Lost Souls

Directed by: Roberto Mauri

RS: Not Rated

2000 Thriller

Lost Souls stars Winona Ryder as a former victim of demonic possession. Maybe itÕs Satan who's been making Ryder's career choices lately -- at least that might explain the awful Autumn in New York and this appalling horror show. Ben Chaplin co-stars as the cute crime journalist whose body Satan plans to use as a base to destroy the world unless Ryder can stop him. This supernatural twaddle marks the directing debut of Janusz Kaminski, the brilliant cinematographer of Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. From Kaminski you don't expect a flat, fatuous knockoff of The Exorcist, but that is what you get. With the original Exorcist back at the multiplex, you don't need this pale copy, produced by Meg Ryan, of all people. If the devil made them all do it, he's one dull bastard.

PETER TRAVERS