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Natasha Hovey, Urbano Barberini, Fiore Argento, Nicoletta Elmi, Karl Zinny ... see more see more... , Fabiola Toledo , Paolo Cozza , Marcello Modugno , Peter Pitsch , Bobby Rhodes , Enrica Maria Scrivano , Alex Serra , Claudio Spadaro , Michele Soavi , Guido Baldi , Bettina Ciampolini , Stelio Condelli , Giuseppe Cruciano , Sally Day , Geretta Giancarlo , Eliana Hoppe , Jasmine Maimone , Pasqualino Salemme , Nicole Tessier

Italian horror auteur Dario Argento produced and co-wrote (with director Lamberto Bava) this gory, nightmarish horror film set almost entirely within the "Metropol," a huge, cathedral-like Berlin cine... read more read more...ma showing an invitation-only screening of a rather lame slasher film. The difference, of course, is that the cheap scares on the Metropol's screen are child's play compared to the horrors which soon emerge to lay hold of the unsuspecting filmgoers: when a young woman is scratched by part of a display in the theatre lobby, she begins to mutate into a fanged, slavering creature who then attacks other audience members, spreading the demonic infection until only a handful of survivors are forced to combat rampaging armies of inhuman beasts, making the latter portion of the film resemble Night of the Living Dead. A handful of sequels followed; there's a little "reward" for those who stick around for the end credits. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Flixster Users

65% liked it

9,641 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

9 critics

R, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Lamberto Bava

Release Date: October 4, 1985

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DVD Release Date: March 16, 1999

Stats: 758 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (758)


  • June 4, 2011
    Intentionally over-the-top, unintentionally funny and literally oozing with cultish je ne sais quoi.
  • April 15, 2011
    Fantastic movie, it's both scary and funny, it's a lot like zombie movies of the time, but it's about demons instead. The overall story is brilliant, the special effects are disturbingly realistic, and the movie is very exciting. The ending is typical, I expected a little more,... read more but it's fine. I loved this movie, and if you like horror movies, you should see it.
  • April 14, 2011
    What really annoys me, especially in what passes for 'Thrillers' and 'Supernatural Thrillers' these days, is when films try to be too clever. It all started with 'The Sixth Sense', which was, admittedly, quite a good film, when the film contained a 'twist' - a surprise ending tha... read moret explained all the meandering, subliminal guff that went on before it. Luckily, there is none of that in 'Demons', which thankfully contains all the ingredients I require in a film - mindless gore! The plot (what there is of it) centers around visitors to a cinema who have been handed free tickets by a mysterious masked man. I don't really need to write a spoiler, as it's fairly obvious what happens but, needless to say, this film is brilliant. Lots of people die in pretty gruesome circumstances by the 'Demons' of the title. There's lots of blood, lots of slime, lots of fangs, ninja swords, motorbikes, helicopters(don't ask!) and a thumping Metal soundtrack. There has been questions raised as to the relevance of the helicopter scene and why it's there, but who cares? A superb example of why we need horror films - to entertain! WATCH IT!
  • December 27, 2010
    Somebody would easily call this movie a blockbuster only due to the fact it's driven by a heavy metal score and scenes that of course accompany those scenes such as a man with a samurai sword riding down the movie theater on a motorbike with his girlfriend. And this movie was als... read moreo released at the time when all this Heavy metal stuff was big. Then of course I don't really get into it but Metallica has always kept my interest. Then once more it is impossible not to love this movie just so Meany scenes that have no affect on the film.

    Cheryl and Kathy are two American girls living in Berlin but get free movie tickets of some guy in a really wired mask. So like always they go and see the movie only to have a very large crowed of people show up for this massive screening and yes the movie is a very violent horror film. So moving on a girl sticks on this prop mask and cuts her face she runs into the bathroom and it splits open She Is A DEMON. Or a zombie like creature so she infects the other movie goers and there is panic so they all run to the exits and find them bricked up.

    So the story is riddled with plot holes and Meany of your questions will never be answered but look on the bright side it has some of the best scenes you will ever see and will never forget its like the violent none animated version of a Studio Ghibli film. With stuff that just sticks with you such as George on a motorbike slaying all the demons like creatures with a samurai sword and playing a really epic soundtrack.

    And of course the film has like a million elements from other horror movies but this one somehow I can never forget and never will. It's just really simple of a story and movie that I could watch again and again. The acting is really bad along with the Japanese's dub.

    The effects are extremely awesome Mr. Lamberto Bava obversly had a direction of nothing but really simple yet graphic elements and that Helicopter that crashes throw the roof was just like WTF. The soundtrack is the best part any heavily metal fan would love it.

    So I come to a close I think anyone should watch this trust me you will never forget it.
  • November 22, 2010
    I can't believe the amount of gore in this movie, there's tons and it's awesome. The gross out factor is high. It's got a zombie feel, which makes it kinda scary. If they so much as look at you, you're a demon too. Love it. The soundtrack is really good too.
  • October 8, 2010
    Lamberto Bava partners with Dario Argento to create this memorable gorefest. Demons is a film that will definitely appeal to all horror fans. Everything about this film is great. The acting is so-so, but thats a simple detail. With a film like Demon what really matters is the gor... read moree. Theres plenty of it. Long considered a Italian gore classic, Demons is a favorite amongst horror fans for many reasons. The story, like ever other Italian Horror film is quite simple, yet awesome. Tourists in Berlin are invited to a film theatre where a film about Nostradamus is playing. The plot of the film involves people getting turned into demons after wearing a bizarre mask. Then the fun really begins. After one of the audience members trys on the same prop of the mask used in the film, she cuts herself, and she becomes a Demon soon after. All hell breaks loose, and the gorefest is on. Bava and Argento pull out everything for this awesome first entry in the legendary Demons series. The special effects are incredible, asnd will appeal to every gorehound. Demons is a fun surrealistic film to watch. A shocker that will definitely appeal to Argento fans, this is one ride you won't want to miss. Despite the fact that the film is at times cheesy, Demons is a well written horror film with plenty of good things going for it. The stuff that happens in the film is kind of hard to believe, but like I've said the film has a surrealistic mood to it, and it permits Lamberto Bava and Dario Argento to create something totally unique and jawdropping in the process. So if you've never seen this film, do yourself a favor, and watch it now. Demons is an incredible horror film. For Lamberto Bava's directorial debut, it's a very impressive one, only because he is the protege of maestro Dario Argento. Both minds are eccentric and when you've got two tremendous eccentric minds of Horror working together, you get this shock classic.
  • August 21, 2010
    Muahaha! Fantastic madness from Bava jr and Argento. The movie do runs out of gas in some places, since there's barely a story at all, but a movie that plays Accept's Fast as a Shark while somebody is cutting heads with a katana is truly doing something right.
  • July 17, 2010
    10/07/2010 (ONLINE)

    A pretty good scare and quite an interesting change or should I say twist from "Zombies". This time if you get infected you become a demon.

    I remember watching this as a child and being thoroughly freaked for quite some time.

    A horrific experience.
  • November 22, 2009
    Ridiculously fun and enjoyable. It is by far one of the best horror comedies and just pure entertainment. The characters are lovable and often over the top and the story feels like it's right out of a pulp magazine. It is a fantasy for fans of the horror genre and not just a spo... read moreof. It is extremely well shot and has a great style of its own.
  • October 16, 2009
    Fun the the whole demon family!

Critic Reviews


Tim Brayton
October 31, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

A movie that can support the descriptions "awesome!" and "stupid!" in equal measure. Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.
May 25, 2010
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed

A classic party movie that you have to watch with friends and a load of beer because you will not be bored at all... Full Review

David Nusair
October 12, 2007
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...the film's performances, dialogue, and storyline all [suffer] from an unmistakable vibe of incompetence. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
October 4, 2007
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Demons is probably Lamberto's best film, not because it approaches Mario's work, but because it's so ludicrously entertaining. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
July 30, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

It's repetitive and borderline pretentious, without the over-the-top looniness that distinguishes the better Italian splatter. Full Review

Ken Hanke
November 24, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

It doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's not wanting for gore and creepiness.

Widgett Walls
November 11, 2002
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

A guy on a motorcycle careening through a cinema, wielding a katana blade and lopping off heads to the sound of 'Killers on the Attack.' It doesn't get any better than this.

Walter Goodman
August 30, 2004
Walter Goodman, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 11, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Mark Palermo
May 30, 2004
Mark Palermo, Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


    • George: Shit! Another door!

Dèmoni (Demons) : Watch Free on TV


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