MOVIE REVIEW
Demon Behind the Glass
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Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 22m
Director(s): Joshua Recene
Writer(s): Joshua Recene
Cast: Adam Holley, Jessica Nogaret Sedelmeyer, Joshua Sedelmeyer, Tim O’Hearn, Jan Deangelo, Janna Holley, JW Kiefer
Where To Watch: releasing July 16, 2024
RAVING REVIEW: Set in the quiet reaches of upstate New York, DEMON BEHIND THE GLASS is a thriller that combines supernatural elements with investigative journalism. The film sets a compelling stage, transforming an ordinary house into a focal point for paranormal activities. Adam Holley offers a solid performance as Jonathan Birdsall, a journalist seeking redemption through a story with demonic mysteries.
Joshua Recene, both writer and director, navigates through the constraints of indie filmmaking with a vision that tries to transcend its budget. His approach to demonic lore brings some originality, though it sometimes struggles to escape the limitations of its production scale entirely. The narrative evolves from a straightforward investigation to a broader confrontation with the supernatural, blending horror and detective elements to maintain suspense. While Recene aims for visual impact, especially when the supernatural abruptly manifests, these moments can feel somewhat predictable and occasionally lack the intended intensity.
The film’s reliance on character interactions and dialogue to drive the plot sometimes results in an engaging narrative. However, some characters may seem underdeveloped, leaving the viewer wanting more depth. Crucial to the storyline, these interactions occasionally feel forced, detracting from what could otherwise be a more fluid and cohesive storyline.
Moreover, while intriguing, the script sometimes takes on more than it can handle, introducing side plots and characters that overwhelm and can’t offer viewers the depth or resolution they deserve. This leads to a fragmented narrative experience, where critical elements introduced with significance are left underexplored. This lack of depth in weaving characters' personal histories and motivations into the main narrative thread sometimes makes the viewer's journey feel less immersive and emotionally engaging. The film ambitiously attempts to tackle themes of redemption and the existential battle between good and evil. Yet, these themes are only sometimes fleshed out with the clarity or impact they warrant. I don’t want this to feel like I’m nagging about the film's story; it has many intriguing elements but could have used some cleaning up, either in the script itself or editing down some loose ends.
Recene’s attempt to merge investigative drama with horror creates a distinct cinematic experience. Holley’s performance and Recene’s direction position the film within the indie horror scene with a unique engagement that stands out and some of the most memorable creature designs I’ve seen in some time. The film delivers a horror experience that fans of the genre will be sure to appreciate.
Overall, DEMON BEHIND THE GLASS represents a valiant effort by Recene and his team to innovate within indie cinema. The film showcases moments of creativity and attempts to weave a complex story. The film will surely delight some, leaving others scratching their heads. This is how indie filmmaking, specifically in the horror genre, works; you can’t please all the people all the time. If you set your expectations accordingly, you’ll be sure to walk away with some positives.
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[photo courtesy of 2 IN THE CHAMBER, LION HEART DISTRIBUTION]
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