The Devil Conspiracy (2022) is a film that takes “high concept” to a whole new level. Imagine if The Da Vinci Code, Resident Evil, and Constantine had an unholy lovechild—with Lucifer himself as the midwife. Directed by Nathan Frankowski and written by Ed Alan, this bizarre mashup of theology, body horror, and sci-fi spectacle is as wild as its premise suggests: a biotech company plans to clone Jesus using DNA from the Shroud of Turin… in order to offer the body to Lucifer.

Yes, you read that right.

Plot Overview: Angels, Clones, and the Shroud of Turin

The story kicks off with a celestial prologue—an epic battle between Archangel Michael and Lucifer during the original rebellion in Heaven. The fallen angel is imprisoned in Hell, but not defeated. Flash forward to the modern day: a shadowy biotech corporation called L.C. (Loyola Corporation) has discovered a way to clone humans using relic DNA. Their goal? To create the perfect vessel for Lucifer’s return by stealing the DNA of Christ from the Shroud of Turin.

Meanwhile, Archangel Michael (portrayed by Peter Mensah in a stoic, Terminator-like performance) is sent to Earth to prevent this apocalyptic plan. He possesses the body of a recently deceased priest and goes on a righteous rampage to stop the satanic scientists. Caught in the middle is Laura (Alice Orr-Ewing), an art historian and unwitting participant in the company’s twisted conspiracy after she uncovers the true purpose of the stolen relics.

As the devil’s followers prepare for the “birth” of Lucifer’s new body, Michael and Laura must stop the ceremony—battling demonic entities, possessed cultists, and unhinged biotech zealots.

Ambition vs. Execution

If there’s one thing you can’t fault The Devil Conspiracy for, it’s lack of ambition. The film attempts to juggle:

• Theological mythology (Heaven vs. Hell)

• Sci-fi horror (human cloning, body-snatching)

• Religious iconography (the Shroud of Turin, angelic battles)

• Corporate conspiracy

• And even a touch of cosmic horror

At times, the movie feels like it’s channeling Event Horizon or Hellraiser with its grotesque imagery and operatic depiction of good versus evil. Other moments lean toward straight-up B-movie camp, with archvillains giving monologues about Lucifer’s return while surrounded by science fiction lab equipment straight out of a SyFy Channel original.

Visuals and Special Effects

Visually, The Devil Conspiracy is a mixed bag. On one hand, the film’s ambition is clear in its sweeping depiction of Hell, the ethereal battles between celestial beings, and the bizarre biotech lab that looks like a gothic cathedral fused with a cloning facility.

However, the CGI quality varies significantly. Some of the early scenes—such as the descent into Hell or Michael’s entrance into Earth—are surprisingly effective and haunting. But later effects, especially involving demonic transformations and action sequences, feel rushed and dated, undercutting the tension with video game-like quality.

That said, the production design deserves credit for being unapologetically surreal. There’s a sincerity in its world-building that helps sell even the most absurd sequences.

Performances: Camp Meets Conviction

Alice Orr-Ewing delivers a solid performance as Laura, grounding the chaos with genuine emotion. She makes for a capable protagonist—sympathetic, skeptical, but eventually heroic. Peter Mensah as Michael brings gravitas and a physical presence that sells his divine warrior status, even if his dialogue is sparse and stoic to a fault.

Joe Doyle as Lucifer (in human form) is where things get campy—and fun. His devilish performance is equal parts seductive, menacing, and theatrical, echoing performances like Al Pacino in The Devil’s Advocate, but without the same polish. His scenes ooze malevolent charisma, even when the dialogue veers into melodramatic territory.

The supporting cast includes your typical evil scientists, hooded cultists, and conflicted religious figures. While many fall into cliché, they play their roles with enough commitment that the film avoids descending into complete parody.

Themes: Religion, Free Will, and Hubris

Beneath the spectacle and absurdity, The Devil Conspiracy does raise interesting thematic questions. Chief among them: what happens when modern science dares to tinker with the divine? By merging religious artifacts with CRISPR-like gene editing, the film explores the blasphemous intersection of faith and technology.

There are also ideas about fate, redemption, and free will—particularly in Laura’s arc, as she is tempted by both sides to become a vessel or savior. While these themes aren’t deeply explored, they give the film just enough intellectual backbone to elevate it above mindless horror.

There’s even a satirical edge in its depiction of a biotech company treating sacred relics like DNA samples, hinting at a world where profit, power, and spiritual corruption walk hand in hand.

Pacing and Structure

At nearly two hours, the film overstays its welcome in the final act. The pacing is uneven: the first half sets up the stakes and world intriguingly, but the middle act meanders with repetitive chase scenes and theological exposition. The climax, while visually ambitious, becomes so chaotic that it risks emotional disconnection.

Still, credit must be given for not playing it safe. The final confrontation—involving a hybrid messiah body, Lucifer’s consciousness, and a full-on angelic intervention—swings for the fences in ways few modern horror films dare.

Final Verdict

The Devil Conspiracy is a flawed but fascinating mess. It’s not for everyone—viewers looking for subtlety or realism will likely roll their eyes. But for fans of audacious genre storytelling, it’s a wild ride. It plays like a graphic novel brought to life: hyper-stylized, mythologically drenched, and gloriously over-the-top.

It’s not “good” in the traditional sense, but it’s never boring. In fact, its very existence is almost admirable. In an era of formulaic horror and safe studio sci-fi, here’s a film that dares to ask, “What if Lucifer possessed the cloned body of Jesus?”

And honestly? That kind of narrative chaos deserves a cult following.

Final Score: 6.5/10
Sinfully silly, devilishly ambitious, and utterly unique—a hellish ride worth taking (if you’re into this kind of thing).