THE VIGIL (Keith Thomas 2019)

KEITH THOMAS: THE VIGIL (2019)

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STILL FROM THE VIGIL

A Jewish horror film

Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is a 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 (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante (Menashe Lustig) 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 dwelling, Yakov enters into a world of trouble.

Recommended for fans of offbeat and very well researched horror films.

The Vigil, 89 mins., debuted at Toronto Sept 2029, also at Fantasy Filmfest (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Nuremberg). Released in the US by IFC Midnight it opens in some theaters and on digital platforms Feb. 26, 2021. Metascore: 68%.