The Soul Eater (Le mangeur d’âmes) is the new supernatural folk horror film from the directors of the French extreme classic, Inside.
Directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo first came on the scene with their unforgiving French shocker, Inside. This was released during the New Wave French Extreme Movement and it left people’s jaws on the floor.
I think Inside was a blessing and a curse at the same time. Sadly, I am one of these people too. I keep comparing their new movies to Inside and I’m usually let down. Why? Because Inside was just one of those movies that hit really hard. But, it was so good that it was always going to be hard to match.
I have enjoyed all of their movies since, and if we stop comparing them all, we can enjoy them for what they are: great little horror gems. Maury & Bustillo are two very important names in the horror genre and I will hear nothing else!
So, as always, I tried to forget about Inside when I started The Soul Eater, but a monkey was banging that pregnant scissor-drum as soon as the opening credits started to roll. Well, folks, I can safely say that The Soul Eater is definitely the duo’s most twisted tale since their directorial debut and you guys are going to love it.
In The Soul Eater, two very different cops are thrown together when both of their cases get connected by the same gruesome murder. Franck and Elisabeth are both sent from two different precincts and are not met with open arms by the locals. Franck is investigating the disappearance of 6 children and Elisabeth is investigating one of the weirdest and most violently graphic murders she has seen in all of her years on the force.
At every step of their investigation, all clues lead back to a local legend; The Soul Eater – a malevolent horned beast capable of turning your loved ones into murderous rage-filled cannibalistic animals. After it takes your loved ones’ souls, it comes for the children and they’re never to be seen again.
The Soul Eater is a gnarly cop procedural drama that doesn’t shy away from the graphic content. Although it does follow some cop drama tropes, there is enough in here to keep you guessing until the very end. And, when that end comes, if you’re like me, you will appreciate the disturbing message this film carries.
You may be able to tell what direction this film will go but it doesn’t make it any less fun getting there. And, I guarantee you that there will be a lot of surprises in here too for you and some awesome and truly unique twists and turns that reminds us why Maury and Bustillo are some of the best names in the horror genre.
It makes me happy to report that fans of Inside will definitely consider The Soul Eater to be the duo’s bloodiest and best entry since their debut in 2007. This is a powerhouse return to true gruesome form.
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