Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘History of Evil’

2/26/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Rhonda Dents, Paul Wesley, Murphy Bloom, and Jackie Cruz as Trudy, Ron, Daria, and Alegre in Bo Mirhosseni’s HISTORY OF EVIL. (Photo Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Motion Picture, ‘History of Evil’.

For the most part, horror stories that offer commentary and observation upon great problems in our world… present such musings in a supremely low-key manner. Wherein the writer and director work to use subtext and visuals and allegories to express our worries. Which serves these stories well, since it allows for us to enjoy an entertaining and terrifying ride, that plants a seed in our minds. One that grows and grows as we think about THIS moment or THAT moment and quietly break down a powerful lesson about say, consumerism and our relationship with it, as George Romero expressed to us through the setting and plot of Dawn of the Dead.

But alas, sometimes when the message is so important… so timely… subtlety may not serve the story well. Because if art, which is oft an amazing reflection of life, can make a difference at a critical juncture in our lives… it is tough for creative individuals to use that layered style to impact change or alert people to something that is genuinely of concern. But going a more direct route… can also bring forth its own risks for the story. Since then, a bold and blatant message can keep someone from kicking back and enjoying a story. Which means, if a director or a writer, are eager to go that route and say something loudly, the story will have to serve it perfectly. Which can be done, as evidenced by the brand-new Shudder feature, History of Evil.

Which is a story that plunges us not that far into the future, where we are introduced to the North American Federation. A place that exists in the stead of the United States of America, courtesy of civil wars, civil unrest, and incredible political and ideological divides, and sadly, we quickly come to learn that the NAF isn’t composed of the good guys. Instead, the ultra-right and other extremists won the day, giving rise to the theocracy they’ve always wanted and in this segment of the future, we are also introduced to a man named Ron who is on quite the mission. For his wife, Alegre, has escaped prison as a political prisoner for speaking up, and he is tasked with a woman named Trudy, to hide with all of them, including his and Alegra’s daughter, Daria, from the government in a remote house until the Resistance can pick them up. A mission that seems simple in nature, until Ron discovers that their safehouse… harbors a great evil from which there is no escape.

Which is a plot that is clearly, grounded in real-world horrors and real-world fears, in the least subtle manner possible. For there is in the heart of America, a battle taking place. One where a political party and movement is doing its best to instill ideology and outdated thinking in the name of country. When in fact, their quest has created divisions untold, unrest and even an outright insurrection to stop the Electoral Process. So, what better way to explore urgent fears and express immediate concerns… than by looking at a world where the mad win the day? Which offers up some scary visuals and moments that showcase a nation that is nothing more than a shell of what we know it to be today, and of course… setting the stage in that manner, and keeping us just close enough to present day to make this feel a little too real, allows for writer/director Bo Mirhosseni to start exploring his urgent messaging on how this movement is thriving and how perhaps we stop it.

In that what we are seeing now, is nothing new. It’s been here all along, bubbling beneath the surface of the American Dream. Out of the belief that Americana, can never die, can never end. That it is somehow the core of what America stands for. When in fact, it has died, it has ended, and all that is left now in their minds, is to fight to ty and resurrect it, and instill it into a new generation through force, through the one thing that easily allows for them to gain traction in doing so. Specifically, fear. Because there are few creatures on the planet that are not swayed by fear, and we are no exception and the belief that something is being lost or that change can never happen, resonates with those in fear and it is helping the wrong side dig in and rally their cause, and that makes… for a terrifying motion picture. One that really plays the right kind of game of ‘what if?’ and lets us know that if we don’t figure out how to combat the fear and instill logic again, this could indeed be our own horrific future.

A task that is of course, easier said than done, but sometimes… pointing out the problem inspires change and hopefully this film does that, and it deserves a round of applause for finding a way to express a real urgent worry in manner that is compelling and engaging, yet informative, and for those who say that such concepts aren’t grounded in horror thus making this a throwaway drama piece, have no fear… the horror is there. Because there are some spiritual elements present here that speak to perhaps… an awakening of sorts, as though the hate we feed into the world can awaken something powerful that wants it to persist. But it also does showcase the worst monster of all, us, and all the terror we are capable of and that brings forth a solid horror film. One that offers up some riveting performances, with Paul Wesley (Ron) leading the charge on such matters. But most important of all, it is home to some chilling moments, the kind that stay with you long after this motion picture has come to an end… because they feel so close to home.

Watch ‘History of Evil’

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