This third installment is, in many ways, the darkest of the series. It's not "deranged" dark in the manner of the disturbing "The Treatment" (a must see for lovers of the genre - but admittedly a tough film with psychologically destructive activities discussed) but that in addition to involving the murder and abuse of children, and the continuing psychological deterioration of one the its main characters, it also dares to challenge the concept of faith (although like most films that tread in this direction, it fails to spend the added time and argument that can successfully undermine even the most devout adherents, instead - as is also typical - backsliding a bit from it's own dark realistic world view to allow some warmth in). If the first two films challenged what we expect from this genre, and what we expect from genre protagonists, this film also challenges some deeper held beliefs (even if it doesn't quite go far enough) and is all the braver for the effort. Best if watched in order and I am delighted they are filming a fourth in this series!
