The Vigil

Name: The Vigil
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Released: February 26, 2021
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Dave Randolph-Mayhem Davis, Dun Laskey, Efraim Miller, Fred Melamed, Hershy Fishman

2021

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Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: February 26, 2021 | PG-13

Starring: Dave Randolph-Mayhem Davis, Dun Laskey, Efraim Miller, Fred Melamed, Hershy Fishman, Lea Kalisch, Les Gardonyi, Lynn Cohen, Malky Goldman, Menashe Lustig, Moshe Lobel, Nati Rabinowitz, Ronald Cohen, Spencer Zender

Summary: Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante to take on theSteeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante to take on the responsibility of an overnight "shomer," fulfilling the Jewish practice of watching over the body of a deceased community member. Shortly after arriving at the recently departed's dilapidated house to sit the vigil, Yakov begins to realize that something is very, very wrong. … Expand

Director: Keith Thomas

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

Siddhant Adlakha

Mar 2, 2021

Intense and atmospheric, Keith Thomas’ The Vigil invigorates demonic horror by centering on Jewish traditions, especially those concerning death. Part haunted house, part tech thriller, and entirely grounded by Dave Davis’ harrowing performance, the film never loses sight of questions of cultural identity, and the ways it intersects with personal and collective trauma. Read full review

Empire Nikki Baughan

Jul 28, 2020

Featuring strong performances and excellent effects work, The Vigil is a genuinely creepy debut which explores the ways in which our psychological demons can get their claws into our entire lives. Read full review

Mary Beth McAndrews

Feb 23, 2021

The Vigil hopefully marks a trend where Catholicism no longer reigns supreme in the world of horror and filmmakers of all creeds can continue to play with decades of generic expectations. Read full review

Keith Watson

Feb 22, 2021

Keith Thomas’s film hums with uncanny dread, milking the close juxtaposition of living and dead for all its worth. Read full review

Jordan Mintzer

Aug 18, 2020

Thomas keeps the tension high throughout most of the movie, even if some of his scare tactics can feel redundant. Read full review

Barry Hertz

Feb 12, 2020

In writer-director Keith Thomas’s bid to add a layer of thematic novelty to a familiar genre, he has come up with a mish-mash that will satisfy only those with extremely acquired tastes. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

Feb 26, 2021

What makes The Vigil so frustrating is that it feels like a product and not a reflection of its subject’s identity crisis. Read full review

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User Reviews

Flekoun

Apr 12, 2021

A very good horror film that had a pretty decent atmosphere and was definitely not boring. for those who like horror movies with a paranormal theme, I definitely recommend watching this film.

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JLau

Aug 23, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Jewish guy suffering from PTSD, a crisis of faith and a poor bank balance takes a job as a shomer but has to deal with a Russian ghosty thing called a Mazzik and burnts its face rather quickly.… Expand

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