When Evil Lurks
Performance & Direction: When Evil Lurks Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is When Evil Lurks (2023) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and When Evil Lurks features a noteworthy lineup led by Ezequiel Rodríguez . Supported by the likes of Demián Salomón and Silvina Sabater , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: When Evil Lurks
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2023, When Evil Lurks is a Horror, Thriller film directed by Demián Rugna. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ezequiel Rodríguez.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. Residents of a small rural town discover that a demon is about to be born among them. They desperately try to escape before the evil is born, but it may be too late. Director Demián Rugna uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Ezequiel Rodríguez's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: When Evil Lurks
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Demián Rugna, When Evil Lurks resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Ezequiel Rodríguez, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of When Evil Lurks reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch When Evil Lurks?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Ezequiel Rodríguez or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: When Evil Lurks
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $2.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: When Evil Lurks
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Where to Watch When Evil Lurks Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsWhen Evil Lurks Parents Guide & Age Rating
2023 AdvisoryWondering about When Evil Lurks age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of When Evil Lurks is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, When Evil Lurks is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2023 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is When Evil Lurks worth watching?
When Evil Lurks is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find When Evil Lurks parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for When Evil Lurks identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of When Evil Lurks?
The total duration of When Evil Lurks is 100 minutes, which is approximately 1h 40m long.
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Critic Reviews for When Evil Lurks
I can see what When Evil Lurks is trying to achieve. Its an alternate take on reality, a horror infused, supernatural world, where demonic possession is an accepted occurrence. Its done convincingly, with an everyday vibe, where a possession event is akin to a serious crime or perhaps, a natural disaster. The problem is, the treatment is deeply, violently disturbing, to the point where you start to ask if this is, in fact, adding value as a creative work? Its a subjective point but I found this one too brutal and shocking, for me to really say I found it compelling. I think too, a more subtle approach could have been taken, with better results in terms of watch-ability. In summary, makes the outlandishly otherworldly everyday, in a convincing manner but the delivery is on the heavy handed side of horror, to say the least.
Really hits with the catholic horror hard. Fades, though. There's only so many demons before they don't matter. Really enjoyable for an hour...some people to chat with for the last leg of slaying would be ideal.
In the film "When Evil Lurks," I approached it with reservations, unsure of what to expect. The entire movie is presented in Spanish with subtitles, allowing me to follow the storyline. It unfolds as a Spanish take on the exorcism theme, reminiscent of "The Exorcist." However, instead of an exorcism, the focus is on Satan possessing bodies, moving from one to another after each host's death, always transferring to the person responsible for the previous death. The film's execution left much to be desired, lacking a coherent script and veering off in multiple directions. The actors did their best with the material provided, but the disjointed narrative made it challenging to anticipate the next plot development. A concerning moment arises when a child appears on screen completely naked, a gratuitous and unnecessary inclusion that crosses a line. Such a scene is unwarranted and inappropriate, detracting from the viewing experience and raising ethical concerns. Overall, "When Evil Lurks" fails to deliver a compelling and cohesive story, marred by questionable choices and a lack of narrative clarity. This misstep, especially involving a child actor, overshadows any potential the film may have had.
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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