{"id":2,"date":"2025-04-23T12:02:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T12:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/divination-movie.com\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-04-24T06:50:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T06:50:30","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Divination (2012) \u2013 Faith vs. Fear in a Gritty Indie Thriller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/7fJCmHvZZxVuy3LCKWbzvZZ1sz8-683x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/7fJCmHvZZxVuy3LCKWbzvZZ1sz8-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/7fJCmHvZZxVuy3LCKWbzvZZ1sz8-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/7fJCmHvZZxVuy3LCKWbzvZZ1sz8-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/7fJCmHvZZxVuy3LCKWbzvZZ1sz8-1024x1536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/7fJCmHvZZxVuy3LCKWbzvZZ1sz8.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Divination<\/em> wastes no time throwing viewers into \u201cpure spiritual warfare\u201d\u200b. This 2012 faith-based indie thriller was a passion project for writer-director Ben Pohl (a Minneapolis filmmaker) under the Deskpop Entertainment banner\u200b. In it, supernatural forces literally clash in a suburban home: Jason (D\u2019Angelo Midili) and his wife Jessica (Natasha Sims) are overjoyed by their first pregnancy and the <strong>uncanny return<\/strong> of their mysterious friend Dee (Lisa Coronado). But behind this happy moment lurks a violent battle of good vs. evil. As Deskpop\u2019s official synopsis puts it, <em>\u201cJason is tormented by Fear (Tucker Boggio)\u2026 as he descends deeper into madness an intervention is made by the powerful angel Joshua (Philipp Aurand) and his eager assistant Daniel\u201d<\/em>\u200b. The film premiered on the Christian film festival circuit around 2011 and only saw a DVD release in October 2015. FishFlix\u2019s write-up calls it a \u201cgripping thriller\u201d in the style of Frank Peretti\u2019s <em>This Present Darkness<\/em> series \u2013 indeed, <em>Divination<\/em> wears its spiritual-warrior intent on its sleeve and was even marketed with a \u201cFaith-Based\u201d seal by the Dove Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Plot and Themes<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>At its core <em>Divination<\/em> is an explicit <strong>good-vs-evil<\/strong> parable. Jason\u2019s ability to see angels and demons \u2013 a gift he inherited from his father \u2013 becomes a curse during the film. He suffers waking nightmares as a demon named <strong>Fear<\/strong> whispers dark premonitions, threatening his wife and unborn child. The couple\u2019s joy turns to terror when their old friend Dee returns under strange circumstances. As one Spanish synopsis puts it, \u201cJason\u2026 feliz con su primer embarazo\u2026 pero Jason est\u00e1 atormentado por el miedo que continuamente susurra pesadillas\u2026 el poderoso \u00e1ngel Josu\u00e9 y su asistente Daniel intervienen\u201d\u200b. In other words, Jason\u2019s descent into paranoia draws the direct intervention of celestial warriors. A Romanian summary similarly notes that Fear drives Jason \u201cinto nightmares and hallucinations,\u201d eventually prompting the angel Joshua (and assistant Daniel) to intervene\u200b. Along the way the film emphasizes Biblical-style lessons: free will is paramount (one blogger observes that <strong>if a person \u201callows a demon to enter his life, the angels are powerless\u201d<\/strong> to save him\u200b, and occult practices (Dee\u2019s \u201cspirit guide\u201d and blood-rituals) are portrayed as dangerous temptations. Family and faith are at stake: Jason\u2019s father actually committed suicide under Fear\u2019s influence, a detail that Jessica discovers late in the film (the Dove review notes she fears Jason is \u201closing his mind\u2026 especially when she learns Jason\u2019s father committed suicide\u201d\u200b). In short, <em>Divination<\/em> is unabashedly religious in theme: demons literally fight angels in Jason\u2019s living room. (Even reviewers remark on the <strong>Christian mythology<\/strong>: one Letterboxd user quips the film is \u201csteeped in Christian Mythos,\u201d where \u201cwitchcraft and Divination\u2026 are portrayed as evil\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Divination Trailer\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E1E8UhvZ7oM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Performances and Cinematography<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The cast were mostly newcomers, and it shows. Critics note the <strong>acting is uneven<\/strong> \u2013 often wooden \u2013 which is unsurprising on a micro-budget. As one Amazon reviewer observes, <em>\u201cthe budget was relatively small\u2026 and the actors didn\u2019t have a ton of experience\u201d<\/em>\u200b. Some performances are earnest, others stiff; one viewer notes some cast members \u201cdid quite well\u2026 however some\u2026 sounded as though they were reading the script for the first time\u201d\u200b. On the plus side, many fans give credit to the film\u2019s passion and effort. One fan review awarded 5 stars specifically for \u201ceffort,\u201d praising the lighting and choreography: <em>\u201cA+ on all of those\u201d<\/em> aspects\u200b. For example, a night-forest sequence drew particular notice \u2013 an Amazon reviewer points out that <strong>\u201cthe lighting actually works well\u201d<\/strong> in that shot, a feat for a film this cheap\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visually, <em>Divination<\/em> is a mixed bag. The filmmakers clearly invested in CGI and effects (Deckpop\u2019s description even boasts \u201cmadness meets magic\u201d)\u200b, and several viewers were amused by the <strong>over-the-top special effects<\/strong> on display. One Letterboxd user jokes that the movie &#8220;bought a pack of stock CG effects and by god they are going to use all of them&#8221;\u200b \u2013 a comment that captures the low-budget charm (rain of eyeballs and gun-blasts of light are used liberally). Another reviewer praises the \u201cimpressive\u201d demon-on-angel fights\u200b. However, other critics are scathing about the technical side. A scathing blog review calls the production \u201ca mess\u201d with <em>\u201cshaky camera work,\u201d \u201cinconsistent audio,\u201d \u201cpoor lighting,\u201d<\/em> and \u201ctons of terrible special effects\u201d\u200b. In short, the cinematography alternates between genuinely creative (surprisingly moody or well-framed) and amateurish (evidence of DSLR wiggles and CG seams). Overall, it\u2019s <strong>polarizing<\/strong>: if you go in expecting a polished supernatural thriller, you\u2019ll be let down; if you embrace it as earnest B-movie fodder, some scenes are energetic and lean into the schlockiness.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Divination-DAngelo-Midili\/dp\/B00D3ZJEV0#:~:text=to%20compare%20the%20fight%20scenes,to%20know%20what%20you%27re%20doing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Critical and Audience Reception<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Divination<\/em> flew under the radar of mainstream critics \u2013 Rotten Tomatoes lists <strong>0 critic reviews<\/strong> \u2013 but audience reactions are on record. The scores are middling at best. For example, IMDb shows a <strong>4.0\/10<\/strong> user rating (from ~360 votes)\u200b. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 53% \u201cPopcorn\u201d audience score\u200b (with no Tomatometer score at all). On genre sites, it\u2019s similarly mixed: Cine.com (a Spanish film site) lists an average user score of about <strong>4.1\/5<\/strong>\u200b, echoing IMDb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>User reviews reflect the split: devout viewers often praise its message, while skeptics mock the execution. On the positive side, some Christian fans found it exciting. One Amazon reviewer gave 5 stars, conceding the flaws but applauding the creativity: <em>\u201cFor the budget and experience\u2026 I have to give them a hand for the job they pulled off\u2026 We were pleasantly surprised by how good this was\u201d<\/em>\u200b. A Rotten Tomatoes audience member likewise wrote <em>\u201cI loved every minute of this movie\u2026 it\u2019s a bit scary but it gives you insight into unseen spiritual forces\u2026 low budget but high price message\u201d<\/em>\u200b. Even some horror fans appreciate the absurd fun \u2013 a Letterboxd user delighted in the bloody angelic swordplay and camp tone (comparing it to a Christian version of the cult film <em>Despiser<\/em>\u200b).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the negative side, critics (often non-Christian) attack the thin story and acting. Rotten Tomatoes user comments are brutal: one rants that it\u2019s \u201cabsolutely pure hot garbage,\u201d with \u201camateur\u201d acting and terrible dialog\u200b. Another calls it \u201chorrible\u2026 transparently biased\u2026 watch it for a good laugh, but don&#8217;t expect good art\u201d\u200b. A low Letterboxd score comes with biting humor \u2013 for example, the user <em>Tomozaurus<\/em> quipped (\u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606) that the filmmakers clearly \u201c<em>bought a pack of stock CG effects and by god they are going to use all of them<\/em>\u201d\u200b. In short, its <strong>reception is polarizing<\/strong>: the movie has a cult following among faith-based viewers who cheer its sincerity and effects, while most secular audiences see it as a campy, ill-made oddity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ratings (approximate):<\/strong> IMDb ~4.0\/10\u200b; Rotten Tomatoes critical 0% (n\/a), audience 53%\u200b; Letterboxd average roughly \u2605\u2605\u2013\u2605\u2605\u2605 (mixed user reviews); Cine.com (Spanish) ~4.1\/5\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Streaming and Distribution<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Divination<\/em> never had a wide theatrical run or box office to speak of \u2013 it screened at festivals and went straight to home video. According to Deskpop and FishFlix, it was shown on the Christian film circuit in 2011 and only hit DVD in 2015\u200b. Internationally, it even aired on faith networks \u2013 for example, Romanian broadcaster Alfa Omega TV ran it in December 2014\u200b. Today it\u2019s mostly found online or on niche platforms. In the US, streaming guides like JustWatch list it for <strong>free<\/strong> on ad-supported services: it\u2019s available on The Roku Channel and Hoopla Digital\u200b, and also streams via Pluto TV. Viewers can also rent or buy it digitally (notably on Fandango at Home)\u200b. In short, it\u2019s easy to watch for free if you have a library card (Hoopla) or a streaming stick; the downside is that it never got a flashy Blu-ray release, and its marketing was limited to faith circles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Verdict<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Divination<\/em> is a wild spiritual thriller that plays like a faith-based B-movie. It <strong>delivers spectacle<\/strong> (demons tearing flesh, angels wielding swords) in a way Christian films rarely attempt, but its execution is <strong>all over the map<\/strong>. Fans of over-the-top \u201cspiritual warfare\u201d will find it earnest and entertaining on a campy level, especially given the special effects and fight scenes. However, most viewers will be distracted by the amateur acting, wobbly camerawork, and on-the-nose messaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Final Rating: 2.5\/5.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, <em>Divination<\/em> is a niche curiosity \u2013 admirable for ambition on a shoestring budget, but best enjoyed with low expectations. It\u2019s worth a watch for curious horror fans or the devout looking for something outside the usual faith-film mold, but it\u2019s unlikely to win over casual viewers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Divination wastes no time throwing viewers into \u201cpure spiritual warfare\u201d\u200b. This 2012 faith-based indie thriller was a passion project for writer-director Ben Pohl (a Minneapolis filmmaker) under the Deskpop Entertainment banner\u200b. In it, supernatural forces literally clash in a suburban home: Jason (D\u2019Angelo Midili) and his wife Jessica (Natasha Sims) are overjoyed by their first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12,"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2\/revisions\/12"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/divination-movie.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}