By Jay of the Dead

I have gained a little notoriety for suggesting the notion that I could handily dispatch the nefarious ankle-biters that play the “monsters” of Evil Kid Movies. My good friend, Dave “Dr. Shock” Becker, has often retorted and rebuffed my claims by arguing that evil kids catch their parents unawares, due to a presumption of innocence and harmlessness. (But I don’t care. I still watch my wily offspring with at least one suspicious eye, if not two.)

Dr. Shock’s assertion proves to be correct in “The Prodigy,” an ostensible Evil Kid Movie that was released in theaters on Feb. 8, 2019 (with a respectable, nine-week run, by the way), and then was released on video and at Redbox yesterday, May 7, 2019.

“The Prodigy” was directed by Nicholas McCarthy, a Horror director who also helmed “The Pact” (2012), “At the Devil’s Door” (2014) and the “Easter” segment of “Holidays” (2016). This film was written by Jeff Buhler, who wrote “Insanitarium” (2008), “The Midnight Meat Train” (2008), the “J Is for Jesus” segment of “ABCs of Death 2” (2014) and the most recent “Pet Sematary” (2019) remake.

I’ll tread lightly as I write this — as not to reveal too much about this film or its comparison films — but “The Prodigy” would be most accurately described as “Child’s Play” meets “Orphan.” Here’s the premise: Two parents grow concerned that their son’s disturbing behavior might be the influence of a malevolent supernatural presence. It might have also been called “We Need to Talk About Miles.” I would classify “The Prodigy” as an Evil Kid / Supernatural / Mystery.

“The Prodigy” stars the young Jackson Robert Scott as the troubled and dangerous Miles Blume. His parents are played by Taylor Schilling and Peter Mooney. And the “outside expert opinion” helper character is played by Colm Feore, whom you will remember from “Storm of the Century” (1999) as the dark drifter who promises to go away if the townspeople will merely give him what he wants. Oh, and Brittany Allen also has a small but important role. You may have recently seen her in “It Stains the Sands Red” (2016) and “What Keeps You Alive” (2018).

Even though Jackson Robert Scott is a cute kid (even when he’s decked out Johnny Lawrence / Cobra Kai Halloween skeleton crew-style), the filmmakers still manage to make him creepy. Much of the film feels like standard supernatural Horror fare, but there are a couple of wince-worthy, cringe-inducing moments of note.

What strikes me most about films like “The Prodigy” and “Orphan” is how the filmmakers go to dark places that you wouldn’t expect, places that seem to be very taboo and boundary-pushing. But then as the film unfolds its revelations, you learn that technically they didn’t actually “go there.” No, not technically. Still, we visually witnessed a depiction of the taboo and forbidden.

As noted in my premise, this kid, Miles, seems to be under the influence of a malevolent supernatural presence. But what intrigues me — and my point is — who cares? Regardless of whether the kid was actually the one responsible for those terrible acts, we are still watching depictions of what appears to be that kid doing those terrible acts!

This isn’t new, though. “The Exorcist” (1973) shocked audiences in a similar manner: Even though Regan is possessed and overtaken by an evil being, we are nonetheless witnessing what appears to be a little girl saying and doing those unthinkably vulgar and blasphemous things.

In this way, the filmmakers play a “Get Out of Jail Free” card and don’t have to shoulder any moral burdens in their storytelling. We, the audience, aren’t so lucky. Until it is revealed that what we’re watching isn’t really what it seems, we are stomaching depictions of children doing evil and violent acts.

While “The Prodigy” is mostly a familiar supernatural Horror, I would still submit that the film looks great, has solid performances, and it broaches some very dark material pertaining to the evil depths that humanity can sink to. Therefore, I rate “The Prodigy” a 6.5 out of 10, and I think it’s worth an Amazon or Redbox rental.

Rating and Recommendation:
The Prodigy (2019)
Jason = 6.5 ( Rental )

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