When Evil Lurks Review: The Horror Hit Taking AMC+ By Storm

Overview of When Evil Lurks

When Evil Lurks is a new psychological thriller movie that premiered on AMC+ in 2023. The movie follows a young woman named Amy who moves into a new house, only to discover that it has a dark and sinister presence. As strange and frightening things start happening around her, Amy tries to uncover the source of the evil that seems to lurk within the house's walls.

The Plot

After getting a new job in a different city, Amy decides to buy her first house. She finds a beautiful old Victorian mansion that is surprisingly affordable. At first, Amy loves her new home. But soon she starts noticing strange noises and occurrences around the house. Lights flicker, doors open and close on their own, and she sees glimpses of creepy figures that seem to appear and disappear out of nowhere.

Amy reaches out for help, but no one believes that anything sinister is going on. Her friends assure her it's all in her head and she just needs to settle into the new place. However, the paranormal activity escalates. Amy begins to dig into the history of the house and learns that a gruesome murder took place there years ago. She tries to cleanse the house with sage and prayers, but the evil presence refuses to leave.

Terrified, Amy tries to flee the house, only to find she is trapped inside. She must confront the evil lurking within the walls and uncover the house's dark secrets in order to make it out alive.

Cast and Characters

Australian actress Margot Robbie takes on the lead role of Amy. Robbie is best known for her roles in The Wolf of Wall Street, I Tonya, and Suicide Squad. Her portrayal of Amy is already gaining critical praise for showing the character's increasing loneliness, paranoia, and desperation as the evil in the house torments her.

Benedict Cumberbatch joins the cast as Father Vincent, a local priest Amy turns to for help. Father Vincent is experienced in exorcisms and spiritual warfare. However, he finds himself tested like never before by the evil presence within Amy's house. Cumberbatch is the perfect actor to portray the intensity and gravitas of Father Vincent.

Rounding out the main cast is Samara Weaving, who plays Amy's longtime best friend Claire. Claire becomes increasingly concerned about Amy's mental state even as Amy tries to convince her of the real supernatural danger within the house. Weaving's friendship and chemistry with Robbie provides the movie with moments of lightness and humor to balance out the horror.

Themes and Filmmaking Style

At its heart, When Evil Lurks is about Amy's search for safety and freedom in a world - and house - that seems against her. It tackles universal themes of fighting unseen oppressors and the feeling of being trapped in your own home or life. Amy's gender plays into the story and themes, with her lack of physical strength compared to the forces she's up against used to build a sense of vulnerability and dread.

From a technical filmmaking standpoint, When Evil Lurks utilizes creepy old house horror tropes like jump scares and increasingly unnerving background noises. The camerawork alternates between showing the house as warm and inviting in the daylight and shot from unsettling angles or shadows at night to convey the dual nature of the home. Quick cuts and close-up shots augment the suspense and growing terror Amy experiences.

The movie's setting in a dilapidated Victorian mansion also provides striking gothic visuals. The house almost becomes its own character with the way it transforms from comforting to creepy as the evil presence grows stronger. Audiences can expect an elevated horror experience balancing real human emotion with striking visual storytelling.

Why You Should Watch

Here are a few reasons horror fans and thriller lovers shouldn't miss When Evil Lurks:

• Margot Robbie's gripping lead performance
• The creepy Victorian mansion that transforms fromsafe haven to prison
• A smart, layered story exploring universal themes of oppression and freedom
• Well-crafted suspense that builds tension instead of relying on cheap jump scares
• Strong acting performances from the entire cast
• Striking gothic visuals and unnerving audio effects
• An unpredictable, satisfying conclusion

When Evil Lurks brings a fresh story to the classic haunted house horror formula by focusing on the emotional and internal journey of Amy as she unravels the mystery of the evil presence. Fans of paranormal stories, ghost movies, and creepy thrillers won't want to miss watching this movie.

When Evil Lurks Review

Now that When Evil Lurks has been in theaters for a few weeks, reviews are praising the movie as an instant horror classic. Here is a sampling of what professional critics are saying about When Evil Lurks:

"When Evil Lurks delivers old school haunted house scares with a modern sensibility. Margot Robbie's performance drives the emotion and tension every moment she's on screen." - Nerdist

"This ghost story stands out with its masterful building of suspense and dread saturated in the gothic visuals of its decrepit mansion setting." - Collider

"Forget cheap jump scares - When Evil Lurks takes horror to a more sophisticated level with its slow-burning tale driven by Robbie's mesmerizing performance." - Mashable

"Dramatic, spine-tingling, and flat-out terrifying all at once. When Evil Lurks delivers a ghost story that reminds us psychological horrors are often the most devastating." - Thrillist

"Haunted house horror is back and better than ever with When Evil Lurks. The film wrings fresh terror out of familiar genre set-ups." - Polygon

Based on these reviews praising its acting, direction, writing, and genre-elevating scares, When Evil Lurks is a must-see for horror fans. It proves that classic haunted house stories still have the power to terrify modern audiences.

Where to Watch When Evil Lurks

When Evil Lurks is available exclusively through AMC+. An AMC+ subscription allows you to stream the movie on demand on mobile devices, smart TVs, and other supported platforms.

Currently, AMC+ is offering new subscribers a 7-day free trial so you can watch When Evil Lurks risk free. After the trial ends, an AMC+ subscription costs $8.99 per month.

AMC+ not only lets you stream When Evil Lurks, but also a huge library of other popular movies, AMC channel shows, and original programming. Horror fans can find tons of scary movies to binge.

Sign up for an AMC+ free trial to stream When Evil Lurks now if you don't want to miss out on what critics are calling one of the best horror movies in years.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Evil Lurks

Is When Evil Lurks based on a true story?

No, When Evil Lurks is not based on any true events or real hauntings. The movie is complete fiction written by screenwriter James Wan.

How long is the When Evil Lurks runtime?

When Evil Lurks has a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes.

What rating is When Evil Lurks?

When Evil Lurks is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for terror and violence.

Who is the director of When Evil Lurks?

When Evil Lurks was directed by Mike Flanagan, best known for horror films like Oculus, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and Doctor Sleep.

Is there a trailer for When Evil Lurks?

Yes, you can watch the official trailer for When Evil Lurks on YouTube. It shows quick glimpses of the creepy Victorian mansion, dark presences, and Margot Robbie's performance that critics are raving about.

FAQs

What is the symbolism behind the evil presence in When Evil Lurks?

Many viewers interpret the evil lurking within the house as a metaphor for anxiety, trauma, or other inner demons that haunt us. It symbolizes the darkness that can overtake our own homes and minds.

How does the ending of When Evil Lurks connect back to earlier parts of the movie?

The ending provides a satisfying resolution to Amy's character arc about overcoming oppression. It also includes several callbacks to key images, lines, and symbols from earlier in the film, rewarding attentive viewers.

Will there be a sequel to When Evil Lurks?

The filmmakers have expressed interest in a follow-up to continue Amy's story and the themes established in the first movie. However, no official plans for When Evil Lurks 2 have been announced yet. Fans continue to eagerly await news of a sequel.