--- title: "When Evil Lurks: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/when-evil-lurks/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/when-evil-lurks" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # When Evil Lurks (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 12 reviews: 9 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like When Evil Lurks: nine of the twelve reviews are positive and none is negative. The praise clusters on Rugna’s mythology, a possession outbreak whose rules are revealed gradually rather than explained, and whose shocks grow out of the characters and the rural Argentine setting rather than arriving on cue. Several reviews also single out the craft, in particular the widescreen photography, the score and the practical effects, and most agree the violence is brutal, unflinching and staged with real skill. The reservations gather in the second half. The Los Angeles Times finds the climax rushed, Paste finds some third-act choices too mystifying, and Collider thinks the setup is laboured. The spread is fairly wide. Polygon sits at the top, treating the film as a memorable revival of possession horror, while IndieWire is the only dissenter of note, finding it mediocre and saying it squanders a promising opening by losing momentum. ## Slant Magazine — Steven Scaife Rating 3/4. 13 October 2023. Scaife finds the film disturbing and truthful in its depiction of a world overtaken by human failures. He praises Rugna’s inventive, gradually revealed mythology and the way its shocking images emerge from character and context. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/when-evil-lurks-review-demian-rugna/) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 October 2023. Nicholson finds the film an enjoyable, unpredictable horror thriller, though its rushed climax weakens the emotional payoff. She praises Rugna’s sustained dread and skillfully staged, brutal violence. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-10-06/when-evil-lurks-review-demian-rugna-horror-shudder) ## Variety — Dennis Harvey Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 October 2023. Harvey finds the film uneven but engrossing, ultimately calling it a bracing and unpredictable ride. He praises its atmospheric craft, especially the widescreen cinematography and unsettling score. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/when-evil-lurks-review-1235741525/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. The review’s specific praise or complaint is also unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/when-evil-lurks-movie-review-2023) ## Screen Daily — Nikki Baughan Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 3 October 2023. The accessible text confirms this is a review, but does not reveal the critic’s verdict. The standfirst describes rural Argentine horror centered on an ancient evil. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/when-evil-lurks-review/5186477.article) ## IndieWire — Wilson Chapman Rating C. 14 September 2023. Festival review. Chapman finds the film feverishly mediocre, saying it squanders an intriguing premise and loses momentum in its second half. He praises the opening’s restrained world-building, which lets the audience piece together the rules of demonic possession. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/when-evil-lurks-review-tiff-1234904697/) ## Polygon — Tasha Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 6 October 2023. Festival review. Robinson calls the film a terrifying, memorable revival of possession horror. She particularly praises its carefully built world and family drama, alongside its strong performances and shocking practical effects. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/23905198/when-evil-lurks-review-scariest-horror-movie-of-2023/) ## Paste — Aurora Amidon Rating 8.1/10. 7 October 2023. The review finds the film an original, nightmarish horror story that is also exceptionally fun. It praises the restrained cinematography and score, while noting that some third-act actions are too mystifying. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/demian-rugna/when-evil-lurks-review) ## /Film — Rafael Motamayor Rating 8/10. 23 September 2023. Festival review. The review praises the film as a disturbing, gory, and smart take on possession horror. It singles out Rugna’s expansive world-building and the way the story conveys a terrifyingly ordinary demonic infestation. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1402393/when-evil-lurks-review/) ## Collider — Chase Hutchinson Rating B. 16 September 2023. Festival review. Hutchinson finds the film a brutally effective, dread-filled horror ride, despite some narrative weaknesses and a belabored setup. He praises its relentless, chaotic violence and willingness to deliver gruesome scares without pulling punches. [Read the review](https://collider.com/when-evil-lurks-review/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 7 October 2023. Kermode finds the film deeply unsettling and compelling, praising how its possession-plague premise explores the human response to catastrophe. She singles out its haunting atmosphere and moral challenge, while noting its devastating tragedy and disturbing violence against children. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/when-evil-lurks-2023-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2023. The headline presents Rugna’s possession film as disturbing yet wonderful. It singles out the film’s horrifying approach to possession. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/when-evil-lurks-review-demian-rugnas-horrifying-new-take-on-possession-is-disturbing-wonderful-20231024/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/when-evil-lurks.md