Taken at face value, The Devil's Candy looks like yet another horror movie packed with demonic possession, nightmarish visions, and iconoclastic religious symbolism, in the finest traditions of the genre.
But director Sean Byrne says the real inspiration behind the film’s terror originates on a much more Earthly plane.
“My primary influence when I made the film was my fear of parenthood,” the Australian director reveals. “My wife was pregnant with twins at the time and I was petrified of bringing kids into the world. The world just seemed like a much more dangerous place all of a sudden.
“It’s an allegory for those parental fears, and my worst-case scenario for what could happen.”
That said, he also drew inspiration from some of the masters of big-screen horror.
"I was influenced by classics of 1970s and 1980s horror, films that concerned themselves with the idea of hell on Earth, rather than vampires and zombies," he says. "Films such as Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist, The Shining. I think there are definitely parallels with The Shining – the idea of an artist going to a remote house, and that idea of what a location can do to a mind."
The artist in question is Jessie (played by Ethan Embry), a heavy-metal fan, who finds his children in peril when he moves them into a house with a deadly secret.
Byrne’s film has attracted critical acclaim, and his craftsmanship suggests a yearning for an era of thoughtful, “serious” horror films, rather than hack-and-slash schlock.
"I love that early era of horror," the director says. "The genre didn't used to have the stigma attached to it [that it] does now – you'd have The Exorcist nominated for seven Academy Awards.
“And I want to do something with dramatic integrity, because the stakes should be higher in horror than in any other genre – you’re literally dealing with that moment between life and death. In modern horror, there’s not enough focus on characterisation to actually care about the people in peril.”
A big part of the film's success on this score can be attributed to a standout performance by Embry, the star of Empire Records and Vegas Vacation. The director admits that he was surprised by its sheer power.
“His intensity ran deeper than even I was expecting,” says Byrne. “He took the role very seriously, worked out a lot, wasn’t really sleeping, conjured as much of his own personal hell as possible.
“I looked at his back catalogue and he had a great intensity and aggression mixed with a kind of cuddly side. He struck me as someone that could be that ferocious metal warrior that loves his daughter above all else, but could also defend her.
“He really went there – you can see it in his face every time you watch the film.”
The film’s soundtrack is another key part of the experience, featuring songs from metal giants including Metallica, Slayer and Machinehead, as well as incidental music from drone-metal experimentalists Sun O)))).
Byrne gives much of the credit for assembling such an impressive collection of tunes to Metallica.
“I’m still in disbelief that we got Metallica,” he says. “Usually I write a list of what songs I want in my movies, then presume I won’t get them because I’m making an indie.”
Fortunately, one of the film’s producers is a friend of Metallica’s manager, and the band agreed to watch a rough cut.
“They loved it and came on board, says Byrne. “Once you have the biggest band on and not charging too much, no one else wants to say no and they all want to be in it, so thanks to Metallica we were able to get all these amazing bands on board.
“I really think metal is underused in movies. It’s so cinematic, and it’s been a big soundtrack to my life.”
• The Devil’s Candy is in cinemas from tomorrow
� cnewbould@thenational.ae
The%20specs
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
NEW%20UTILITY%20POLICY%3A%20WHAT%20DOES%20IT%20REGULATE%3F
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SPECS
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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BMW%20M4%20Competition
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Structural%20weaknesses%20facing%20Israel%20economy
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Company%20Profile
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Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Honeymoonish
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SWEET%20TOOTH
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Company%20Profile
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JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
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Company%20Profile
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5