11-11-11 is a harrowing theological masterpiece in the spirit of a Constantine or an Exorcist or an Omen themed film. Though not quite as blatantly horrifying as Insidious, 11-11-11 is more of a psychological thriller. A wildly prolific author (Timothy Gibbs as Joseph Crone) has suffered the ultimate backlash for his contributions to literature. A crazed madman became obsessed with his novels and set fire to his home. Inside were his wife and child, both of whom burned to death. In the aftermath of this sickening tragedy, Joseph has heeded the advice of his estranged brother (Michael Landes as Samuel Crone) by deciding to fly to Barcelona, Spain to preside over the death of his moribund father.
Even before leaving for Spain, Joseph begins noticing alarming paradigms. Always at 11:11 AM or PM, or on the day 11/11, insidious occurrences take place. Once in Barcelona, Joseph reluctantly accepts his brother Samuel's invitation to stay in his compound. Inside is his dying father that is something of a spooky somnambulist, and Samuel's bewitched caretaker Anna (Angela Rosal). Anna has visions of demons and has captured what appears to be apparitions on video tape. Normally, Joseph would dismiss all mention of the theological, but lately certain happenstances have begun raising his extrasensory perspicacity.
Samuel is something of a firebrand preacher in his own right, which is quite the antithesis of his atheistic brother. Vowing to give his mother's life meaning, Samuel embraces sin and rejects trying to presume the authority to judge people and influence their behavior. His larger concern is connecting his followers with a higher power. The discourse between the two brothers is rather intellectually stimulative.
Joseph becomes spooked by his noctambulist father, by whispers in the dark, by his brother's guardian's paranoia, and by some rather frightening stimuli. This causes him to rationalize the events that are unfolding as the calendar day, month and year of 11-11-11 approaches. Perhaps coincidentally, that is his brother's birthday.
11-11-11 gave me goose bumps and caused me to seek company within seconds of watching it. Rarely does anything frighten me which is how I know this film is a resounding success. Michael Landes and Timothy Gibbs are nearly perfect as a pairing. The film's dialogue is intelligent, the plot is eerily believable, and the special effects are just real enough to be naturally fear-provoking. 11-11-11 is a theologically driven movie you will not want to miss.
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