Gorehounds Unite!

Demonsamongus is a dark and creepy horror set in rural Victoria, Australia on the eve of Christmas in the small isolated town of Miranda Falls. Joe Melton has just moved into town, retreating from the hectic life of the city to write his thesis on the dangers of advertising and mass consumption.

Miranda Falls is a beautiful and quiet country town, but not for long! Joe soon discovers an evil presence lurking both in the dark forest and in his home. Being chased by demons and suspected of murder, Joe becomes a man on the run. The only other person to witness the devil's work first hand is a local girl by the name of Kylie Fitzgerald. She is unwillingly swept up in Joe's desperate plight and together they must try to survive the ensuing horror.

Ed Winters, a psychotic advertising executive living in America, is drawn back to this small Aussie town to investigate the brutal murder of his ex-wife and family, only to find the devil himself. While Joe battles the demons that have taken over the town, the devil must convince Ed to be its host for world domination; Who else but the greatest liar of all time.

What lies in the darkness, and what does it want? Demonsamongus is an exercise in fear and desperation in a world consumed by brands, logos and clichés.

  Think Sam Raimi filming the original Evil Dead while on an acid trip and you have the basic idea of whats in store for you when you watch The Demons Among Us (aka the|Demons|Among|Us & thedemonsamongus). We begin the film normally enough with our hero Joe moving to the country for a little peace and quiet. Soon after arriving however Joe finds that all is not well in Miranda Falls! Joe stumbles upon  bodies everywhere he turns and is suspected of murder by everyone!  Soon he finds out that he's up against a Demon horde from hell and the earth may be at it's end......The demons are among us indeed!

 Luckily Joe is able to show another young girl he meets that night that it is indeed demons and not him commiting the grisly murders, together they must try to survive the night and save the world! Only one problem.......Joe's gone Bat-shit crazy and along with his talking axe strikes out to take down the foul denizens of evil and harbringers of doom!

  The film is played pretty much straight with alot of black laced gory humor ala one of Peter Jacksons early films. Really the film play out like a huge love letter to the masters of the genre we love so much. It's full of homages to Evil Dead, NOTLD, DOTD, Brain Damage, Aliens, and a slew of others! The funny thing is it all feels so fresh and original thanks to Stuart Simpsons excellent direction and the cast and crews perfect delivery.

 Watching this film is like watching the birth of a new legend in the horror genre's circle of  directors. Simpson uses the camera like a brush and the screen is his canvas......and I dont use that lightly. His use of camera angles,lighting, transitions, fades, computer effects, and different filming styles keep the film interesting and action packed to the very end. There is always something compelling on the screen and the strangeness never gets to the point of being annoying.  I'd have to say this film in the hands of most other directors would have come off as very annoying and Ive seen other films attempt to use the same techniques and make the film unwatchable.

 Likewise the cast really knew their characters as they were played to perfection. Nathaniel Kiwi as Joe brings a very ash like feel to his character which he plays very straight but with just the right dash of camp. He really does remind me of a young Bruce Campbell just with a slightly less imposing chin. The rest of the crew also deserve a huge bump to their future salaries as they all played their characters perfectly and never took me out of that films world. Not to mention the Aussie women are all very charming and beautiful........

 One of the most striking things for me was the fact that even though this isnt the type of film known for it but included quite a few messages/social commentaries ala George A Romero interwoven into the script. The filmmakers touched on rampant commercialism in our society today (and even a little comment on the US as well I believe) as well as a few touches on religion as well. It really added a smartness and intelligence to the already fun and interesting script.

 The one probem I found with the film for which I will have to deduct a half a point is the ending......I found it to be really anti-climactic and while it left me wanting more it also left me feeling that they just really didnt know how to wrap it up or they ran out of money toward the end of shooting. Although I am excited to see theres room for a sequel.....

  This is a film any true horror buff needs to see...... The Demons Among Us is that rare bloody diamond in the rough that the horror genre sees maybe once every five years or so. Now this diamond just needs to be discovered by you.....the true horror fans.

 Anyone with even a passing interest in Horror films or just cinema in genral needs to pick up The Demons Among Us as it's a virtual class on how to do it right. This is the most unique and stylish films to grace the horror genre in many years and if there is a god this film will be released to US audiences and get the exposure they need and deserve!

Visit the official website here: http://www.demonsamongus.com/index.htm

Order the DVD from here: http://myflix.com.au/store/demons-among-us.html

Visit the official Myspace page here: http://www.myspace.com/demonsamongusthemovie

RATING:

4 1/2 out of 5 Severed Heads!

And A Gorehound's Unite! Seal Of Approval!