Diabolic (film)

Diabolic is a 2025 Australian supernatural horror film directed by Daniel J. Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mike Harding and Ticia Madsen. The film, a co-production between Empire Road Pictures and Sunjive Studios, stars Elizabeth Cullen, John Kim, Mia Challis, Robin Goldsworthy, and Genevieve Mooy. The plot centers on a young woman who confronts a vengeful spirit after undergoing a healing ceremony in a remote community. Diabolic premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) on October 17, 2025, and received the Best Australian Feature Film award at Monster Fest 2025.

Plot

The film follows Elise (Elizabeth Cullen), a young woman who has suffered from blackouts and self-destructive behavior for years after leaving the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saint (FLDS) religious sect she grew up in. Despite the reservations of her boyfriend, Adam (John Kim), Elise agrees to return to the remote cabin community as a last-ditch effort to confront her past and seek a "miracle cure" through a hallucinogenic ritual. The story is partially inspired by co-writer Ticia Madsen's real-life experiences in the Mormon church, providing a backdrop for the fictional supernatural horror elements. The cleansing ritual, overseen by one of the community's elders, Alma (Genevieve Mooy), and her son (Robin Goldsworthy), unintentionally unleashes the demonic spirit of a cursed witch named Larue (Seraphine Harley). The spirit seeks to possess Elise and enact revenge against the community that wronged her. Director Daniel J. Phillips stated that the film explores a deeper meaning of religious persecution, particularly against women in patriarchal institutions.

Production

Diabolic was directed by Daniel J. Phillips, marking his second feature film after Awoken (2020). Although the narrative is set in the American Midwest and features American characters, the film was shot in Australia with Australian actors and crew.

Key crew members included cinematographer Michael Tessari and editor Sean Lahiff (A.S.E.). The sound design was crafted by Hamish Keen and Emma Bortignon, who are known for their work on Talk to Me (2023), with the score composed by Will Spartalis. Phillips cited Wes Craven and Steven Spielberg as influences for the film's tone, which he described as balancing horror tropes with a sense of humor.

Release

Diabolic had its world premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival on October 17, 2025, and strong audience demand prompted an encore screening. The film began its national cinema release in Australia on November 20, 2025, distributed by Monster Pictures. A US theatrical rollout is scheduled for February 2026.

Critical response

Following its festival run, On the Run Movies gave the film four stars, stating that, “Diabolic respects its audience. It assumes you can handle complexity, make connections, and sit with discomfort. In a genre that often assumes the opposite, that respect counts for something substantial.” OutLoudCulture described the film as “one of the best horror movies of 2025. It looks and sounds amazing for a small Australian film. Elizabeth Cullen gives a powerful performance. The Adelaide Film Festival programmers described the film as possessing "everything you could want to make your blood curdle."

Awards

In 2025, the film won the Best Australian Feature Film award at the Monster Fest.