In 2002, Aaron Eckhart starred in Neil LaBute’s Possession, playing a scholar who alternately competed with and wooed Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in the present while Jeremy Northam romanced a poet in the past. There were no ghosts or demons to bust, as it turned out that the “possession” in question had more to do with who would get to publish the correspondence of the 18th or 19th century poets.
Eckhart’s LaBute days are mostly behind him, as he seems more interested in tracking down serial killers for the social media clicks and being taken hostage onscreen. But at least his latest film will finally let him do that thing we hoped he’d do in Possession, namely, dealing with possessed beings. But, as his character flatly explains, he won’t compel demons to exit your body with the power of Christ. Instead, he’s relying on that other religion—you know, science—to expel the hellish things.
The trailer’s a jumble of Matrix references and Exorcist nods, and sees Eckhart doing his best Max von Sydow impression. Catalina Sandino Moreno (The Affair, Maria Full Of Grace) plays exorcist recruiter, and Gotham’s David Mazouz is doing some very un-Batman-like things as a possessed kid who kills priests, but at least he’s doing something.
Directed by Brad Peyton, Incarnate takes over theaters September 30.