When a young boy makes a wish for the thing he wants most in the world, a sinister presence enters his home and torments him, challenging him to survive through the night...
Ezra Dewey in The Djinn / Courtesy of Koch Films
The synopsis
Dylan (Ezra Dewey) and his father (Rob Brownstein) have just moved into a small, cosy apartment. After they unpack a few boxes and have dinner, Dylan’s dad leaves for a double shift at work; leaving his capable son home alone.
Once Dylan is left on his own, he begins to clean up and, in the process, finds a mysterious book in his bedroom closet. Curious, he begins to read and discovers a ritual that promises to grant the reader a wish, something they desire most in this world.
He reads (most of) the ritual, and at the specified time, performs it. Dylan, being mute, wishes for a voice; he wants more than anything to have the ability to speak, but this desire leads to a very, very deadly being chasing him for his soul...
So, what did I think?
When I received an early link to this movie, I couldn’t wait to see what horrors were in store; I am pleased to say that The Djinn did not disappoint.
The first scene set the tone for the movie so well, as a scared Dylan is witness to a horrific event within his old family home. He and his father are close, perhaps more so due to the trauma of loosing Dylan’s mother.
Throughout the film, I had quite a few questions; I wondered what happened to Dylan’s mum, I wondered what The Djinn was once Dylan read the book, and so on. All of my questions were answered before the movie ended, however, showcasing a well-written story laced with intrigue.
Once Dylan performs the ritual and wishes for a voice (as he is mute and cannot speak, but can hear), things get dark very quickly. The Djinn had a feeling of the unknown, and an eerie silence (for the most part) throughout, which worked so well to create that almost terrifying atmosphere.
Within the quiet of the apartment, Dylan’s curiosity grows and, as he notices things going missing within his home, he sees the monster he has summoned.
The book Dylan reads states that the Djinn is part man and part beast in nature, meaning that it can shift from human to creature. This is a very clever way to present a monster of this type, as a man may not be as scary as a demonic entity, but the insinuation that a human can shift into a beast from another realm definitely creates a dense, tense atmosphere; especially when the human form is that of the deceased.
Dylan has nowhere to hide, as he cannot leave the apartment. He is locked in with a Djinn that, after he made his wish, is after his soul. According to the book, he must survive an hour in the presence of this monster, which is easier said than done.
While the generic retro music didn’t fit well within the film as it undercut the eerie tone, the music created for the movie was excellent. Used in the right places and boasting a deep, urgent sound, the music shifted the atmosphere from silent fear to hurried panic, and it worked perfectly.
Furthermore, despite the impressive ambiance the film created, I couldn’t help but feel that the movie needed something extra. While The Djinn didn’t necessarily need more action, I felt something was missing; the horror element could have been amped up a little, as there was much opportunity to speed things up to get my heart beating just a little faster.
Having said this, the film really showed it can do horror well in the aspect of the narrative. I saw the same flashback of the night Dylan’s mother ‘left’, but each time I got more context, and the scene became more meaningful and melancholic, adding this feeling of regret and guilt to Dylan’s character.
He feels that his lack of a voice caused his mother to do what she did, hence his wish. This slow reveal of the truth and Dylan’s shame lets sadness seep into the story, making the final scene or two very deep, meaningful, and terrifying.
The Djinn’s set design was perfect, as there was so many dark spots I thought the creature could hide in, stalking Dylan. Dewey did an outstanding job with his role, as his facial expressions and physical acting was flawless.
Once the film got going, and the quicker-paced scenes arrived, I couldn’t draw my eyes from the screen. I was intrigued, shocked, and impressed by how good this movie looked and how smooth and unique the camerawork was.
The ending hit rather hard, which I did not expect. Dylan’s wish had, as the book warned, caused unexpected and regretful events due to the young boy and his wish to be heard.
The Djinn is a well made, interesting, and truly clever movie. Dewey’s performance was stellar, the set design was amazing, the Djinn was rather horrifying, the narrative was intensely smart, and the ending really hammered home the impact of Dylan’s wish.
The Djinn will be out tomorrow (17th September, 2021)!
Watch the trailer for The Djinn below!
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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