The Overlook: Demonic

(imdb.com)

A recent trend in horror movies is uniting criminal investigations to exorcisms. Movies like The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Deliver Us from Evil and Fox's The Exorcist TV series paired cops and detectives with ongoing or aftermath discoveries of butchered victims, occult symbols and often, a couple survivors. While sometimes repetitive, these movies and shows offer fresh takes on humans interacting with demons and the devil. That's why 2015's Demonic is worth a watch.

Recently added to Netflix, Demonic follows a group of friends who enter a haunted house and get more than they bargain for. Alongside these flashbacks are a detective and psychologist attempting to solve the eventual massacre of the teens. Demonic stars Maria Bello (Secret Window) and Frank Grillo (Warrior) as psychologist Elizabeth Klein and Detective Mark Lewis, respectively. Cody Horn (End of Watch), Dustin Milligan (Schitt's Creek), Scott Mechlowicz (EuroTrip) and Megan Park (What If) play the group of teens, with Milligan starring as troubled young man with disturbing dreams. His character John, Horn's Michelle and Mechlowicz's Bryan are the only remaining members of the party upon the police's arrival.

Demonic has a lot of flaws. From some shaky acting from supporting characters to some mediocre story points, there's a lot to criticize. But at its center, there's still something entertaining about this movie. Milligan is absolutely fantastic as the central character and possible murderer - even if his character has some inconsistencies. Had the filmmakers left him more solemn throughout, rather than give him some jokey moments, his character would be even more solidified.

Additionally, the nonchronological storyline, while interesting comes with its own host of issues. Most importantly, the aftermath scenes are far more entertaining than the typical and at times, overly conventional teens-exploring-a-haunted-house ones. But, while this film could have fallen completely into the waste basket, these later scenes mostly focusing on Bello's and Grillo's characters provide plenty of buffers. Both Bello and Grillo bring a heightened level of acting to some of the weaker characters and cast.

This movie isn't perfect. But, in a constant craving for more, horror fans can rest assured that empty space will be filled. It's a movie that revels in its basic functions, but provides enough jump scares and star power to drive it home. Demonic is a great choice for a casual afternoon, even if not necessarily a horror-filled night.

 

 

 

Best in Show: Horror Shorts (Pt. II of II)

5. Bedfellows

Like Tuck Me In, Bedfellows is sure to make sleep just that much more difficult. There's something about bed time and the ominous nature of the possibilities of something being in your bed that is just so terrifying and this short capitalizes on these fears. Featuring a jolt ending that'll take your breath away, Bedfellows is a lean and tight scare that'll probably stick around long after its runtime.

4. Blackout

 Is there any fear more primal than that of darkness? The answer is no and for good reason. Darkness - even in familiar settings - feels foreign - this is why Blackout is so effective. The absence of familiarity and security created by darkness, especially if that darkness is cast upon you suddenly and by an unknown action is so terrifying that when it happens in Blackout viewers will instantly know something is very wrong. Like many horror shorts, this one also includes an amazing final jump scare, so grip your seat tightly and get ready.

3. Light Out

By far the most well-known on the list, it goes without saying that Lights Out is a standout. While the movie expands and changes up the mythology created by the original short, it's tiny beginnings certainly impress. From the end jump scene to the shadowy figure visible only through backlighting, Lights Out catapulted horror shorts to a larger audience. Points are additionally given for the actress who also stars in the not as good, but still scary, Pictured (They're both directed by David Sandberg). There's really not more to be said, if you know someone who hasn't seen it, make them.

2. Vicious

Both Vicious and Blackout use similar styles and means to scare audiences. From quiet observances into the dark to simplistic and grounded camera work, each intends to terrify and do so with success. But, what makes Vicious just that much better is an added element of home invasion. There is something so innately terrifying about the character's realization that someone broke into her home and could possibly still be there. It is one of my biggest fears and is one of the most practical short horror films available as it opts for fear over any other cinematic prowess. From start to end, Vicious is, well, vicious.

1. The Smiling Man

While Vicious is incredibly scary, it is The Smiling Man that takes this list cake. Equally suspenseful as it is well done, I would argue that more than any other movie on this list, this short's mythology could and should be made into a feature length. The little girl is a terrific actress and as she presses forward on a trail of balloons, The Smiling Man is able to engross viewers. It's the type of horror short that will legitimately be trapped in your brain, preventing sleep for the days following. The end reveal is one of the most horrific and terrifying moments in modern horror as audiences and the little girl try to cope as to what is in their face. Is the smiling man a crazed person or some supernatural entity? That is something a feature length film, if well-done, could explore.

 

 

Best in Show: Horror Shorts (Pt. I of II)

Spending far too much time mining YouTube as well as various other sites listing greatest short horror films, the list below sums up the scariest and best horror shorts out there. Regardless of cinematography, quality of acting or the end result these are the strongest horror films for a quick jolt or a long-term haunt. Whereas many of the videos I found pulled more toward art than toward horror, the videos below are truly scary.

10. Ghost Car

Iconic is an understatement. If you went to school in the internet age, chances are one of your friends showed you this video as a prank. Regardless of how it has stood the test of time (it hasn't), this "car commercial" is perhaps one of the greatest short horror films out there. It's so simple and yet, I can guarantee witnessing it brings back all of the now comical nostalgia of youth. This video isn't fantastic in any way, but it most certainly did the job if you got someone to sit down and watch it, especially if they hadn't seen the title or read the description.

9. Pictured

I placed Pictured on this list for one technique: its use of a shaking picture frame. The acting in this short film isn't great, the eventual graphics aren't either - but, what is great is the moment in which the young woman whips toward the picture frame to see it in motion, something out of frame propelling it. It's one of those moments that strike a deep chord. Pictured falls apart outside of this, but  the work done by a shaking picture frame is worthy enough to scare people the same way mirrors have since the beginning of time.

8. Tuck Me In

Tuck Me In is a disturbing little film. While not the end all be all of horror, this short does enough of a good job to make adults question whether or not they feel comfortable checking under the bed themselves. One of the best parts about Tuck Me In is its ability to create strong suspense within a limited amount of time. While some horror movies take entire runtimes to create an atmosphere of seat-grabbing, this short does it in a matter of seconds, and by the inconclusive ending, audiences will feel severely frightened and desperately unsatisfied.

7. Cop Cam

This short feels very conventional, but it's carry through is powerful enough to earn a spot on this list. After acting on a 911 alert, a cop enters a home and soon realizes there is more at work within than a typical emergency. There's little establishment, but the difficulties of this are overcome by the first-person perspective of this dark film. Cop Cam is stylized almost like a horror video game in that it truly immerses the viewer in whatever world it exists in. Definitely one to watch in the dark.

 6. Box (Begins at 3:42)

As one of the 3:07 videos partnered by Vice and The Conjuring, Box is a strikingly short and horrifying video with very little context and plenty to give someone nightmares. It's directed by Ti West and features no plot, tons of vintage style and a creepy clown that gives It a run for its money. It's the type of gif-able short that does better in a series than it possibly would as a standalone video, but after seeing it, one can expect to be severely unsettled.