This movie stuck with me from my first viewing as a 14 year old, purely through it's originality of style and setting. Even as a 14 year old I thought it was good stuff, and it stuck in my memory. Watching it again at 45 years old I was pleasantly surprised at how much enjoyment I got.
It hits the tone perfectly in many departments and things that should work against it only make it more fun. For example, I have never thought it a good idea to use heavy metal in a horror film as most end credits of 90/00's horror movies do - but the use of it here works. The awful script, ropey acting, heavy metal music just make it all the more campy and entertaining.
When the first demon appears with green foam exploding from her mouth, I couldn't stop laughing, as with most of the gore splatterfest scenes that followed. I'm not sure if this was intentional or whether it's just dated but whatever, it's funny as hell, and in a good way that does not ruin the film.
The difference between the gore in this movie and modern horrors is that this is all done with such a sense of humour that it never becomes too sick or gross. It just looks like they had a great time with as much blood and guts as they could.
The European feel to the film, the locations, including some seriously contrasting 80's red and blue lighting just adds to the campness and the 80's atmosphere, while still leaving the film to be atmospheric and creepy without going into total comedy. The shots of demons approaching with glowing eyes with bright light behind them, or as they approach from the back of the cinema or at the bottom of staircases is creepy as hell, and the use of the cinema space and it's claustrophobia is well done. There are some things that don't make sense but you can easily bypass it and enjoy the story. If there is a weakness, I'd say the middle third of the story when they are all trapped inside can start to wear slightly thin, but at an hour and a half it doesn't labour too long. A delight for horror fans, who like a funny, eerie, well made splatterfest with a difference
The European feel to the film, the locations, including some seriously contrasting 80's red and blue lighting just adds to the campness and the 80's atmosphere, while still leaving the film to be atmospheric and creepy without going into total comedy. The shots of demons approaching with glowing eyes with bright light behind them, or as they approach from the back of the cinema or at the bottom of staircases is creepy as hell, and the use of the cinema space and it's claustrophobia is well done. There are some things that don't make sense but you can easily bypass it and enjoy the story. If there is a weakness, I'd say the middle third of the story when they are all trapped inside can start to wear slightly thin, but at an hour and a half it doesn't labour too long. A delight for horror fans, who like a funny, eerie, well made splatterfest with a difference