i wasn not expect a lot from this film and but i be disappointed even so . from the begin it can not seem to find what it really want to do and which be unfortunate because it a kind of interesting premise . but only kind of and which doom it from the outset when couple with it lack script and subpar acting . unfortunately the only really interesting thing in this film be the thing that they tend to crib from other and good film and story . and although it do have some pretty well know actor who generally be know to be able to act and this just never quite come together and which make it seem like a serious problem with direction . for example and christopher mcdonald character the presumed hero hugh stanton be play so broadly that he be practically a poster child for the obnoxious american stereotype . and it not really his fault so much a the fact that he be give so disastrously little to work with . similar be every other character while while rachael leigh cook do a rather good job with her lucy stanton ( a character unfortunately and implausibly call luce and pronounce loose by her father ) and she have very little to do but be a victim of her father obnoxiousness and some sort of bizarre satanic cult that be only give a raison detre in the last twenty minute . maximilian schell rather good acting be waste in his predictable yet nonsensical role . the rest of the cast do decent enough job but be give pathetically little real role in anything happening and be often dispose of in comically ridiculous way . the story be just not engage or tense and and there isn not really a moment where it anything but bore . this be a serious shame because the premise could have be very suspenseful and but it wasn not even remotely realise . although most of the effect be somewhere significantly less than special and the monstrous blank be extremely striking but unfortunately go completely waste . similarly waste be so much potential with the rest of the film and where often thing set up to happen end up fizzle before they get there . the music vary between zany and irritating and which be noteworthy since hugh be a music teacher . some of the moment that be suppose to have be scary or strike simply sound like someone hit the drama button and elicit laughter instead of a scream or a jump . overall this film be so inane that and at time and it be blatantly offensive to it viewer . it not because of any religious undertone ( although those be botch too ) and but instead because of the extremely regrettable fact that this script be not anywhere near as engage a it should have be . it meander and tease and and seem to forget itself within mere line of self contradiction . the acting be uneven and even for the several experienced actor involve and and all in all it be a wasted opportunity that end up be similarly a complete waste of time . it a pity . with a decent cast and a decent premise and sometimes even a bad script or lack direction can be overcome . not so in this case .