SummaryA dedicated L.A. police detective and a female psychic must stop a demonic serial killer who was given the powers of resurrection, teleportation and possession.
Directed By:Robert Resnikoff
Written By:Robert Resnikoff
The First Power
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
35
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
35
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
70% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
30% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
50
Resnikoff fails to sustain the tension established in the opening sequences, and the plot quickly degenerates into a repetitive pattern of possession and exorcism for the victims requisitioned by Channing's soul to do its bidding. With the exception of Phillips, the performances are remarkably unconvincing.
50
First-time writer-director Robert Resnikoff's visual style is bland at best, and his script has nothing memorable in it -- except for unbelievable occurrences. [12 Apr 1990, p.F8]
50
In this sleek but grisly and far-fetched thriller of the supernatural, [Resnikoff] means to terrify us but winds up leaving us merely numb, the usual effect of contrived exploitation fare. [09 Apr 1990, p.F6]
50
A disposable intermixing of son-of-Satan and cop-thriller cliches, featuring the requisite string of murder victims (with bloody pentagrams carved into their bodies).
50
Regardless of his true intentions, Resnikoff has made a screwy horror movie that, despite itself, is fun to watch.
25
The First Power is nowhere above average for the genre, and frequently far beneath it. [09 Apr 1990, p.2C]
25
Yet another low-grade spectacular about an evil force that leaps from body to body.
