The Vigil

  • 2021


MOVIE IS religious effective technological compelling soothingly
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49 %
88 % Certified Fresh
$ 1 Million
See Where to Watch The Vigil
Positive Reviews 72
Negative reviews 22
Average Rating 3.3/5
religious effective technological compelling soothingly

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  • Positive
  • Negative
1.9
This sort of paint by numbers horror narrative barely scratches the surface of the heavy issues it alludes to, especially during the above mentioned f .. Rogerebert
4.5
Sure, the motions may be crazy, but theres something hollow about this experience thats less lacking in Miikes best work. Rogerebert
2.0
The Vigil is proof that bible thumping priests and haunted convents cant have all the spooky fun. Indie Wire
4.5
The cultural context adds novelty to an effectively creepy, small scale chiller that does a nice job eking suspense from its simple story and limited .. Variety
3.0
Invoking the Holocaust as genre film prop is dicey territory, something the first X Men film barely got away with. The Vigil pulls it off... The Guardian
3.8
Keith Thomass film hums with uncanny dread, milking the close juxtaposition of living and dead for all its worth.
1.5
What works better is how Thomas transforms Orthodox culture into gory material for a slightly elevated horror flick, with Yakov ultimately turning to .. The Hollywood Reporter
3.5
It dares to look forward, finding a future for Yakov that merges his two identities religious and secular and suggests a path back into the light.
1.5
Keith Thomass slim but effective The Vigil milks terror from a minimalistic setup, relying on the shapes we make out with squinted eyes in the shadows .. The New York Times
4.0
Though familiar, the trick here is utilized with more movement and a well timed jump scare that doesnt make it feel like a direct copy. Paste Magazine
4.5
The other answer, however, isnt one youd expect: The Vigils horror is just as technological as it is supernatural. IGN
4.5
A stylishly made and undeniably effective horror film that may be low fi and relatively gore free, but does not let its relative restraint get in the .. E Film Critic
4.0
Featuring strong performances and excellent effects work, The Vigil is a genuinely creepy debut which explores the ways in which our psychological dem ..
2.5
Theres a neat moment where the films hero puts on a yarmulke and teffilin like hes donning supernatural battle armour, but mostly The Vigil feels like .. The Globe And Mail
3.8
But that doesnt wholly break the spell of The Vigil, a most unusual twist on demonic possession and the benchmark movie for the horror films of 2021. Rogers Movie Nation
2.0
Theres a distinct religious angle to writer/director Keith Thomass picture, but theres just as much pure genre filmmaking in play. Blu Ray
3.8
he film gives an unnerving sense of pain lingering through this life and beyond. Mark Reviews Movies
2.0
Writer/director Keith Thomas takes a common horror scenario, that of the person left alone with a corpse, and gives it a specifically Jewish twist, in ..
2.5
The Vigil lamentably progresses into an increasingly ineffective midsection thats chockablock with cheap jump scares... Reel Film Reviews
1.5
An interesting little movie that makes the most of genuinely small resources and still has an air of dread about it... You Tube
3.0
Keith Thomas, the movies writer director, shows a bit more respect for the storys religious aspects than is often the case in those spine chillers inv .. The Times
4.0
The Orthodox Jewish world has been the backdrop to some fine dramas, from Disobedience to Unorthodox, but the first time director Keith Thomas proves .. The Times
4.0
Atmospheric, well acted and freighted with survivors guilt, this is thoughtful and frightening horror fare. Radio Times
3.0
The likelihood of extreme boredom is high for those who arent comfortable with silence, corpses, or a lack of company. Rolling Stone
4.0
Writer director Keith Thomas skilfully creates an atmosphere of gradually enveloping fear thats packed with powerful observations about regret, inadeq .. Shadows On The Wall
1.5
We get a long, lingering close up on the body under the sheet, and Ill be damned if it doesnt twitch. Decider
3.5
If The Vigil has weighty metaphors to stimulate the brain, it works on other parts of the body as well, namely the spine. Smh
3.0
Race simply isnt an issue in this filtered vision of Thirties and Forties England. Daily Mail
3.8
As a horror movie The Vigil falls qualitatively below a masterpiece like Midsommar but better than dreck like the Pet Sematary remake. Salon
3.0
Its real appeal is the way it shines a spotlight on the practices and challenges of a little seen, somewhat sealed off world, creating a credible back .. Flim List
4.5
Beyond lighting, The Vigil delights in its misdirection, allowing it to be rife with jump scares and stomach inducing imagery. Film Inquiry
4.0
Taking its time to build, the film walks a difficult line between psychological thriller and all out horror but, by and large, does it well. Eye For Film
2.0
An impressive debut by former rabbinical student Keith Thomas, The Vigil taps into Jewish mythology, tragic history and one mans spiritual crisis and .. Boston Herald
4.0
This excellent first feature from novelist turned writer director Keith Thomas is a nifty, textured horror (mostly), thriftily set in one creepy house .. The Irish Times
4.5
He pops an Ativan and makes an emergency call to his therapist, admitting hes hallucinating again. Pajiba
3.8
The basic spooky business involving the menace haunting this home isnt anything spectacular. Movie Freak
4.4
Using religious beliefs and traditions provides it with flavor, yet also with substance. Aisle Seat
3.0
Horror fans could do much worse but one cant help feeling short changed after such a strong first half. Hey U Guys
3.0
The Vigil doesnt break new ground for supernatural horror, exactly; its your basic assortment of unnerving noises, jump scares and musical stings. Now Toronto
3.8
The Vigil, which bills itself as a Jewish horror movie, makes the welcome choice to play with some religious imagery that isnt your standard Christian .. Film Ink
4.5
To balance that act with a truthful core and compelling narrative is rare and special, but that is what The Vigil does. The Stranger
4.0
Writer director Keith Thomas feature debut is a triumph of sustained tension and taut storytelling. Stuff
4.5
The other answer, however, isnt one youd expect: The Vigils horror is just as technological as it is supernatural. Ign
5.0
Go ahead; look up Tefillin after viewing, because if youre not Jewish, youre going to want to know. Movie Crypt
3.0
Whatever the case, theres an enjoyable simplicity here given the low budget, but it doesnt risk taking things too far either. We Live Entertainment
4.0
Thomas uses simple practical effects, boosted by soundtrack thumps, to create the odd jump scare, but what stands out is the sustained mood of dread. .. Straits Times
2.0
Relying on the usual jump scares and the effective scary droning music score, the powerful fright film grabs our attention and holds it throughout. Dennis Schwartz Reviews
3.1
All these elements set us up to anticipate a horrifying film experience that never quite gels... Daily Herald
3.8
No split pea soup spews forth, yet Keith Thomas demonic Jewish horror freak out summons the spectre of The Exorcist and its catastrophic jump scares. Mercury News
4.5
A relatively straightforward horror movie that feels creative and fresh thanks to its grounding in a specific faith tradition. Cbr
1.5
Cannily filters its suspense through the prism of personal and inherited Jewish trauma. The Daily Beast
4.5
BABYTEETH Usually, cancer movies arent just terrible and generic theyre insulting. Concrete Play Ground
2.0
In crafting its scares, The Vigil settles for far too many tropes. Its especially disappointing given the unique and intriguing setup. National Post
4.5
view Jewish history and identity through the prism of genre, The Vigil dramatises the processes by which myth and memory sustain trauma down the gener .. Bfi
2.0
Shulem cant secure a shomer for a five hour stint at a local residence. Original Cin
3.8
The Vigil is a tight and effective horror film that more than entertains... Third Coast Review
4.4
Its a clever introduction, juxtaposing deep, long held traditions of a religion with the characters tender inexperience at life. Sf Examiner
2.0
While its engaging to learn about cultures and their beliefs, something mainstream cinema tends to ignore, The Vigil cant shake the lousy jump scares .. The Only Critic
4.0
A horror film that trades in the supernatural as much as the psychological. Richard Crouse
1.5
Eerie yes, but The Vigil also can feel dull and self conscious in its attempts to both benefit from and avoid standard horror tropes. Denerstein Unleashed Blog ..
3.0
Filled with creative ingenuity and a soothingly subdued energy... The Film Experience
3.0
The Vigil may not exceed many expectations when it comes to horror conventions (you may know whats coming next before it happens), but the films origi .. Screen Zealots
3.5
Its rendered all the more baffling when the perspective lurches back toward Yakov, ending definitively with him. Dread Central
4.0
Its structured like a standard horror movie in the Blumhouse tradition, except that it packs in a couple of millennia worth of Jewish folk mythology. Splice Today
3.0
So even if some plot elements are lost on you, theres a good bit to get the heebie jeebies about regardless. Entertainment Ie
4.4
Thomas steeps the film in the folklore and rituals of Orthodox Judaism, and uses that authenticity to make the scares somehow meaningful. Movie Cricket
3.5
Mrs. Litvak (Lynn Cohen, remarkable as always) doesnt want him there. Maddwolf
3.5
As The Vigil writer/director Keith Thomas quickly reveals, however, religion isnt whats needed. Jaredmobarak
4.5
But pests cant linger around uninvited for long, and trouble starts mounting.
3.5
Director Keith Thomas delivers a modern, innovative spin on classic demonic storytelling, with a deep respect for Jewish culture. The Vigil is this ye .. The Hollywood Outsider
3.8
Jewish roots deliver genuine frights in Keith Thomas debut feature. Scary as hell. Victoria Advocate
2.0
The Vigils a haunted house tale of the mind, where every creak comes from an un sturdy sanity, splintering under foot. Awards Watch
1.5
And thats what happened while I watched The Vigil, even just on a laptop with headphones. Nashville Scene
4.5
As a whole, The Vigil is a must see horror film for fans of the supernatural. But Why Tho? A Geek Commun ..
4.0
There isnt much plot to The Vigil, which is likely an entirely conscious decision. Fanboys of the Universe
3.0
It ultimately ends up being more clich than its premise focused on Judaism may suggest, but theres promise in both its star and director that makes th .. The Hollywood News
4.5
Jewish holidays are, more often than not, a memorial of a near ending. Elements of Madness
3.0
Theres no sense of a wheel being reinvented, but the milieu and the conceit is new and so it certainly gives the dusty old tropes a fresh coat of pain .. VultureHound
4.5
They accomplish so much here with what is clearly a low budget and basically one location. Its terrifying. FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los A ..
4.0
First time feature filmmaker Keith Thomas spooks the stuffing out of his viewers.
2.0
Like Haifaa Al Mansours uninspired biopic Mary Shelley (2017), Nightmare attempts to turn this literary origin story into a sympathetic portrait of th ..
1.5
Though some horror fans will likely find the films emphasis on emotional stakes over scares disappointing, its Yakovs journey that ultimately makes th .. The Pop Break
3.1
The hook, the cultural aspect, the concept, the unsettling imagery and especially the acting elevate The Vigil above being just another modestly budge .. Sound Cloud
1.5
A film thats naturally unsettling doesnt need the garnish, and its a shame The Vigil felt like it couldnt rely on its organic, intellectual terror. This is Film
4.5
The Vigil is an atmospheric horror which immerses itself in religious law and ancient superstition to create an eerily tense film. Backseat Mafia
3.0
Despite its impressive work with its characters, The Vigil stumbles in the execution of its scares.
1.5
Because its undercut by the initial reliance on genre mechanics, The Vigil isnt entirely as singular as it couldve been.
0.5
And yet, Thomas doesnt bring anything particularly novel to the table. Miamiartzine
4.3
The Vigil is a beautiful film about grief that is as powerful as it is frightening.
4.0
Thomas doesnt shy from complicated feelings, how one might honor life altering pasts while moving on for the sake of healing freedoms. WhatToWatch
4.0
There is an eerie creepiness about The Vigil which is both terrifying and impressive in its treatment of folklore and old superstition. Enlightening a .. The Jewish Chronicle
4.5
The Vigil is simply conceived, pretty much limited to one gloomy interior, and reliant on jump scares. Its nothing amazing, yet it is indeed very cree .. 48 Hills
4.5
With its compelling lead and a full embrace of its subject, THE VIGIL succeeds as both a scary movie and a drama of personal struggle. Rue Morgue
2.5
The Vigil thinks shrieking noises and bland jump scares are enough to make a good horror movie. AMovieGuy.com
3.0
Minari is a warm and affectionate tale that serves as an apt salute to the fortitude of family. KKFI-FM (Kansas City)
4.0
We desperately need films that give a perspective of the non Christian way of life and tradition in the horror genre, created by those who live the ex .. View From The Dark
4.0
I was not aware the world needed a Hasidic Jewish horror movie, but it turns out yes, yes it did.
2.5
Life isnt easy for him, as hes having trouble making his way in the secular world.



See Where to Watch The Vigil