The Devil's Business (2011)
Directed by: Sean Hogan
Written by: Sean Hogan
Starring: Billy Clarke, Harry Miller, Jack Gordon, Jonathan Hansler
The Devil’s Business (2011)
(18) Running time: 68 minutes
Director: Sean Hogan
Writer: Sean Hogan
Starring: Billy Clarke, Jack Gordon, Jonathan Hansler
Reviewed by: Matt Wavish, official HCF critic
Writer and director Sean Hogan has crafted a tense, claustrophobic thriller here with some nasty horror elements added in for good measure. The Devil’s Business, surprisingly for its running time, is a real slow burner and those with a patient understanding of good characterisation, story development and atmosphere will find much to enjoy here. Fans of Ben Wheatley’s superb Kill List might also see some similarities here, and while The Devil’s Business is clearly shot on a very low budget, it comes highly recommended by me.
The film primarily focuses on two hitmen: the old and wise Mr Pinner (Billy Clarke) and the young, cocky new recruit Cully (Jack Gordon). The pair have been tasked with killing a rich man by the name of Mr Kist (Jonathan Hansler), and while the target is at the opera, the who killers for hire break into his rather large home and wait for his return. There is no build up, and we join the story as the hitmen enter Mr Kist’s house, and from there it is up to the script to do the explaining, and it does. Plenty is revealed of the two hitmen as they share stories to pass the time. It is clear Mr Pinner has become un-phased by murder, and it is simply a job, and a job he does well. On the other hand, this is Cully’s first job, and while he puts on a brave front, it is clear the cocky lad may not be up to the task.
We briefly meet Bruno (Harry Miller) the crime boss who has ordered the hit, and Miller plays the role well, but never reveals exactly why he wants Mr Kist dead, and the mystery is only heightened when we learn they used to work together. The dialogue really drives this film, and director Sean Hogan’s no thrills approach to shooting his scenes help create a believable and menacing atmosphere. The use of darkly lit rooms and a steady, often drifting camera creeping around the characters build tension, and while this slow brooding way of filmmaking may not please everyone, those who enjoy this style will be rewarded as the film builds to its nightmarish climax.
We do learn, eventually, about Mr Kist, but to reveal anything here would be a major spoiler and will ruin the film. What I will say is that things turn dark, nasty and a little unexpected come the final moments and it is here that the film earns its right to be classed as a horror. Like Wheatley’s Kill List, the final moments will leave you scratching your head, but is all the more better for it. The imagery in these later moments are likely to stay with you for days after, and Hogan shows he is truly one of Britain’s big hopes for horror. With a segment in the superb anthology Little Deaths already in his back catalogue, Hogan is definitely a name to keep a close eye on. The Devil’s Business is certainly a little different, but it is brave, imaginative filmmaking with the guts to take things a little further. A damn fine effort.
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