DEMONIC – A Review Of Blomkamp’s Latest

Introduction

For over a dozen years, South-African writer/director Neill Blomkamp has been polarizing audiences worldwide. Blomkamp’s use of handheld cameras, as well as his documentary style of filmmaking and underlying social themes are not for everyone. Regardless, his films make money and generate buzz. The 41 year old director’s 4th feature film sees him venturing into the sci-fi/horror realm in 2021’s Demonic.

Background

Demonic is written, directed, and co-produced by Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Chappie). The film is a Canadian production that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival back in March 2021. Principal photography commenced in the Spring of 2020. This was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was shot primarily in British Columbia.

Knowing Blomkamp’s highly ambitious style and propensity to turn a profit, IFC Midnight quickly bought the US rights to film. IFC Films president Arianna Bocco stated in a press release:

“…Neill Blomkamp exploded onto the filmmaking scene with District 9 and has made his mark by creating films that challenge and subvert the genre…It’s exciting to work together on this highly anticipated new vision, and be immersed in yet another world terrifyingly similar to our own…”

Premise

Our central character Carly (the charismatic Carly Pope) has recently returned to her roots in British Columbia. This after a haunting dream of her mother “Angela” (Nathalie Boltt) setting herself on fire in a sanatorium. She meets old friends and talks of a former friend and possible lover “Martin” (Chris William Martin) who has been texting her, requesting they meet.

The two eventually meet up and that’s where the exposition of Demonic is awkwardly released and the viewer is caught up to speed. Carly’s mother is apparently a convicted felon and in a coma. She’s been brought to the Therapol Corporation where a group of scientists and doctors keeping her alive.

Therapol’s plan is to bring Angela back via a virtual reality simulator that both mother and daughter are plugged into. With Carly entering the mind of her mother, the simple plan is to make contact with Angela, wake her up. Whereby everyone lives happily ever after. Of course, a demon has possessed Angela, wanting to be released into the real world.

Analysis

District 9, released in 2009 was a great start to Blomkamp’s career. The film received universal praise, box-office success. As well as four Academy Award nominations. Like many other directors, Blomkamp has never quite lived up to the high expectations that he was held to, after his debut release.

The thought of the director helming a low budget, sci-fi/horror film was fascinating. The teaser trailer also looked great. The premise of Demonic has a solid concept. However, a good concept is simply not enough. You have to see it through, execute, and stick the landing. Unfortunately, this film does none of these.

Demonic has solid plot twists throughout that unfortunately go nowhere. To the point that the film’s structure starts to fall apart and not make sense in the third act. Another factor is that the film just isn’t that scary. It doesn’t help that since these characters are in a virtual world, we never really feel threatened while in that world.

The Cast

One thing that can certainly be said about Demonic is that this is Carly Pope’s movie and she carries the film on her shoulders. Pope is seen in almost every single shot of the film. Blomkamp had worked with Pope in 2013’s Elysium, and the director clearly feels comfortable with her. This is evidenced by the many closeup shots throughout the film of Pope’s face.

The actors surrounding Pope in supporting roles aren’t given much to work with. As a result, their performances are unmemorable. Chris William Martin in a supporting role is adequate. The actor has appeared in such shows as The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural. Terry Chen as the sympathetic tattooed doctor turns in a stilted performance, but that’s more the script than his abilities as an actor.

Michael Rogers, who is playing the stereotypical “baddie” from the second he shows up on screen, is dialing it up to 11. He chews up the dialogue and appears to be having a lot of fun as the films plot starts to spiral out of control. Nathalie Boltt, who is a Blomkamp regular, has what amounts to as an extended cameo as Carly’s possessed mother.

Conclusion

Demonic is at its core a science fiction movie. Yet, it wants desperately to be a horror movie, but fails. Because the film is set in a virtual world, there is an underlying lack of tension throughout. The movie never recovers from this. While the technology used to create the films “virtual” world is impressive. It doesn’t save Demonic from collapsing in on its complicated and convoluted plot.

The second act of Demonic is strong, and really where the film peaks. As stated, the film is not particularly scary, but there is one nightmare sequence in the second act that is horrifying. Unfortunately, the film never builds on this, and instead dumps more exposition on the viewer which makes everything all the more confusing. Glaring plot holes are left unaddressed.

Whether Demonic finds its audience and turns a profit – in this post-COVID world – remains to be seen. The film certainly LOOKS good. Also, Pope in the lead role is a smart choice. She is a charismatic and engaging actress. Blomkamp has always turned a profit on his films, even if not critical darlings. It also helps that IFC Midnight, under the umbrella of AMC Networks will be marketing this film in the US.

Demonic will be released in theaters on August 20, 2021. The film will also drop on video-on-demand a week later, on August 27, 2021.

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