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Leave all the lights on after dark debut Browbeaten Davis is a revelation

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presence of a dead body – this one under a sheet – makes you uncomforta­ble as you’re always waiting for it to make a move.

Davis, whose relatively limited acting experience has been predominan­tly small TV roles (True Detective, The Walking Dead), is a revelation.

Thomas’ script gives Yakov a lot of baggage and with his soulful looks, head rubbing and unsure of himself demeanour, Davis exemplifie­s a troubled character.

The story also cleverly makes us question whether everything going on is in Yakov’s head as nearly every interactio­n he has after he enters the deceased man’s house deteriorat­es into inexplicab­le territory.

I’ve got to give a shout-out to Lynn Cohen too; like a less over-the-top Lin Shaye, her Mrs Litvak is equally sympatheti­c and alarming.

Cleverly, Thomas keeps his supernatur­al entity hidden in the shadows for the most part, meaning extra impact when it makes its presence known. Truthfully, like many films of this type, the ending is a little convenient and abrupt, but it works as a nice climax to the browbeaten Yakov’s story.

●Have you seen The Vigil and, if so, did you enjoy it? What are your favourite films currently streaming on Netflix?

Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommenda­tions you have – to your fellow readers.

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