Samara Weaving blew up on the scene when she was the lead of the horror-tinged action flick Ready or Not. She’s claiming her spot as the hybrid scream queen/action heroine with Azrael, a midnight movie that has plenty of great action and effects, carrying it through a thin premise that wouldn’t be particularly entertaining were it not for these excellent technical elements.
In the movie, Samara Weaving plays a woman who is on the run from a religious cult that wants to sacrifice her to an ancient deity in the woods. What makes Azrael stand out is that it is set in a world where no one speaks. It’s the latest in a string of dialogue-free genre films (after No One Will Save You and Silent Night), and while it justifies the gimmick better than most in the past, it doesn’t always work.
The highlight of Azrael, without a doubt, is its effects. The fight scenes and gore effects are some of the greatest you will see in any genre flick this year. It’s brutal, with a visceral impact that had the audience groaning (or cheering, when appropriate). The rest of the visuals aren’t as effective; the world itself is somewhat nondescript, and some of the motifs are a bit questionable.
Azrael has incredible special effects but is dragged down by pacing issues
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Azrael, though, is that for such a violent movie, it’s actually somewhat boring. Four or five scenes are really awesome and stand out, but the film struggles to connect these epic moments with its narrative threads. Honestly, the movie peaks in its first 20 minutes and isn’t able to ever reach those heights again.
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The film’s lack of dialogue hurts it in the substance department. This premise has a lot of potential to explore themes of indoctrination, and some of the title cards insinuate these themes. Unfortunately, Azrael instead gives us generic religious symbolism that creates a very familiar and straightforward experience.
However, any semblance of meaning the movie attempts is undermined by character motivations that are frustratingly underdeveloped. Simply fighting to survive would have been enough to make the film work, but it attempts to work in relationships and backstories without the type of exposition or conversation that would be necessary to convey these dynamics.
Still, the level to which the cast remains committed to the bit is nothing short of admirable. Weaving has already proven herself, but in this role, she shows just how much of a screen presence she has — as she commands viewers’ attention despite not having a single line. The supporting cast is also solid, with an astounding level of physicality.
Azrael is carried by its incredible effects and a charismatic, gripping performance from its lead Samara Weaving. Although the movie is incredibly flawed — particularly when it comes to its writing — there is so much working in its favor in its craftsmanship that you have to at least acknowledge it as an effective exercise.
Azrael screened at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, which runs March 8-16 in Austin, TX.
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Rating: 6/10
