Actually really wanted to like 'I Trapped the Devil'. It looked like it would halfway-creepy. Have a thing for good concepts, and this was one of the better and more interesting concepts for any recently released un-cinematic film. Also do highly appreciate the horror genre of all decades, speaking as somebody who has always tried to be encouraging and balanced with a diverse film/television taste of all genres and decades.

Unfortunately 'I Trapped the Devil' left me very disappointed. Part of me is starting to lose faith in seeing films that immediately grab me with a good or more idea and expecting much, due to having found myself being really let down by far too many wastes of potential in the past year or so. Films/television of all genres, decades and regardless of budget, it is not restricted to just one group. If there is one thing that annoys me to no end when and after watching a film is when it has a lot going for it, or at least one thing, and does very little and many times even nothing with little or any of it.

'I Trapped the Devil' is not without its decent points. The basic set up is quite neat, with the film starting relatively promisingly and the take on the devil was interesting.

The production values look pretty reasonable, the camera work did have atmosphere, the editing was at least coherent and the lighting suitably grim.

Sadly that is pretty much it. The cast mostly phone in, struggling to do anything with very flimsily developed and dull characters and a far too talk heavy script that just rambles with little to it and not going very far. Then there is Scott Poythress, while credit is slightly due for trying to give Steve some motivation somewhat that doesn't stop Poythress from playing the role rather obnoxiously and like he came from another film. The direction is okay on the style but fails to bring up much dread.

Suspense, dread and tension are just not there and the middle act even for a slow burn drags endlessly with very little going on. Have nothing against slow burns as long as there are things that still intrigue or done well and when there is a reason for it, 'I Trapped the Devil' does none of that and that makes it less excusable. When anything goes on, it is very bland and too much of it especially towards the end doesn't make sense. The conclusion is just baffling and not many people after watching the film will not find themselves confused by it.

On the whole, weak. 3/10

I TRAPPED THE DEVIL is a cheap little horror film set in a single house where a crazy guy claims to have trapped the Devil himself in his own basement. The story begins when his family show up for Christmas and what plays out is a kind of battle of wits between the different characters, although I use the term "battle" very loosely as there's no excitement, suspense or interest present here. Inevitably as a modern horror flick it has its share of gory moments, but the attempts at creating fear are laughably inept and the whole thing feels like a non-starter.

Matt (AJ Bowen) and Karen (Susan Burke) stop in over the holidays unannounced to visit his brother Steve (Scott Poythress). Steve is not overjoyed to see them and is a bit nervous with the phone constantly ringing. Steve claims he has the devil, in the form of a human, locked up in his basement. For the first hour, Matt and Karen remain unconvinced.

This is a low budget film. Not much on special effects or an ending. Bored for most of the feature.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.