Demons
Performance & Direction: Demons Review
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Demons (1985) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Demons features a noteworthy lineup led by Urbano Barberini . Supported by the likes of Natasha Hovey and Karl Zinny , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Demons
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1985, Demons is a Horror film directed by Lamberto Bava. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Urbano Barberini.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. 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. Director Lamberto Bava uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Urbano Barberini's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: Demons
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Lamberto Bava, Demons concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Urbano Barberini, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Demons reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Demons?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Urbano Barberini or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: Demons
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Demons Budget
The estimated production budget for Demons is $1.8M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Demons
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Where to Watch Demons Online?
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CultpixDemons Parents Guide & Age Rating
1985 AdvisoryWondering about Demons age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Demons is 89 minutes (1h 29m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, Demons is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1985 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Demons worth watching?
Demons is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Demons parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Demons identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Demons?
The total duration of Demons is 89 minutes, which is approximately 1h 29m long.
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Critic Reviews for Demons
This was beautiful. It must be a strange experience, being a child of a great director, and following the very same genre. Do you go pretty much the same route, or try something vastly different? This would make a great double-bill, at an actual movie theatre, with the 50's edition of 'The Blob'--another film in which the cinema isn't the safe, dark, womb-like place we take for granted it is.
It's no _Night of the_ that's for sure, but I enjoyed it in parts. Paricularly fond of the coke punks and the pimp. Dubbing's a nightmare though. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
Metropol Mayhem! Demons (Demoni) is directed by Lamberto Bava and Bava co-writes the screenplay with Dario Argento, Dardano Sacchetti and Franco Ferrini. It stars Urbano Barberini, Natasha Hovey, Karl Zinny, Paola Cozzo, Fiore Argento and Geretta Giancarlo. Music is by Claudio Simonetti and cinematography by Gianlorenzo Battaglia. A wonderfully nutty spiced Spaghetti Horror, plot has a group of people trapped in a Berlin movie theatre that suddenly comes under attack by ravenous demons. It could reasonably be argued that Bava's movie has some cheeky narrative depth underneath the gloop and schlock, this is after all purposely set in a movie theatre and features a film that basically becomes real, sort of. But really it's a pic that's set up for like minded horror buffs to feast upon, to jump head first into its feverish horror comic book glee. The script is as poor as the dubbing is, with a roll call of cardboard cut out characters and loose end scenarios jettisoned in readiness for the next plasmatic explosive sequence. Yet the care free abandon of the gruesome killings on show, and the rapid pace of it all, ensures it's a fun packed ride. Even the musical score is schizo as it ranges from typical 1980s synth plods to heavy metal thunder - joyous. 7/10
The Italian horror movies of the 80s was a genre in itself, could be violent giallos, or supernatural horror, or cannibal movies, at the time we were really both horrified but also mesmerised. With a simple story, Argento (story) and Bava (director) have people going to see a movie about demons and the demons come to life. But it's done well as a woman gets her face scratched by a mask and the same thing happens in the movie, several times what happens in reality also happens in the movie. Chaos enues fast as mre and more people are contaminated, and the heroes (and other characters we like too) try to save their lives. A lot of gore scenes (practical effects) are in this movie, not hesitationg to cut heads or limbs and spread liters of blood (either red or green or yellow). When you're into the movie it's a great thrill ride and the 88 minutes go fast.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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