Trailers
Description
American professor John Holden arrives in London for a conference on parapsychology only to discover that the colleague he was supposed to meet was killed in a freak accident the day before. It turns out that the deceased had been investigating a cult lead by Dr. Julian Karswell. Though a skeptic, Holden is suspicious of the devil-worshiping Karswell. Following a trail of mysterious manuscripts, Holden enters a world that makes him question his faith in science.
Starring
Awards
Key opinion
Jacques Tourneur’s Night of the Demon is widely celebrated as a foundational work of atmospheric horror that masterfully blends rational mystery with the occult. While the performances of the leads are highly regarded, the film is frequently critiqued for its studio-mandated inclusion of a poorly realized monster that undermines the subtle tension Tourneur meticulously builds.
| Acting | Dana Andrews delivers a compelling performance as the stoic and skeptical hero anchoring the narrative. | |
| Acting | Niall MacGinnis provides a chilling and memorable portrayal of the occult leader Julian Karswell. | |
| Direction | Jacques Tourneur’s direction expertly weaves together elements of noir, psychology, and supernatural dread. | |
| Production | The forced inclusion of the literal demon effects ruins the film’s carefully crafted sense of suspense and atmosphere. | |
| Acting | Peggy Cummins' performance is seen as lacking, failing to convincingly convey the necessary terror of her situation. |