Almost two weeks ago I recommended a movie I hadn’t seen yet based on the recommendations of two men whose opinions I respect — John Zmirak and Eric Metaxas. The movie was Nefarious, and I saw it in the theater last night with my daughter.

Going into it my expectations were set by Zmirak’s review, which praised the “powerful performances, skillful camera work, intuitive direction … and a script that’s simply brilliant.” Except for one or two moments during the film, that description was accurate.

The setting — a maximum security prison — is spare, but it works because this isn’t an action movie. The film is driven completely by dialogue that is at once believable and tautly delivered. The story relies on the verbal dueling between the main characters rather than car chases, over-the-top jump scares or gory violence to keep you riveted to the screen. (There are a couple of disturbing scenes, but don’t let the “R” rating dissuade you from seeing it; I think that rating was a political decision, because I’ve seen worse in PG-13 movies.)

Sean Patrick Flanery delivers a powerful performance as Edward, the prison inmate scheduled to be executed at 11:00 PM that evening. His character has to transition between the man himself and the entity that now “owns” him, which Flanery does with subtle — and sometimes chilling — effect.

Jordan Belfi plays Dr. James Martin, a court-ordered psychiatrist called to evaluate whether Edward is mentally fit to be executed. He’s a smart, worldly, mid-thirties atheist who is confident in his ability to see through whatever mind games Edward is playing, but whose self-confidence slowly evaporates over the course of the film.

The story confronts the viewer with a question: are demons behind the destruction that we see in the world, or is it all simply a natural order operating without any unseen interference? The film, of course, implies that there is evil at work in our world — and not just “evil,” but a personal evil. It also suggests that cultural or political issues we face in our society — like abortion or mass murders — are driven by evil spiritual forces.

Christians will agree theologically with the movie’s premise, based on the biblical declaration that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). They may, however, wonder if the depiction of a demonic presence as expressed through Edward is something that comports with reality. I’ve never encountered anything quite like it, but I’m not willing to say it doesn’t happen. On the other hand, atheists and agnostics may not be convinced by the portrayal of evil in the film, but it may give them pause to reconsider.

The only real complaint I have (besides the dialogue briefly getting preachy at a couple of points), is what amounts to an unnecessary epilogue. “One year later,” we’re told, Dr. James Martin appears on conservative Glenn Beck’s Blaze TV show to promote his new book (the real life book A Nefarious Plot by New York Times bestselling author Steve Deace, also a host on Blaze TV). Beck’s cameo is the only moment that felt disjointed in the movie, although the fake book promotion does flow from the story’s narrative arc.

Beck is a controversial and polarizing figure, even among conservatives. Did the directors think he appeals to Christians in particular? What about non-believers who watch the movie — would Beck’s appearance ruin the movie for them? It actually disrupted the movie for me because the story did what good stories do: draw you in while suspending your disbelief. The appearance of Beck broke that suspension because I was suddenly thrust back into “reality.”

Apart from that moment, I would encourage you to go see it if you haven’t. It’s a well done psychological thriller with a mature take on spiritual warfare. It will challenge your understanding of spiritual influence and, if you let it, be a great conversation starter among your believing or undecided friends.

You can go here to find times and locations where it’s still showing.