Devil's Child

In its superior first hour, Joshua, the narrative-feature debut of Hell House director George Ratliff, uses this charged, anxious period to create an atmosphere of unbearably raw tension.

A horror film set around an evil child is a time-honored cinematic tradition. Joshua will bring to mind The Bad Seed, The Shining and The Exorcist.

...the film’s fundamental narrative is more wearying than horrifying.

...the result is so much dark and doomed fun I forgave its couple leaps of logic. And ultimately, it made me glad I decided never to become a parent.