Luciferina: Blu-Ray Review

Arriving this week on Blu-ray is Gonzalo Calzada’s Argentinian horror film, “Luciferina”. If you are looking for a fresh take on the stale exorcism sub-genre, then this is one you might want to check out.

After learning of her mother’s death and her father being in a coma, 19-year-old Natalia (Sofia del Tuffo) returns home from a convent to see her sister, Angela (Malena Sanchez). Natalia has had no contact with her family for a-couple-of years, but when she arrives home, she notices that Angela is in an abusive relationship as-well-as addicted to drugs.

A reluctant Natalia joins her sister and friends on spiritual rite conducted by a Peruvian Chaman. It is there where they drink a brew that is supposed to help them. Instead, it takes everyone down a dark path and we learn there is much more to Natalia’s past as-well-as the past of Abel (Pedro Merlo), one of Angela’s troubled friends.

“Luciferina” is not only a story about good vs evil, but it has a strong sexual message as well. I had honestly no idea what direction the narrative was taking me in and of course I like to be surprised. “Luciferina” is not a great film, running at nearly two hours, it does have some pacing issues.  If you are into religious based horror, give this one a look, even if you don’t love, it I am sure you will find plenty to like.

By: Marc Ferman