By playing with storytelling rules, almost to the point of madness, Satrapi has elicited sympathy for the devil.

Swerving between pink-hued small-town satire and visceral gore, The Voices aims for the ghoulish humour of Eating Raoul or Parents - and, for the most part, misses.

It's wretchedly unfunny and tonally erratic, the striking production design notwithstanding.

The setup isn't exactly a mainstream commercial concept, but the energetic execution will appeal to cult audiences and those with a lurid sense of humor.