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Demons
Dèmoni
1985 89 min Italy 18+
★6.7
Horror
Director: Lamberto Bava
Trailers
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Description
A group of people are trapped in a West Berlin movie theater infested with ravenous demons who proceed to kill and possess the humans one-by-one, thereby multiplying their numbers.
Budget:
$1.8M
Starring
Urbano Barberini
Actor
Natasha Hovey
Actor
Karl Zinny
Actor
Awards
2 nominations total
Key opinion
Lamberto Bava's "Demons" is widely regarded as a quintessential 80s Italian horror cult classic that prioritizes visceral practical effects and stylistic flair over narrative complexity. While critics and audiences frequently cite weak scripts and flat characterization, the film is consistently praised for its relentless pacing, iconic soundtrack, and intense, grotesque atmosphere.
| Production | The practical makeup effects, featuring graphic transformations and visceral gore, remain a standout highlight that defines the film's aesthetic. | |
| Score | The film is anchored by an energetic, genre-defining soundtrack that expertly blends synth and heavy metal elements. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative is often criticized for being simple, predictable, and riddled with plot holes, relying on a "film-within-a-film" premise that serves primarily as a vehicle for spectacle. | |
| Pacing | The film's relentless pacing and high-energy "thrill ride" approach succeed for those seeking pure spectacle, though others find the lack of character depth and disjointed logic to be significant flaws. |