Greetings from Lithuania.

"The Vigil" (2019) isn't the best horror movie around. But for me who was searching some horror movie escapism before Halloween in 2021 it did its job. Its a descent horror flick with creepy premise and setting. Its a small budget flick and you can clearly see it, yet it wasn't bad at all. I liked acting by few main actors as well claustrophobic setting. The whole idea of taking premise into Jewish culture and religion was pretty original in my opinion - you won't see this premise very often to say the least.

Overall, "The Vigil" was not heavy on jump scares but if focused on mood and setting and its Jewish culture premise. For that i liked this movie - for what it is it did its job for me and nothing more.

The title cards at the beginning of 'The Vigil' made for very interesting reading to me. I had never heard of the Jewish process of watching over the soul of a dead body soon after it dies. It does present itself as a great set-up for a horror movie though. For some reason it was very strange watching Hasidic Jews as the characters in a horror film. I can't think of another film in that genre based around them (I'm sure there is, I just haven't seen it). The film has some good moments but ultimately falls short of turning into anything great.

The film is well paced. It starts out with the usual character introductions and some exposition, but then once we get to the house where the action is due to take place the film kicks into gear pretty quickly and doesn't relent for a long while. The middle of this film is by far the strongest third. There are some good scares and a little mystery element as to exactly what is going on.

Sadly the ending of 'The Vigil' let the film down in my opinion. It was very "meh" and left the film as a very forgettable experience unfortunately. Playing it safe when it comes to endings is never the way to go for my liking. However, even though it ends on a bit of a flat note there is enough quality horror through the middle to make this worth a watch. It will probably be a film you will enjoy the most if your expectations aren't too high however.

The Reason that this Sub-Genre of Horror Films that Could be Called "Holy Horror" has been so Successful in the Post-Code Era...

Religion is a Creepy Thing.

"Other" Religions Especially Estranged and Creepy.

One Man's Religion is Another Man's Creep-Fest.

This New Low-Low Budget Entry Unfolds within an Orthodox Jewish Setting of a Mystical Supernatural "Vigil" Involving a "Shimmer".

This is a Tradition of "Corpse Sitting" of a Recently Deceased to Ward-Off Demonic Attempts to Corrupt the Soul of the Departed.

It's a Minimalist Movie that Focuses on a "Shimmer" (Dave Davis),

who Recently Abandoned the Jewish Orthodox Tribe and Entered Unfamiliar Territory.

He is Drawn Back by a Rabbi who Asked He Sit as a "Shimmer" and will Provide a Much-Needed Paycheck for His Service.

Reluctant but Happy for the Opportunity to Make Some Cash, He Agrees,

Despite His Mental Instability brought on by the Guilt of Failing to Protect His Young Brother.

Even Though Not Directly Responsible, He Froze During a Confrontation with Street-Thugs and the Brother is Killed by Car During His Panic.

This is at the Heart of this Psychological/Paranormal Story that is Unsettling and Unnerving During His Night at the Home of His "Sitting".

Things Begin to Happen as He is Confronted by a "Demon" that was Inhabiting the Elderly Corpse His Entire Life.

The Encounter is Handled with Low-Budget, but Effective Atmosphere of Dark Environs.

Scary Stuff is Everywhere He Looks,

and the Character as Well as the Actor Portrays an Intelligence Under Pressure,

with an Ease of Performance Rarely Seen in this Type of Scare-Fest.

A Solid Entry in "Holy Horror" and a Satisfying Movie,

that Lovers of the Genre Should be Pleased.

With its No-Nonsense Approach that Delivers the Goods and is Artfully Approached by the Makers.