The Djinn follows twelve-year-old Dylan, a mute boy who lives with his father, Michael, a radio host. One evening, while his father works the night shift, Dylan stumbles upon a mysterious book of spells in their new apartment. With his mother gone and no acquaintances in the neighborhood, Dylan finds himself drawn into a familiar narrative: striking a deal with The Djinn, as depicted in the eerie ancient book.

The story unfolds as an almost entirely silent film, complemented by intermittent narrative to bring viewers up to speed on the spell and ritual, along with anecdotes about fate and other elements conveyed through a voiceover. Following the prescribed ritual in the book, Dylan is promised anything his heart desires. What Dylan seeks is a voice, while what The Djinn desires is his soul.

The Djinn Trailer – Watch It Here

Evil Genies and Djinn 2021

The score for the movie is impressive, with plenty of spooky presences fueled by Dylan’s own macabre memories. He does a commendable job fending off the evil spirits, which come in various forms, and the cinematography is remarkably sharp considering the limited space the filmmakers had to work with. Ezra Dewey delivers a fantastic performance as Dylan. However, the film falls short in offering new scares and eerie trickster behavior. Additionally, the storyline feels a bit repetitive after the halfway point.

The supernatural horror movie’s climax could be considered the film’s redeeming quality, despite its predictability. Fortunately, the characters are sufficiently likable to effectively execute the conclusion, even if it can be anticipated. The engaging nature of the characters allows for continued investment in the storyline, ultimately sticking to its landing.

I give The Djinn

3 spirits that want your soul out of 5

Mother of Movies score

IFC Midnight’s THE DJINN directed by David Charbonier and Justin Powell – In Theaters, Digital, and On Demand from Friday, May 14th, 2021.
Produced by Mad Descent and Kinogo Pictures.
The movie was acquired as a screener for review purposes.
Cast includes Ezra Dewey, Rob Brownstein and Tevy Poe.

Where to Watch Djinn 2021

You can watch Djinn on several great streaming platforms. In the USA, the title is streaming on Shudder. In the UK, it’s on Prime Video. For more ways to watch, check your favorite where to watch app. I recommend JustWatch.com and ReelGood.com.