Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Devil’s Left Hand’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘The Devil’s Left Hand’ Courtesy of Painted Creek Productions.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Devil’s Left Hand’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the documentary being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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The horror genre is in quite the fascinating place in this day and age. For not only is it at its apex from a popularity perspective, as evidenced by the fact that horror is everywhere and doing quite well on television and in theaters… but it is also offering up some stunningly intelligent stories as well. That take the time to offer up quality and thoughtful commentary on our world and our societal problems. Not to mention, they’re going deeper as well, since so many of them now are exploring the horrors of the human psyche. To the point where the dangers of grief, trauma, and addiction are being put on display in a new light that both terrifies and teaches and well, those really are elements that are pleasing to see, since it means that horror is finally being paid the respect it deserves and is able to really show off what it can do as a genre. 
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But this of course… has come with its own price. Because horror’s versatility, includes the fact that not every scary story out is home to stunning depth and commentary. For there are a bevy of movies and shows throughout its history that offer up straight scares, or buckets of gore. In fact, one of the most important films in the genre’s storied history, The Shining (1980), can be seen as less of an allegory for generational trauma and alcoholism, and more of an experiment in fear. Since it is a non-stop ride from beginning to end. But those types of stories, those raw, in your face, horror stories have been put on the backburner in these gory salad days, so that these magnum opuses about the human condition can be put on display. But as time goes on, and the demand for horror films grow, there’s room for those types of stories to return to the forefront. In fact, one of note that recently hit the market, is The Devil’s Left Hand.

Which is a horror story… that actually takes the time to toy with the audience in a fun way. For this is a story about a couple named Cassidy and Richie, that makes the poor choice to host a séance in their new home as part of their housewarming party. Which goes just fine… until something sinister breaks through the ceremony and makes powerful threats to Richie. Which brings the séance to an end and leaves everyone briefly wondering what the hell just happened and why Richie was so rattled. For there’s no way anything serious came out of this event. But soon, the revelation that Richie heard his father’s spirit that night, and begins to see him, alongside strange happenings that begin to plague everyone that was present at the party, even the medium, puts everyone in a panic. For clearly, they’ve unleashed something powerful through a simple game, but they don’t know what… or how to put it back where it belongs.

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Which is a plot that hints greatly… at a story designed to explore generational trauma and the power of it when we don’t resolve it. Since Richie’s dad was an evil man and caused great harm to Richie and his mother, and his visual return also leaves the audience wondering if by chance… he was into some scary stuff that allowed him to live forever. And all of those possibilities really seem to build toward a modern horror story. But that is nothing more than the toying we spoke of earlier. For that makes the audience comfortable and open to whatever the story has to offer and that’s when… this movie straight up shocks the viewer. For there is no deeper meaning to be found here. Just a good old-fashioned evil ghost story and that brings forth one intense and uncomfortable ride. 
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Since we quickly come to learn, these folks are dealing with a force of nature. One that doesn’t want to be reasoned with. It just wants to produce fear, and claim souls and that is what gives us an old-school horror story. One filled with eerie visuals and creepy moments. That pay homage to the classics while also leaving us on the edge of our seats. Because we simply don’t know what to expect from the story or the spirit and well, that makes this a refreshing horror film. One that really does leave your heart racing and requires little thought. It just wants to provide you with an experience, and make you squirm and worry, and truly… it is mission accomplished when it comes to all of that. But what matters most… is that the wonder of this story doesn’t end with its throwback structure and design. 

Because it also features, some fun performances. The kind that speaks to the madness this creature from beyond evokes in the poor souls it is tormenting, and it also… features some damn fine kills and gore. Which is a staple of those classics as well, and the movie does a magnificent job of turning your stomach with the splatter present here. In the end, however, all of these elements make this a delightful watch. One that you can absolutely get lost in and enjoy some fine scares and some fine splatter and in a way, while this horror feature does indeed cater to the folks that want the non-stop scares and gore, it does in fact have something for everyone. Simply because there is indeed one particular message worth nothing in this story. In that, you should never mess with spirit world, for you never know what you’ll unleash when you poke around that realm.  

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