🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Ciarán Foy
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Drama
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 38min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (43K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A kid with a super-rare allergy goes to a spooky house for a cure, but it turns out he’s just evil and needed a safe space to practice his firebending.
🍿 Eli: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Boy in a Bubble
Eli, a young boy with a severe autoimmune disorder, is confined to a protective suit, unable to interact with the outside world. Desperate for a cure, his parents, Rose and Paul, take him to a secluded clinic run by Dr. Isabella Horn. The clinic, a renovated old house, promises a radical new treatment that could finally give Eli a normal life. The initial hope quickly turns to unease as Eli begins to experience disturbing supernatural events within the house.

Haunted House or Something More?
As Eli undergoes the painful treatments, the paranormal activity intensifies. He sees apparitions, hears whispers, and receives cryptic warnings. Eli befriends Haley, a girl he can only communicate with through a sealed window. Haley fuels Eli’s suspicion, suggesting the house is haunted and that Dr. Horn’s methods are not what they seem. She reveals that no previous patients have ever left the facility, raising grave concerns about their fate.

Unraveling the Truth
Driven by the haunting and Haley’s warnings, Eli investigates Dr. Horn’s office. He discovers records of previous patients who all died during the final stage of treatment. Eli tries to convince his parents to leave, but they dismiss his fears as side effects. Trust erodes as Eli uncovers a hidden room with religious symbols and a dark secret about Dr. Horn’s true intentions, leading to a shocking revelation about his own identity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Eli (Charlie Shotwell): A young boy with a supposed auto-immune disorder who discovers he is the son of Satan.
- Rose (Kelly Reilly): Eli’s mother who made a deal with Satan to have a child.
- Paul (Max Martini): Eli’s father, who tries to protect his son but is ultimately killed by him.
- Dr. Horn (Lili Taylor): The doctor who runs the secluded medical facility and attempts to kill Eli.
- Haley (Sadie Sink): A mysterious girl who befriends Eli and reveals the truth about his heritage.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Haley: “You say you’re what, like, allergic to the world, right?” – Haley introduces the premise of Eli’s supposed rare illness, which is later revealed to be something else entirely.
- Rose: “We’re doing everything we can for you, Eli.” – Rose reassures Eli about his treatment, masking the darker truth about his origins.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $14,113,729
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Eli Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this thinking it was just another haunted house movie, and for a good chunk of it, it was! The suspense was great, the kid actor was pretty good, and the creepy nuns definitely did their job. But then… BAM! The ending completely threw me for a loop. I’m still not sure if I liked it or hated it, but I can say that I haven’t stopped thinking about it since! The twist changes the whole movie. I really did like the first half though. All the spooky stuff happening in the house, Eli trying to figure out what was going on… It was great! But that ending… It’s either a stroke of genius or a total train wreck. You’ll have to decide for yourself. Worth a watch just to see what you think!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of supernatural horror movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy twist endings”
- “Those interested in stories about demonic lineage”
- “People who like movies with a slow-burn build-up”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Religious themes and imagery”
- “Disturbing scenes”
- “Child endangerment”
- “Brief strong language”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “Eli starts as a promising supernatural thriller, creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere. However, the film takes a sharp turn in its final act, delivering a twist that many viewers find jarring and nonsensical. While the performances are solid, the ending undermines the suspense built up in the earlier parts of the movie, leaving a mixed impression.
- ScreenRant: “Ciarán Foy creates palpable tension with a haunting visual style. The twist ending is divisive. It recontextualizes everything previously presented. Some will appreciate the boldness, while others will consider it a disappointing departure from the initial premise.
Audience Reactions
The plot twist completely changed the movie’s genre.: The ending is the most polarizing aspect, with some loving the surprise and others feeling it ruined the established atmosphere.
The jump scares were effective and well-timed.: Many viewers appreciated the suspenseful buildup and eerie atmosphere, which kept them engaged throughout the film’s first two acts.
Overall Consensus: Eli is a divisive horror film with a strong beginning and a controversial ending. It’s praised for its suspense and acting, but criticized for its jarring twist, which either enhances or detracts from the overall experience depending on individual preferences.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Netflix acquired the distribution rights for ‘Eli’ from Paramount Pictures after the studio struggled with marketing the film due to its unique blend of horror and supernatural themes.”
- “The end credits scroll down instead of up, a stylistic choice that sets it apart from traditional film presentations.”
🖥️ How to Watch Eli?
Eli is currently available to stream on Netflix. Check local listings for potential rental or purchase options on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Eli, you might like these similar films:
- The Omen (1976): Deals with the birth of the Antichrist, similar to Eli’s true nature and destiny.
- Orphan (2009): Features a shocking twist regarding the true identity of a seemingly innocent child.
- The Good Son (1993): A psychological thriller where a seemingly innocent child displays sinister behavior.
🛒 Eli Related Products
- The Omen Collection [Blu-ray]: Explore the origins of evil with The Omen Collection on Blu-ray, featuring the complete Omen series. A must-have for fans of demonic horror and films exploring the Antichrist.
- Funko Pop! Movies: The Exorcist – Regan: Own a piece of horror history with the Funko Pop! The Exorcist – Regan figure. A perfect addition to any horror fan’s collection and a nod to one of the most iconic demonic possession stories.
- The Exorcist [4K Ultra HD]: Experience the terror of The Exorcist in stunning 4K Ultra HD. This remastered edition brings the classic tale of demonic possession to life with enhanced visuals and audio.
- Rosemary’s Baby (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Experience the unnerving suspense of ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ with this Criterion Collection Blu-ray. Immerse yourself in this chilling tale of paranoia and dark secrets.
🎧 Soundtrack
Eli features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Initially, Eli is presented as suffering from a severe autoimmune disorder that makes him allergic to the outside world. However, this is later revealed to be a deception; he is actually the son of Satan.
The major twist is that Eli is not sick but is the son of Satan, and Dr. Horn’s treatments were an attempt to kill him using religious rituals. This revelation dramatically shifts the movie’s genre from a medical mystery/haunted house story to supernatural horror.
Haley is a young girl who communicates with Eli through a window. She appears to befriend him but is eventually revealed to be another child of Satan, tasked with guiding Eli to his true father.
🔥 Bonus Content
ELI (Explained)
Ever feel like you missed some key details in ‘Eli’? This video breaks down the entire plot and explains all those confusing twists. I found it really helpful in understanding the ending – you might too!
If Denzel was BLIND in the Book of Eli, How do you explain THIS?
Was Denzel blind in ‘The Book of Eli,’ or wasn’t he? This short video dives into the evidence and offers a surprising perspective! I’m still not totally convinced, but it definitely made me rethink a few things.
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