Movie Review: Demons (2017)

Demons (2017) - USA - Horror - Unrated (R)Written & Directed by Miles DoleacStarring Miles Doleac, Lindsay Anne Williams, Kristina Emerson,  Andrew Divoff, Steven Brand, Jessica Harthcock, John Schneider, Gary Grubbs, Caroline Baggerly, Yohance Myles, Megan Few
A tautly directed thriller brings together a talented cast and excellent writing that takes us on a journey of the underbelly of the human soul and like its namesake... Demons gets under your skin.
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you". - Friedrich Nietzsche
Pending nuptials bring together six people for a wedding the following morning. Two of these people are Colin Hampstead, a now successful author of the book Demons, and his wife Kayleigh. But it seems a seventh guest is present, harking back nine years ago to when Colin and Kayleigh first met, as he was the priest attending to her sister's exorcism.
When considering screeners up for review, this being when you have several available, some things stand out which influence your selection rather than my usual and unoriginal method of just going left to right or top to bottom. Demons stood out to me because of several of the cast:
Miles Doleac - A recognizable face, which I was first introduced to him in Miami Magma, one of many signs I watch wayyy too many disaster movies, brings success to a too often unsuccessful venture in film. That would be writing, directing, and starring in your own movie.
John Schneider - I swears I'm not stalking him. I swears I'm not. He just keeps showing up in everything. It's always a pleasure to see John in a film. Even if he's being disgusting he always brings integrity to playing his roles.
Andrew Divoff - What can you say about Divoff that is not said by his performances? He brings a powerful presence to every scene he is in. His deep voice and the intensity of his look demand attention. His presence is so powerful on the screen that when he makes characters on the screen uncomfortale, you just hope he doesn't look your way.
Gary Grubbs - One of my favorite character actors. Like John, it is always a pleasure to see Gary in a role. He just simply brings something special to the screen.
Jessica Harthcock - My main reason for picking this first. Having seen her performance in Fighting Belle, I was impressed with what a natural she is. She is seemingly effortless in her performances as she doesn't act her characters, but becomes them. I personally think she is a rising star, and certainly someone to keep on your 'pay attention to' list.
Demons is outright a haunting film. Part horror, part exorcism movie, part ghost story, all psychological thriller. Doleac has painted a portrait using a dynamic and fluid camera, with cinematography by Ben McBurnett, in hues ranging from ethereal to gut-wrenching.
Out of the starting gate I feel it stumbles a bit. The narrative is told is parallel, the story intersecting past and present. It begins at a point nine years ago, post-exorcism, then leaps into the present. As events happen in the present a chronological timeline of memories lead up to that very point in the past where the movie started. And might I say thank you Miles for having the distinction of the beard to make the transitions easier to follow. Of course the priest outfit helps too, but I am at times dense in that way.
Once the movie gets its footing things fall into place and it moves forward with elegance. Doleac's direction in akin to Tobe Hooper's direction in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in not putting the grotesque on screen as so many horror movies would do, but imbuing it within the story. The end result is more horrifying than any superficial treatment can accomplish.
Demons challenges preconceived notions, stripping away the vestments of conformity and brings the viewer raw into the uncomfortable. The last half hour is so tension filled that it grabs you by the throat and won't let go. The story is ugly, yes, yet so beautifully rendered that you may find yourself wanting to turn away, but you can't.
This is not your average horror movie. Demons will demand your attention. This is a story both subtle and unyielding. At times deceptively surrealist in its overt frankness. Dismiss nothing along the way, for eventually it will all fall into place.
My Rating: 4 Fingers