4K/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Reviews

4K Ultra HD™ Review: Lamberto Bava’s Italian Horror Classic “Demons” Deserves To Be Sent Straight Back To Hell

A group of random people are invited to a mysterious movie screening, only to find themselves trapped in the theater with ravenous demons.

Cheryl (Natasha Hovey)’s evening takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious figure in a mask approaches her on the Berlin subway platform. He extends an invitation to a secret screening at the recently restored Metropol Cinema. Her curiosity piqued, Cheryl invites her best friend Kathy (Paola Cozzo) to join her. Upon their arrival, they’re swept up in a sea of attendees. Rosemary (Geretta Geretta), another guest, discovers an unusual mask on display in the lobby. After a moment of temptation, she tries it on, nicking her face in the process. As Cheryl and Kathy settle into their seats, they’re joined by two college boys, George and Ken (Urbano Barberini and Karl Zinny), who seem eager to make their acquaintance. The lights dim, and the film begins. To Kathy’s chagrin, it’s a horror movie. As the plot unfolds, a character on screen donning a mask identical to Rosemary’s begins to act strangely. Rosemary, now wearing the mask, starts to mimic the character’s actions. She then undergoes a terrifying transformation into a demon, attacking those around her and infecting them with her newfound malevolence. Panic erupts, and the audience rushes for the exit. But Cheryl, Kathy, George, and Ken soon realize they’re trapped and that the cinema is cursed. Now, they must find a way to escape before they succumb to the evil that surrounds them.

Italian culture boasts many strengths – delectable cuisine, impeccable fashion sense, a knack for romance – but horror acting, it seems, is not among them. The concept behind “Demons’ is intriguing, but the execution falls flat due to subpar performances. Even fledgling drama students could deliver more convincing portrayals. Director Lamberto Bava appears to have prioritized gratuitous gore over cultivating genuine performances from his cast. He overlooks the fact that a story’s impact hinges on the characters’ reactions. Without authentic emotional responses, the most graphic scenes of violence ring hollow. The characters in “Demons’ behave in ways that are more laughable than terrifying. While the setting of an old cinema holds potential, the rest of the film is sadly comical in its ineptitude.

Lamberto Bava has built a career on churning out forgettable, low-budget flicks like “Macabre,” “A Blade in the Dark,” “Blastfighter,” and “Devil Fish.” He demonstrates neither a distinct directorial style nor a knack for storytelling. His camera placement seems designed solely to maximize the carnage on display, with little thought given to building tension or pacing. It’s a mystery he managed to sustain a career.

Available on 4K Ultra HD™ & Blu-ray™ August 13th

 

3.4k
20k
Pinterest1.5k
Linked In1.3k

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

James McDonald

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, James is a Movie Critic with 40 years of experience in the film industry as an Award-Winning Filmmaker. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association.