Evil inSight

When an anonymous letter sparks the reopening of a ten-year-old cold case, detectives Stan Zeilinski (Biberi) and Colin Banks (Thomas) follow the clues straight to a body, a prime suspect in Simian Cain (O’Brien), and evidence of a much larger body count. Cain adamantly protests his innocence but claims he can help the investigation through his unique ability to speak with the dead. Reluctantly acquiescing, the detectives follow Cain’s leads, but their investigation takes them to far darker, more sinister places than they could ever have imagined.

Evil inSight does not mess about. After putting us front and centre for a grisly murder within mere seconds, we’re off and running on a thrilling, if not occasionally bumpy, ride with the devil. What unfolds over the next ninety minutes or so is a supernatural detective thriller that strives for authenticity while also aiming to offer something different. Writers and directors Don Close and Fiore DeRosa present a project full of clear passion, with an inherent affection for both the detective and supernatural thriller genres evident in every detail of the film's look and feel.

And for the most part, it really works. The success of any detective drama ultimately hinges on the performances of the actors wearing the badges and waving the guns, and in both Biberi and Thomas, we get two leads grounded enough to not only convince us that this world that’s been built around them is real, but their dynamic chemistry and on-screen energy are the film’s biggest weapon in keeping us engaged with the story and won’t let you go, even when other aspects are unintentionally working against it.

One of these is the surrounding cast. O’Brien aside, who actually offers impressive depth and nuance to chief suspect Simeon Cain, most of the rest seem relegated to serving stunted bursts of exposition. It’s a habit the film repeatedly sticks to, which is a shame, as there is plenty of evidence in other aspects that show it is more than capable of driving the story forward in more creative ways.

The film’s supernatural element, the very hook that sets it apart from your average cop thriller, is mostly executed well, a fun premise that helps keep the mystery going in unexpected directions. Occasionally, its visual effects do dip in quality, briefly breaking the tension and illusion, but the positives easily outweigh the negatives; a summarisation that could be applied to the film as a whole. Its roughness is always more than made up for by compelling protagonists and a premise that will ultimately leave you satisfied.

A bit rough in some places, but overall Evil inSight makes good on its promise, delivering a genuinely enjoyable and tense affair you’ll want to follow through right till the end.