Demons (1985) Movie Review
In a super chic theatre, a group of strangers gather to catch an off-beat horror film. Not soon after the film rolls, reality seems to match accurately what's on the screen, crescendo-ing into a cluster of demon possessed patrons and the survivors who try to find a way out and avoid a grisly transformation.
A motorcycle, sword battle, shiny masks, and coke-consumed punks were part of the carnage after the outbreak of anarchy from otherworldly, snarling, once human creatures. Always a sucker for antiquated practical effects, the gore factor is reasonably high without being gratuitous. Where Demons falls short is capturing any truly, well written characters with any depth. The only real standout's consisted of Tony (Bobby Rhodes) for his one-liner's and his direct, no nonsense attitude and Geretta's Rosemary, a fun loving, rebellious type who is responsible for driving most of the action that follows after the first act.
There are many films that can put you in a time machine. Demons is one of those films. Co-writer Dario Argento and director Lamberto Bava are visionaries at work and do it well with this ambitious effort, making good use of tension and establishing shots.
In a wider context, Demons manages to engage with the politics of infection and the anxiety around the fact while doing a spellbinding job of capturing the enticing, visual culture of what made the 1980's so stylish. Body horror was massively suggestive and popular during this time (earlier, Videodrome, a year later, The Fly). The biggest difference is that Demons does not focus primarily on one character's transformation but the overall and practically only theme this film is driven by is desecration of the flesh. In droves. It leans towards a communal outbreak that shows no sign of slowing down, having a common approach to the genuine fear surrounding drugs and disease.
Because what is a demon? An entity on the prowl with a need to possess and destroy.
There are layers hidden within this simple story that make for fun talk. In a pinch, Demons is a great pick to alleviate boredom and to feel good about your non-North American horror. And if you really, really have a craving for 80s nostalgia, this is it.
A motorcycle, sword battle, shiny masks, and coke-consumed punks were part of the carnage after the outbreak of anarchy from otherworldly, snarling, once human creatures. Always a sucker for antiquated practical effects, the gore factor is reasonably high without being gratuitous. Where Demons falls short is capturing any truly, well written characters with any depth. The only real standout's consisted of Tony (Bobby Rhodes) for his one-liner's and his direct, no nonsense attitude and Geretta's Rosemary, a fun loving, rebellious type who is responsible for driving most of the action that follows after the first act.
There are many films that can put you in a time machine. Demons is one of those films. Co-writer Dario Argento and director Lamberto Bava are visionaries at work and do it well with this ambitious effort, making good use of tension and establishing shots.
In a wider context, Demons manages to engage with the politics of infection and the anxiety around the fact while doing a spellbinding job of capturing the enticing, visual culture of what made the 1980's so stylish. Body horror was massively suggestive and popular during this time (earlier, Videodrome, a year later, The Fly). The biggest difference is that Demons does not focus primarily on one character's transformation but the overall and practically only theme this film is driven by is desecration of the flesh. In droves. It leans towards a communal outbreak that shows no sign of slowing down, having a common approach to the genuine fear surrounding drugs and disease.
Because what is a demon? An entity on the prowl with a need to possess and destroy.
There are layers hidden within this simple story that make for fun talk. In a pinch, Demons is a great pick to alleviate boredom and to feel good about your non-North American horror. And if you really, really have a craving for 80s nostalgia, this is it.