The Devil’s Left Hand Review: Atmospheric & Spooky!

The Devil’s Left Hand brings together elements of horror, mystery, and thriller under the direction of Harley Wallen. With a runtime of just under 100 minutes, the film sets the stage at what should be a joyous occasion — a housewarming party thrown by a young couple eager to celebrate their new beginning. But as the night unfolds, it becomes clear that something far darker has slipped through the cracks of their festivities.

Featuring a cast that includes Laurene Landon, Yan Birch, Harley Wallen himself, Kaiti Wallen, and Aphrodite Nikolovski, the film draws us into a tight knit ensemble facing supernatural forces beyond their comprehension.

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The plot wastes little time diving into its central menace: during the housewarming, a demonic entity breaches the veil between worlds and takes possession of a medium present at the gathering. What begins as eerie disturbances quickly escalates into full-blown chaos, leaving the guests terrified and scrambling for answers. But the true nightmare begins after the party.

The demon doesn’t stay confined to the house; it follows the attendees, stalking them one by one. Even worse, it possesses a chilling power — shape-shifting — which means no one knows who they can trust. As paranoia takes hold and the body count rises, the guests are forced to band together, but their desperation is undercut by the nagging fear that any one of them could already be under the demon’s control.

One of the film’s standout aspects is just how technically polished it is, especially for an indie production. Harley Wallen proves once again that he’s one of the few independent filmmakers who refuses to cut corners when it comes to craft. For a horror film, sound design and mixing can make or break the tension, and here they genuinely add a layer of dread that pulls you deeper into the atmosphere.

The cinematography is solid, with competent shot composition that knows when to frame a scare tightly or pull back for maximum unease. There’s a professionalism here that many indie horror projects struggle to achieve, and Wallen’s commitment to delivering a well-made film is one of the movie’s most notable strengths.

That said, The Devil’s Left Hand does stumble when it comes to its script and performances. The dialogue often feels flat, and the acting, while earnest, doesn’t always rise to the occasion. Some moments that should have been emotionally charged or terrifying fall a bit short because the delivery doesn’t fully land. Still, the core story offers enough intrigue,  If you can set aside the rough edges, the film delivers a story that’s entertaining enough.

Importantly, it hits the essential horror beats. While the characters aren’t particularly deep or fleshed out, the film gives you just enough to follow the stakes and stay invested. One refreshing twist is its portrayal of the mediums.

Instead of the usual all-knowing, wise spiritual figures you often see in horror, these mediums are confused and scrambling, which adds a layer of realism and unpredictability. Overall, The Devil’s Left Hand offers a decent indie horror narrative that’s worth a watch if you’re craving something spooky, even if it’s not flawless.

‘The Devil’s Left Hand’ Rating – 3.25/5

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