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The following article contains discussions of attempted suicide.
The 2023 horror film Nefarious intricately weaves a narrative that delves deep into the psyche, leading audiences to wonder if Nefarious is based on a true story. Centering on a psychiatrist assigned to evaluate Edward Wayne Brady, a death row inmate claiming possession by a demon named Nefarious, the film explores themes of evil, mental health, and the supernatural within the confines of a stark penitentiary. This premise invites viewers to question the nature of reality and morality, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements to probe the darkest corners of human existence.
Despite its compelling narrative and thematic depth, Nefarious faced negative reviews from critics, garnering an unfavorable 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, this critical reception contrasts sharply with the film's overwhelming approval from audiences, who gave it a 96% audience score, underscoring a significant divergence between critical and viewer perceptions. This discrepancy highlights the film's ability to connect with viewers on a personal level, stirring deep-seated fears and existential questions, along with the feeling of the film being a true story.
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What Happens At The End Of Nefarious
Nefarious Is Responsible For The Three Deaths In Dr. Martin's Life
Edward Wayne Brady is at the center of the Nefarious ending, his fate intertwined with that of Dr. James Martin. Brady's dark prophecy—that three deaths would occur before his departure from the state penitentiary—begins to materialize in a haunting and unexpected manner. The first of these tragic events is the death of Dr. Martin's mother, a deeply personal loss that had already occurred when Martin made the agonizing decision to take her off life support, a decision Brady eerily references, hinting at his unnerving knowledge of Martin's personal life.
The second foretold "death" occurs when Dr. Martin's girlfriend has an abortion on the basis that she thinks he will leave her because of the pregnancy. This is untrue, but when Dr. Martin calls his girlfriend to set the record straight, he learns that she has already gone through with the abortion.
Brady's influence extends beyond his death through the manuscript he authors under the demon Nefarious' influence. Titled The Dark Gospel, this work serves as a macabre diary of Dr. Martin's life, suggesting an otherworldly knowledge and manipulation of human affairs. Martin, initially skeptical of Brady's claims, is forced into a reevaluation of his beliefs following a near-fatal altercation with Brady, which precipitates the state's execution of the convicted murderer. This encounter leaves Martin grappling with the reality of evil, both human and supernatural.
In a final twist, as Nefarious attempts to claim Martin in a desperate moment, a failed suicide attempt—potentially thwarted by divine intervention—leaves Martin questioning the very nature of existence and the forces at play within it. Refusing to accept this as mere coincidence, Martin takes it upon himself to publish The Dark Gospel, rewriting it as a cautionary tale against the pervasive evil lurking in the world.
A year later, during a television appearance to promote the book, Nefarious returns to confront Martin one more time. Now inhabiting another host, Nefarious reiterates the eternal struggle between good and evil. This chilling encounter serves as a stark reminder of the film's central, if not heavy-handed, theme: the battle between light and darkness is unending, and the human soul is the battleground on which this eternal war is fought.
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What Is The Nefarious Demon?
Nefarious Isn't Just A Demon But An Insidious Form Of Corruption
The Nefarious demon, a central figure in the film, embodies far more than the traditional concept of a malevolent spirit seeking to possess and corrupt its human hosts. This entity is portrayed as an ancient and intelligent force of evil, with motivations and a history that suggest a complex understanding of human nature and the moral dilemmas that individuals face. Unlike many demonic characters depicted in horror cinema, Nefarious does not merely aim to invoke fear or chaos but engages in a more insidious form of corruption, targeting the souls and psyches of its victims.
Nefarious' influence over Edward Wayne Brady and, by extension, Dr. James Martin, is a testament to its manipulative prowess. Through Brady, the demon reveals an intimate knowledge of Martin's life, including his deepest fears and most painful memories. This suggests that Nefarious' power lies not only in its supernatural abilities but in its psychological acuity, enabling it to exploit the vulnerabilities of its targets effectively. The demon's goal is not just to possess bodies but to challenge and corrupt the very essence of what makes them human: their capacity for love, morality, and free will.
The creation of The Dark Gospel under Nefarious' influence is particularly telling of the demon's ambitions. This manuscript is not just a record of Martin's life but a tool designed to spread Nefarious' malevolent ideology, suggesting that the demon's intentions extend beyond individual torment to a broader desire to challenge societal norms and moral codes. The book serves as a physical manifestation of Nefarious' influence, a sinister testament to its long-term planning and strategic manipulation of human affairs.
Why Brady Was Given The Death Sentence
He Is Declared Sane Despite Being Possessed By Nefarious
Edward Wayne Brady's conviction and subsequent death sentence in Nefarious are pivotal to the film's exploration of justice, morality, and the supernatural. Brady, portrayed as both a victim and perpetrator, finds himself at the intersection of the legal system and the unseen world of demonic possession in the movie. His conviction for the murders of six individuals sets the stage for a complex narrative, where the lines between guilt and innocence, freedom and punishment, are blurred by the film's supernatural elements.
The murders for which Brady is sentenced to death are depicted not merely as acts of violence but as manifestations of a deeper, more insidious evil. This representation challenges the audience to reconsider the nature of accountability when actions may be influenced by forces beyond human understanding. Nevertheless, despite being possessed by Nefarious, Dr. Martin still declares him sane, meaning that Brady will get the death penalty.
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Why Nefarious Tried To Kill Martin
The Demon Is Testing Martin's Faith & Convictions
The attempt on Dr. James Martin's life by the demon Nefarious represents a critical juncture, serving as a dramatic manifestation of the film's exploration of good versus evil, belief versus skepticism, and the power of human resilience in the face of supernatural threats. This confrontation between Martin and Nefarious is not merely a physical battle but a symbolic struggle that delves into the complexities of faith, personal conviction, and the inherent vulnerability of humans when confronted with malevolent forces that challenge the very foundations of their understanding of the world.
Nefarious' attempt to kill Martin can be interpreted as a strategic move aimed at undermining the last bastions of resistance against its dark influence. As a psychiatrist, Martin represents a scientific and rational approach to understanding the human mind — perspectives that are inherently at odds with the irrationality and chaos sown by demonic forces like Nefarious. By targeting Martin, Nefarious seeks to not only eliminate a direct threat but also dismantle the symbolic order that Martin stands for, further blurring the lines between logic and superstition, between the natural and the supernatural.
This act of aggression can also be seen as a test of Martin's faith and convictions. Throughout the film, Martin struggles with his own beliefs, oscillating between skepticism and the dawning realization that there may be truths beyond the reach of science and reason. Nefarious' attempt on his life forces Martin to confront these doubts head-on, pushing him to a point where he must choose between succumbing to despair or embracing a broader understanding of reality that includes the possibility of supernatural evil.
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Why Nefarious Feels Like A True Story
The Movie's Themes Are Rooted In Historical & Contemporary Fears
Nefarious' exploration of themes such as demonic possession and the influence of malevolent forces on human behavior resonates with historical and contemporary fears and fascinations. Throughout history, stories of possession and the battle between good and evil have found their place in the folklore and mythologies of various cultures. By drawing on these deep-rooted narratives, Nefarious taps into a collective unconscious, evoking a sense of familiarity and truth that transcends the boundaries of fiction. The film's portrayal of these themes through the lens of modern characters makes the story feel all the more real and immediate to its audience.
While Nefarious isn't based on a true story, it is based on Steve Deace's 2016 novel The Nefarious Plot. This connection to a pre-existing literary work imbues the film with a sense of depth and premeditation. According to Deace, the film acts as a prequel to his novel, integrating several lines from the book and retaining the demon Nefarious. Deace commented (via Christian Forums):
"This movie serves as a prequel of sorts to my book A Nefarious Plot. Several lines from it are quoted in the film, and the Nefarious of my book is the one in the film, albeit with Sean Patrick Flannery’s personal touch. But the movie will show you the origin of my book. In 2020, I wrote a sequel to it called A Nefarious Carol, which we will also adapt into a film if this one is successful."
This deliberate weaving of the novel's themes and characters into the film's narrative fabric anchors it in a broader literary and thematic context, enhancing the story's resonance as reflecting true-to-life struggles, albeit through a supernatural lens. Additionally the comments by co-directors Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon about the film's marketing and thematic grounding further illuminate why Nefarious feels like a true story. By presenting the religious horror movie within the framework of mainstream genre, the creators strategically positioned Nefarious to engage viewers beyond the confines of typical genre expectations. Konzelman explained (via Denver Catholic):
"It’s grounded in a theological sense, but it’s also entertainment. And don’t be afraid of the poster — [it] looks pretty intimidating. The poster is a Trojan horse designed to lure the mainstream horror audience into the film, nonbelievers."
Solomon added:
"Basically, they look at the poster and say, 'We want to go to that movie' because they’re drawn to the occult, which is exactly why we did the poster. In reality, anyone who has seen the movie can tell you there’s no sex or any bad language."
The deliberate choice to eschew explicit content such as sex and bad language speaks to the film's intent to focus on deeper, more universal themes rather than shock value. This decision reinforces the film's accessibility and its potential to resonate with a wide audience by centering on the narrative's moral and existential dilemmas rather than relying on genre conventions. The result is a film that not only captivates and entertains but also invites viewers to ponder significant questions about faith, evil, and the human condition — elements that are very much a part of the real world’s fabric.
The psychological depth of the characters and their moral dilemmas lend a sense of authenticity to the narrative. The characters in Nefarious, particularly Dr. James Martin and Edward Wayne Brady, are not mere archetypes but complex individuals facing profound ethical and existential challenges. Their struggles with faith, guilt, and redemption mirror the internal conflicts that many people experience, making their journeys relatable and their decisions and transformations believable. This psychological realism transforms the supernatural elements of the story into metaphors for the internal demons that everyone battles, thereby grounding the film's more fantastical aspects in genuine human experiences.
The Real Meaning Of The Nefarious Ending
The Movie's Ending Declares That The Conflict Between Good & Evil Is Never Ending
The Nefarious ending serves as a complex tapestry that interweaves themes of good versus evil, faith, and human resilience, offering a nuanced meditation on the nature of morality and the eternal struggle that defines the human condition. At its core, the film's conclusion transcends the conventional horror narrative, positioning itself as a philosophical inquiry into the essence of evil and the capacity for redemption in the face of darkness.
The final confrontation between Dr. James Martin and the demon Nefarious, especially through the latter's new human host, crystallizes the film's exploration of the cyclical nature of good and evil. This moment in Nefarious is not merely a climactic battle but a symbolic representation of the ongoing war between light and darkness, a theme that resonates deeply with the audience's understanding of their own internal and external battles. Nefarious' parting message to Martin — that the conflict between good and evil is never-ending — serves to highlight the perpetual nature of this struggle.
How The Nefarious Ending Was Received
The Film Was Divisive, Though Not Because Of The Climax
Overall, Nefarious was an incredibly divisive movie, especially when it came to the opinions of critics vs. those of general viewers. The 2023 psychological horror sits with a mere 35% critical score on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, whereas the Popcornmeter (the measure of audience response) clocks in with an impressive 96%. However, the ending didn't factor too much into the negative responses. Rather, the problem many critics had was a mislabeling of the genre and the themes being conveyed in a manner that many found far too heavy-handed.
For example, critic Bill Goodykoontz for azcentral took particular chagrin with many of the themes and messages of Nefarious, and how they were delivered. "Without revealing too much, [Edward] then rants about abortion being murder," Goodykoontz writs, "which is all well and good from the demon's perspective, but not from the filmmakers'. And they're not subtle about it." He then goes on to elaborate, explaining that the Christian themes of Nefarious supersede the plot, significantly detracting from the viewing experience:
Up to this point, you wouldn’t have guessed “Nefarious” is a faith-based movie. Although it’s not a surprise, given the other films writers and directors Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon have made; their resume includes such films as “God’s Not Dead” and “Unplanned.” Which is fine, until their message becomes increasingly heavy-handed and the film begins to suffer accordingly, at least in cinematic terms. (How it works on a religious level will be up to you and your faith.)
Even the more positive (or, at the very least, less vitriolic) reviews of Nefarious couldn't shy away from the movie placing more effort into delivering a political/faith-based message than it did its own narrative. This is even true when it comes to many critics who agreed with many of the more controversial viewpoints of filmmakers Cary Solomon and Chuck Knozelman. To illustrate, the review on bleedingfool from critic Victor James doesn't express disagreement with the message of Nefarious, yet still finds the fixation on it distracting:
The modern themes addressed in Nefarious also give the film a depth of quality not seen before in possession films. Education, euthanasia, Molech and demon worship, the weakness of the “modern church”, abortion, modern slavery, and far-left ideologies are just some of the themes addressed in this movie. If there is one thing I can agree with the critics, who absolutely hated this movie, is that there is a moment when the film went a bit preachy, yet nothing that was said was untrue, just too on the nose.
All in all, Nefarious was a divisive film that seemed to delight many viewers but frustrate many critics. Those who enjoyed the movie likely found the ending to be satisfactory, whereas the same is true in reverse for those who responded negatively. It can't be said that the Nefarious ending was make-or-break for the psychological horror/thriller. It's a film that, for many, contained a long list of problems, but the final moments were far from the most pressing issues.
Nefarious is a 2023 thriller directed by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon. The film follows the story of a death row inmate who claims to be possessed by a demon. As his execution date approaches, a psychiatrist must determine whether the inmate's claims are genuine or a ploy for an insanity defense. This gripping narrative delves into themes of belief, morality, and the supernatural.
Director Chuck Konzelman , Cary Soloman
Release Date April 14, 2023
Runtime 97 Minutes
English (US) ·