'Demonic' Film Review

What would it look like if Neill Blomkamp directed a horror movie? Well, "Demonic" is almost just that.

Blending the sci-fi and horror genre while also experimenting with the medium of film, as well as the horror genre, the film offers a really neat and original concept that answers many ideas audiences might have.

What would it look like if we could see inside the mind of someone who is possessed?

What if we could transport ourselves into a person's mind to see if they are truly possessed and what would that demon look like personified?

Blomkamp takes the possession genre and flips it to where we see the demon the entire time and know where it is, thus the film becomes almost like a slasher.

How do audiences see it though? Enter: Blomkamp's baby, science fiction.

The film follows a woman named Carly, played by Carly Pope, who is informed by Martin, her ex-boyfriend, (Chris William Martin,) that her mother, (Nathalie Boltt) in prison, has been transported to a special medical research facility where she is in a comatose state.

At this facility, a group of scientists led by a man named Michael, (Michael J. Rogers) have created technology that allows physical access into someone's mind who claim demonic possession for the crimes they've committed to prove whether or not they are actually possessed.

They recruit Carly as she is the only one her mother as been asking for, to go in and confront her subconscious. They describe it almost like a dream. Which, it is visually.

To illustrate the sequences when Carly is inside her mother's mind, Blomkamp films almost in the style of a video game; camera angles, animation and all. For the animation, think "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) but less comic book-like.

Naturally, when Carly begins to go in, the demon begins to creep into her reality and wants to possess her. These are the true horror scenes of the film as they happen whenever Carly goes to sleep and her dreams become all too real.

This is the chance for Blomkamp to flex his horror filmmaking muscles and he does a good job of it because there were genuinely unnerving moments during these sequences.

However, that may not be directly his credit. The horror felt comes from the sound design team, who creates terrifying, uncomfortable sounds when the demon screams as well as in the music. The physical design of the demon is also very unsettling.

With Michael, who is hinted to be the antagonist at first, there is suspicion based on previous films that he wants to extract the demon and use it for some sorts, just like any military/scientific villain wants to use a monster or special power for their or their country's gain.

However, that is not the case as Blomkamp reveals their true purpose, which won't be spoiled, but is cool and very much his style.

There's no denying the film has weak aspects, particularly in the characterization and occasional acting, but it really isn't bothersome when the story is so unique and the filmmaking is strong.

Those who don't like "style over substance" will likely be disappointed but for someone who doesn't mind it sometimes, it's enjoyable.

The film's third act feels like the final boss fight in a video game as the demon becomes fully into Carly's world and full personified. It even has special armor as in a video game.

To some this may seem silly and overplayed, but it really is not and is very experimental.

Overall, "Demonic" is definitely a Neill Blomkamp film, so his fans should love it, it's paced incredibly well, feeling shorter than an hour and 45 minutes, and it is a genuinely creepy horror film at parts, but the real price of admission here is its originality.

That's hard to find these days.