For its first third, as a skeptical scientist (Hilary Swank) and her Christian assistant (Idris Elba) investigate a rash of Biblical plagues in a backwoods Louisiana burg, this is a nice substitute for that X-Files sequel some of us have been waiting for (he’s the Mulder to her Scully). Then the picture literally goes to hell. Well, maybe not hell itself, but certainly the campy, Hollywood version of it, complete with creepy kids, chanting Satanists and a silly shock ending inspired by Rosemary’s Baby.
