Demons (1985)

A group of random people are invited to a screening of a mysterious movie, only to find themselves trapped in the theater with ravenous demons.

Director:

Lamberto Bava

Writers:

Dardano Sacchetti (original story), Dario Argento (screenplay)

Stars:

Urbano Barberini, Natasha Hovey, Karl Zinny

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Urbano Barberini	...	George
Natasha Hovey	...	Cheryl
Karl Zinny	...	Ken
Fiore Argento	...	Hannah
Paola Cozzo	...	Kathy
Fabiola Toledo	...	Carmen
Nicoletta Elmi	...	Ingrid, the usherette
Stelio Candelli	...	Frank
Nicole Tessier	...	Ruth
Geretta Geretta	...	Rosemary (as Geretta Giancarlo)
Bobby Rhodes	...	Tony
Guido Baldi	...	Tommy
Bettina Ciampolini	...	Nina
Giuseppe Mauro Cruciano	...	Hot Dog (as Giuseppe Cruciano)
Sally Day	...	Liz

Storyline

Art imitating art is the basis of this demonic tale of a group of invited guests who are granted a free lunch in the form of a screening of a horror film that brings naturalism to life. Baited and penned in, this walled-in feeling quickly turns to screams and fear as those who are dead lust after the flesh of those living. The free lunch has turned full circle in the cinema of hell and it is only a question of time before the demons from the abyss are asking for second portions.

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Plot Keywords:

survival horror | demon | movie theatre | demonic possession | film projector | 

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Taglines:

They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs.

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

30 May 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Demons

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$1,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DACFILM Rome

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (Europe) Mono (US version)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The building used for the exteriors of the Metropol theater still stands in Berlin. It's a club called Goya that's been host to several horror conventions thanks to its appearance in this film.

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Goofs

When the helicopter first crashes through the ceiling into the cinema, the casing around the base of the rotor blades is missing or broken off, but in the very next shot it is in place and intact.

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Quotes

[Tony and several other patrons have discovered one of the prostitutes face down on the stage. She has a huge neck wound from Rosemary's attack]
Tony the Pimp: There's some kind of madman loose in here!
[the prostitute's fingernails begin to develop claws]
Tony the Pimp: Son of a bitch! Shit!
[Now the woman's front teeth are falling out, and long, sharp fangs grow in to replace them. Her eyes have also become bloodshot]
Tony the Pimp: Get out! Everybody get away!
[the theater's patrons flee in a panic up the stairs]

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Alternate Versions

The Canadian video release on the Norstar label is the censored-for-Ontario version and is missing a few minutes of graphic footage.

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Connections

References 4 mosche di velluto grigio (1971)

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Soundtracks

We Close Our Eyes
Written by Peter Cox and Richard Drummie
Performed by Go West
Courtesy of Chrysalis

User Reviews

Now this is a horror movie!

Watching "Demons" I came to the conclusion that, no matter how many of the "Scream" films they make, nothing compares to this horror flick!. I'm not saying it's the greatest horror flick of all time. But it certanly entertains, and scares the hell out of you. Even after several viewings. The setting for the film is just right.The music terrific too! honestly I've seen this flick like 1000 times. And it still freaks me out. I've not seen parts 3 or 4 yet but from the reviews I've heard, they sound pretty interesting, so I'm certanly going to track them both down. For those of you who think that the 90's versions of horror films are the only saving grace to this genre, do yourself a favour catch a few of the 80's horror flicks like "Demons" they are what horror movies should be!