Writer: J.M. Stelly (Screenplay)
Starring: Brian Krause, Jared Bankens, Lara Grice, Scott Allen Perry, Thomas Francis Murphy, Jeff Pearson, Manon Pages, Dane Rhodes
Plot: Detective Damien Seryph investigates a string of murders that connects to a group trying to bring forth the 4 King Demons of Hell. Damien’s past connects him to those involved and will force him to become “The Demonologist”.
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict: Overly Slow
Story: The Demonologist starts as two detectives Damian (Krause) and Billy (Hoefer) stat investigating a string a ritual murders. Meredith (Pages) has been possessed and used by the demon preparing to bring his children back to Earth for the next stage in process of life, with the most loyal follower being Ian Parrish (Bankes).
As the bodies continue to pile up, Damian learns out that it has become personal and he learns about his own past with the fight against demons before the evil will rise.
Thoughts on The Demonologist
Characters – Damian is a police detective, he is about to get engaged with his latest case involving a ritual manner, going through the investigation it becomes personal and he must learn to balance the personal side with the professional side. He must also learn about his past with the work of his family having dealt with the demons before. Ian Parrish is the one leading the ritual murders, he is following the orders of his chosen demon waiting for his chance. Meredith is the vessel for the demon, using her sexy seductive ways to keep her followers doing whatever she needs done. Frank is the partner of Damian’s trying to keep him on the right path when the case becomes too personal, he is the friend that is always there for him.
Performances – Brian Krause leads a cast that do just enough to get by without doing enough to make you want to see more from their character. Jared Bankes does look creepy, though we don’t get enough from his character, while Manon Pages brings the sexy side to the character, without getting to completely dive into her character.
Story – The story here takes an unsuspecting police detective that finds himself getting involved a case which involved ritual murders, only to learn that he was always meant to be involved in this battle. The pace of this story is weak because it does feel like it is dragging along and unless you know the ritual world certain terms will go straight over your head. We do seem to get introduced to a lot of characters and ends up feeling like the pilot episode to a television show giving the character of Damian everything he needs for the first fight with this new light in his career.
Horror – The horror involved in the film deals with possession and the potential rise of a demon from hell that will change Earth.
Settings – The film takes us to a city which has the dark arts going on within it, it could be any city because it has no iconic locations used.
Special Effects – The CGI used in the film does look weak and unconvincing throughout the film.
Scene of the Movie – The final battle.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The number of characters.
Final Thoughts – This is a weak horror that doesn’t get much help from the pacing of everything going on either, it feels like a pilot episode which cold turn into an interesting show.
Overall: Weak and disappointing.
Rating