The Last Exorcism was one of the smartest found footage horrors yet, if not the smartest, and audiences rewarded it with a sizable turn out at the box office. Produced by Eli Roth and featuring two fantastic performances by Ashley Bell and Patrick Fabian, the film used its mockumentary style to make a statement about demonic possession, and by extension these possession movies that crop up in droves every year. But now the first trailer for the sequel is here, and it does away with all of that. Turns out that may not be such a bad thing.
Sporting a more traditional look and a pscyho-thriller tone, the film continues to follow the formerly possessed Nell Sweetzer(Bell) who can't remember the events of the last few months. While trying to begin a new life in New Orleans, the same demonic force that caused her so much grief comes back to haunt her. Fabian was such a strong reason the first film worked that I'm still concerned this one won't have the same passion and energy, but at least it looks competently directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly.
The Last Exorcism Part II opens on March 1st 2013.
