Nefarious (2023)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A psychiatrist must determine if a death row inmate's behavior is a result of mental illness or a literal demonic possession.
The story
At a state penitentiary, psychiatrist Dr. James Martin arrives to evaluate a notorious serial killer named Edward Wayne Brady, who is currently a death-row inmate. The prison Warden Tom Moss warns Dr. Martin that Edward is an expert manipulator who can "get inside your head." Edward is scheduled to be put to death by electrocution at 11:00 that night, and Dr. Martin is tasked with determining whether the killer is legally sane or if he is mentally ill and incompetent of the crimes he has committed. Moss hopes that Dr. Martin will disagree with the previous doctor who was ready to declare Edward insane.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Dr. James Martin evaluates death-row inmate Edward Wayne Brady. Edward claims to be possessed by a demon named Nefariamus. During their sessions, the demon reveals personal details about Dr. Martin's life, including his mother's death and his girlfriend's current situation. The demon offers Dr. Martin a chance to publish a 'Satanic book' in exchange for his soul. After a confrontation where the prisoner escapes his cuffs and strangles the doctor, Dr. Martin is forced to declare the prisoner sane for execution. During the execution, the demon takes control of Edward's body to mock the doctor. After the execution, the demon possesses Dr. Martin. One year later, Dr. Martin appears on television to promote a book about his experience, while the demon, now in the form of a homeless woman, confronts him. The film ends with a post-credits sequence where the demon speaks in Aramaic and Latin, stating it is to be continued.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 97
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Cary Solomon; Chuck Konzelman
- Writers
- Cary Solomon · writer; Chuck Konzelman · writer
- Cast and characters
- Sean Patrick Flanery · Edward Wayne Brady; Jordan Belfi · Dr. James Martin; Tom Ohmer · Tom Moss; Glenn Beck · not specified
- Genres
- horror; thriller
- Themes
- spiritual warfare; faith; possession
- Tone and mood
- suspenseful; provocative
- Setting
- A state penitentiary and a television studio.
- Premise and plot tags
- psychiatry; serial killer; supernatural
- Source material / true-story basis
- Steve Deace's 2016 novel A Nefarious Plot
- Franchise connections
- A Nefarious Plot
- Reception
- The film received mixed but generally positive reviews from critics and audiences, with some praising its unique take on faith-based horror and others criticizing its lack of subtlety.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A+ to F; PostTrak · score: 69% · scale: percent positive
- Awards and nominations
- Best Independent Trailer · Golden Trailer Awards · 2023 · nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was described as a cross between 'The Screwtape Letters' and 'Silence of the Lambs'.; A Catholic priest was present on set and performed an exorcism during production.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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