Renaissance Media Film Review - The Prodigy

Where do our souls go after we die? Is there empty nothingness? Do they go up to heaven, or could they return to earth inhabiting another being? The possibility of reincarnation is the version that is explored in The Prodigy. Serial killer Edward Scarka (Paul Fauteux) is tracked down, surrounded and killed in the middle of the night in Ohio. Just after his death in Pennsylvania Sarah (Orange is the new black's Taylor Schilling) and her husband John (Peter Mooney) welcome Miles into the world their newborn son who has red droplets of blood in the same locations as where the bullets pierced Scarka's body.

Miles development is advanced landing in a gifted school where violent behaviour begins. The family reaches out to reincarnation specialist Dr. Arthur Jacobson (Colm Feore) who fills in a lot of the plot points on the subject concluding that Miles and the serial killers' soul are battling and now that he is eight Scarka could gain total control.

Director Nicholas McCarthy alongside writer Jeff Buhler bring a fresh spin on the demonic child to the screen. There is no ancient spirit throwing slime at a priest who battles back with holy water. Instead, a sadistic ritualistic killer is battling for Miles body refusing to leave the earth until he can complete one piece of unfinished business. Joseph Bishara's score also helps to build the tension and the adults are smartly written avoiding seeming to do what a reasonable person would at each step of the progression.

Taylor Schilling leads the cast at Sarah. At first, she will not believe that there is anything wrong with her gifted child but as the evidence mounts, she takes actions drifting towards the extreme in order to save her son. Peter Blume is the level headed dad John. He is first to realize that they can't handle Miles on their own at home taking steps to get him professional help. Jackson Robert Scott is effective as Miles. Working well with Paul Fautex mimicking Scarka's mannerism and playing his part in the smooth transitions in control between the two especially in one hallway scene that is the early leader for the most frightening scene of the year.

The Prodigy is an original entry into the possessed child horror genre.  Reincarnation is the vehicle here following a serial killer's soul jump to a newborn biding its time as the child develops to the point that he can use this new body to complete one final task. The team of actors does not make a wrong step with the project. While the film does suffer from some issues with pacing there is enough meat here to keep the audience engaged for its full 92 minutes.

*** Out of 4.

The Prodigy | Nicholas McCarthy | Hong Kong / USA | 2019 | 92 Minutes.

Tags: Reincarnation, Serial Killer, Ritual, Calling Card, Survivor, Pregnancy, Child Birth, Manipulation, Hypnosis, Babysitter, Pipe Wrench, Garden Shears