The Devil's Doorway
The Devil's Doorway is a 2018 found footage horror film directed by Aislinn Clarke and co-written with Martin Brennan and Michael B. Jackson.In October 1960, a Vatican bishop, having received a letter and two photographs, instructed two priests to visit a Magdalene Asylum in Ireland, where a statue of the Virgin Mary is said to be bleeding from the eyes in the chapel.To begin the work of documenting the alleged miracle, Father John sets up his film crew (16 mm cameras) in the chapel where the statue reported to have wept blood is located.The nun warns Father Thomas that there is a young pregnant woman named Kathleen O'Brien being held in a secret room in the basement, and recites, "If your eye makes you sin, pluck it out and throw it away".Father Thomas intervenes and in attempting the ritual exorcism, Kathleen levitates from her bed and her hand also bursts into flames during another instance of supernatural activity.The sort of all-encompassing focus that helps you work through so many consecutive hours, with little-to-no sleep, and leading a team of a dozens of people is an intense feeling.[5] Anya Stanley wrote in her review: "What sets The Devil's Doorway apart is its indictment of systematic Church atrocities, of the sins of a nation's past coming back to torment them, personified in the violated body of an innocent girl and her unborn, unwanted child.[6] Shannon McGrew wrote "...Aislinn Clarke does a brilliant job of crafting a taunt horror film from the perspective of Father John.I’ll be honest, I knew nothing of these Laundries prior to watching the film and am now horrified by the treatments that were allowed to be executed by these nuns with the support of the Roman Catholic Church."[7] Tracy Palmer wrote; "The real history of the film serves the story well as the concept itself for the homes and the facts that have emerged are the stuff of nightmares.[8] Eva Tushnet in the Jesuit journal America praised the film's atmosphere, writing: "What is so awful about a place like this one is its institutional power, its inescapable control of every vista, the sheer weight it brings to bear on the girls caught within it.In a way this entire film, made by a woman raised Catholic but no longer a believer, is an attempt to give blessing and burial to the real women who died without acknowledgment of their suffering.[10] Jason Best wrote in a review: "Pulsing with indignation at clerical hypocrisy, director Aislinn Clarke's film won't convert any found-footage sceptics, but it is a distinct cut above the low-budget genre's usual fare thanks to its careful craft and strong performances, particularly Roddy's."[14] Marisa Mirabal wrote in her review: "Clarke shines light on a malignant history through captivating storytelling that appears to be seasoned instead of the work of a first-time director.The horror genre is blessed to welcome another innovative female director who is telling stories and rebelling against the traditional gaze–pushing the envelope and experimenting in true artistic fashion."[15] Kat Hughes wrote in her review: "An inspired entry into the found footage genre with The Devil's Doorway, Clarke proves that you don't have to stick to digital to achieve greatness."[16] By contrast, Noel Murray in The LA Times argued that the film through innovative in some respects and well acted was heavily clichéd and ultimately unimaginative.[17] Frank Scheck wrote: "The well documented infamies of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries would seem to hold diabolically effective potential for a horror film.However, its exploration of Ireland's dark history helps it stand out from the pack, and it's just the latest example of women directors making headway in the horror genre".