Devil’s Workshop – Movie Review (4/5)

DEVIL’S WORKSHOP is a new horror movie that is so much better than the poster would have you believe. Well, any of the PR images, really. Instead, it’s a horror movie full of tribute to classic demonic stories. Read our full Devil’s Workshop movie review here!

DEVIL’S WORKSHOP is a new horror movie starring Radha Mitchell, Timothy Granaderos, and Emile Hirsch. And to be perfectly honest, this core cast is the only reason we even gave the trailer for this film a chance. I’ll get back to why this cast made me want to watch it in a minute.

First, let me just say that the poster and all other PR images that are not directly from the film are absolutely terrible. They give off an impression that is nothing like the actual horror movie. It looks like it’s cheap, kitsch, and just “made-for-pay”. Instead, the film has impressive special effects and a solid demonic story.

Continue reading our Devil’s Workshop movie review below. The movie premiered on September 30, 2022.

The cast of this devilish horror movie

I mentioned the core cast of Radha Mitchell, Timothy Granaderos, and Emile Hirsch already, but are you familiar with all three? For me, the most recent acquaintance is Timothy Granaderos, and I have become a fast fan. Devil’s Workshop is just another reason why.

If you’ve watched the 13 Reasons Why or Runaways series, then you’ll probably know him already. I haven’t watched either, but I saw him co-starring in the Who Invited Them horror-thriller (with a comedic twist) that was released on Shudder very recently. This is where I know Timothy Granaderos from.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS

The Shudder horror movie Who Invited Them with Timothy Granaderos in a lead role as well >

Most horror fans will probably know Radha Mitchell from the first Silent Hill video game adaption from 2006 and The Crazies remake from 2010. Also, she was in the Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) crocodile horror movie Rogue from 2007. Basically, Radha Mitchell has done a lot of horror movies in her career.

Just recently, we reviewed The Immaculate Room which also starred Emile Hirsch. However, my go-to recommendation starring him is the awesome The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016). Another recent movie, that I’ll gladly recommend, is Son (2021). And the fairly recent, Freaks (2018) which is a great sci-fi mystery.

But, for your own sake, steer clear of Midnight in the Switchgrass. Yikes!

Try not to scare off horror fans

As already stated, the poster for Devil’s Workshop is not my cup of tea. At all. In fact, it was almost enough for me to ignore it completely. Not that we don’t want to cover (as in watch and review) every single thing that comes out. It’s just that it looked too cheap and completely lacked passion.

Fortunately, the opposite is the case with this horror movie. While it is slow-burn in some ways – and can even feel like a horror drama with the sometimes very dialogue-heavy scenes – it is essentially a very classic horror movie with a demon story at its core.

WANT MORE DEMON STORIES?

Be sure to check out the just released My Best Friend’s Exorcism on Prime Video >

Just from watching the trailer, you’ll recognize that the poster feels like a very separate thing. And once you’ve watched the movie (which you absolutely should), then you’ll know the poster has absolutely nothing to do with the actual film.

And, sure, you could say that this just goes to show: You can’t judge a book by its cover (or a movie by its poster, as it’s the case here). However, that’s just not the world we live in. With a constant release of genre movies via streaming, On-Demand, and in the movie theater, you have to do your best to stand out.

But not in a bad way as it’s the case with this one, because there are always alternatives available. If not another horror movie, then lots of horror and thriller series. Many of them absolutely amazing (thank you, Mike Flanagan).

Watch Devil’s Workshop however it best suits you, but watch it!

Chris von Hoffmann is the writer and director of this horror movie, which turned out to be so much fun. With a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes, I was entertained in true horror fan fashion. With both psychological and very physical horror elements. Both in a very relatable way and of a more supernatural kind.

Both Emile Hirsch and Radha Mitchell appear to be having a blast in Devil’s Workshop. In very different, but somehow equally impressive and intense, ways. Okay, ultimately, Radha Mitchell is – by far actually – the wildest. And yet, both play a big part in the ending of Devil’s Workshop being absolutely brilliant!

Also, make sure you stick around for the end credit bits. They play out alongside the credits and have Emile Hirsch showcasing some of his other “talents”.

DEVIL’S WORKSHOP is available in select theaters, on demand, and digital on September 30 from Lionsgate. The film will also be available on Blu-ray and DVD on November 8, 2022.

Details

Director: Chris von Hoffmann
Writer: Chris von Hoffmann
Stars: Radha Mitchell, Timothy Granaderos, Emile Hirsch, Sarah Coffey, Brooke Ramirez, Chris von Hoffmann