Fantastic Fest 2011

Director Sean Hogan and Producer Jen Handorf live in person!

Two hit-men, veteran Pinner (Billy Clarke) and the fumbling new guy, Cully (Jack Gordon), are ordered to take out one of their former associates. While the target is out on the town, the two stake out in his house. As boredom kicks in, Cully requests Pinner tell a story of his past. Pinner chooses a dark and haunting one. He tells Cully about Valentina, a stripper that he and his associates were ordered to take out - and not to dinner. Pinner brings out the demons - first figuratively, then literally - as he unfolds the story of a love affair gone awry.

The supernatural suggestions of Pinner’s story put Cully on edge and when they see occult symbols on an investigation of the rest of the house, their imaginations turn towards the sinister. They slowly realize their target isn't exactly who he seems to be; this job isn’t going to be as easy as they first assumed; and their perceived upper-hand in the situation begins to quickly reverse.

DEVIL’S BUSINESS marks the second directorial feature from writer/director, Sean Hogan (he also directed the opening segment for this year’s LITTLE DEATHS horror anthology). Set almost entirely inside the home of producer Jennifer Handorf’s in-laws, Hogan proves that you can work within a confines of a micro-budget and still deliver genuine tension. I’ll take strong performances, crisp dialogue and an innovative plot over CGI renderings and crane shots any day of the week. (Chase Whale)