Siri-type app turns lethal in 'Bedeviled'

Bringing new meaning to the phrase "killer app," the monster movie "Bedeviled" imagines a malevolent version of Siri coming to life to scare teenagers to death. What ensues is a competently made take on the slasher picture, but never as cutting-edge as the premise promises. Brothers Abel and Burlee Vang wrote and directed "Bedeviled," combining the technophobia of '90s Japanese ghost stories with the "attractive youngsters get murdered" dynamic of '80s scream-fests. The movie also has a sprinkle of Stephen King's "It," in that the villain often appears in clown makeup. Jordan Essoe provides the voice and occasionally the face of Mr. Bedevil, the bow-tie wearing mascot of a voice-activated helper application, providing recommendations based on detailed personal knowledge of the user's preferences.