Frailty (2002) [R]

This is a great, creepy movie, with a huge twist at the end. Bill Paxton, directing for the first time, plays Dad, a widower with two young sons. One day he tells them that he has received a vision from God. He has been tasked to destroy demons. Is he insane? His "tools" come to him in a way with mystical overtones.

It seems that Dad can tell if someone is a demon by shaking hands. Once he finds one, he believes he must fulfill his mission. He drags his sons with him on these missions, where they witness terrifying deeds. Remarkably, he is never caught.

The movie starts with one of the brothers, now grown up, going to the FBI to report that he believes his brother is the serial killer who is called God's Hand. He tells his story in flashbacks and when he is finished, the story gets even more exciting.

I am not really a fan of horror movies. I cover my eyes when there is blood, and I never appreciate that trick they do with someone jumping out unexpectedly. This is movie is not really part of that genre. It tells a gruesome story, but throws enough doubt that you are not sure if Dad is insane or really doing God's work.

I love twists and turns in my movies. I like when movies try to trick us and then surprise us with what is really going on. This movie does that excellently. Paxton did a great job with his first stint as a director!

DIRECTOR: Bill Paxton.  CAST: Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matt O'Leary, Luke Askew, Jeremy Sumpter, Derk Cheetwood, Melissa Crider.

AWARDS: 3 wins and 8 nominations.