A group of young people arrives at a remote village where they encounter an ancient spirit – a succubus – that can take human disguise. It feeds on one’s deepest fears and brings out the darkest side in people.
Despite its classic horror setup—a remote frozen island setting, dense woods, a spooky house, and a demonic presence—Serik Beyseu’s latest film (formerly known as “Succubus,” now titled “The Demoness”) fails to deliver on its promise. Though lead actress Angelina Pahomova gives a solid performance as twin sisters, her castmates seem to sleepwalk through their roles, creating an emotional void that weakens the story’s effectiveness.
The story follows several couples on an isolated winter getaway. What starts as a romantic retreat quickly turns nightmarish as guests start disappearing and returning… differently. Our protagonist, Stacey (Pahomova), has a hidden agenda—she’s trying to figure out what happened to her sister, who vanished from the same location several months earlier. Her boyfriend, Michael (Anton Rival), and the other guests remain oblivious to her true motives.
Things take a dark turn when Stacey stumbles upon an underground chamber and observes a bizarre ritual. A group of robed figures performs a ceremony in which a demon—a succubus—devours a young woman and takes her form. This creature then tries to seduce the other guests, hoping to steal their souls through intimate contact. As more people fall victim to the entity, Stacey struggles to convince the others of the danger, especially since she can’t tell who’s still human.
The film’s setting works in its favor—there’s something inherently unsettling about a cabin surrounded by wilderness on a frozen island. However, numerous missteps prevent the movie from reaching its full potential. The English dub is particularly weak, with flat, unconvincing voice acting. The plot loses credibility when characters inexplicably choose to get intimate despite obvious danger signs. While cinematographer Anton Zenkovich’s ethereal approach creates some visually striking moments, it doesn’t help build the necessary tension.
Beyseu shows promise in creating suspense but repeatedly lets viewers down with anticlimactic resolutions. The film builds up numerous scenes that should pay off in satisfying ways, only to fizzle out disappointingly. In the end, while all the ingredients for an effective horror movie are present, the finished product feels like a missed opportunity, leaving audiences wishing for what might have been.
Available on Digital February 11th, and on Blu-ray™ and DVD exclusively through Amazon May 27th
