. However, Arthur is not your everyday hired gun. He has a traumatic past, which includes the loss of his daughter to sex trafficking.
The movie is an eerie portrayal of the underbelly of Brazil's metropolis, Sao Paulo, where the rich and powerful fuel the sex trade industry. Our Evil is an A-grade horror offering with cerebral layering, multi-dimensional characters, and a thought-provoking plot.
The opening sequence of the film sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The camera pans down a dark alley, where a prostitute is servicing a client. Suddenly, the camera tilts up to show a suited man overlooking the scene. The man is Arthur, and he has been hired to punish the client.
Arthur is not a man of few words; he is quiet and contemplative, but when he talks, his words hold weight. His face is unwrinkled, his hair is grey, and his eyes are piercing; Esteves delivers an excellent performance as the anti-hero. He is the quiet force that carries the story forward.
The plot of Our Evil centers around Arthur's search for a missing girl, Vanessa. Arthur's estranged wife (Luara Pepita) comes to him for help when their daughter goes missing. Arthur makes it his mission to find Vanessa and avenge her, but this search leads him to the dark corners of Sao Paulo's sex trade industry.
Vanessa's disappearance leads to the introduction of another character, Renata (Fernanda Cappellesso), who is searching for her missing sister. Enter Ricardo (Ricardo Casella), a wealthy business owner and a pedophile, who is also connected to the missing girls. Arthur is hired by Renata's group to get Ricardo to confess to his crimes.
Galli's direction is top-notch, as he creates a world that is both terrifying and spellbinding. The movie is shot in a gritty manner, with the camera following Arthur's every move. The use of light and darkness adds to the eerie atmosphere of the film.
Our Evil is not for the faint of heart. The movie's depictions of sex trafficking are disturbing, and the violence is brutal. The film does not shy away from showing the shocking reality of Brazil's sex trade industry.
The characters in Our Evil are complex and multi-dimensional. Arthur is not a cookie-cutter vigilante who dispenses justice for pay. He is a traumatized father who has lost his daughter and is tortured by his memories. Ricardo, too, is not the typical villain in a movie like this. He is wealthy and powerful, but he is also a broken individual who uses his power to hurt others.
Antony Mello delivers a stellar performance as Vini, Arthur's young protégé. Vini adds a layer of vulnerability to the movie, as he is the only character who seems genuinely innocent. His relationship with Arthur adds a human touch to the film, and his scenes with Esteves are some of the best in the movie.
The movie's ending is thought-provoking and impactful, leaving the audience with a lot to think about. The final scene of the movie is both haunting and beautiful, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.
In conclusion, Our Evil is a must-watch movie for horror and thriller enthusiasts. It is an intelligently-crafted psychological thriller that is both disturbing and thought-provoking. The movie's cinematography, direction, and performances by the cast make it one of the best Brazilian thrillers. However, the movie's shocking depictions of sex trafficking and violence make it unsuitable for some viewers.
Our Evil is a 2019 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.
