Angela (Linnea Quigley), a self-proclaimed party girl, throws a Halloween bash at an abandoned funeral home with her friends, Suzanne (Amanda Wyss) and Kasi (Phyllis Diller). The party quickly gets out of hand when the guests start playing a game of “Bloody Mary,” summoning a demonic force that takes over their bodies and souls.
As the partygoers become possessed one by one, they turn on each other in a bloody frenzy. Angela, the last remaining survivor, must find a way to reverse the curse before the demons consume her completely.
Night of the Demons is a wild ride from start to finish. The party scene is full of energy and the possessed characters are downright terrifying. The gore is plentiful and the kills are creative. Quigley is great as the feisty Angela, and Diller steals the show as the wise-cracking Kasi.
Music is good and works well to set the scene, as are incidental sound f/x. Gore and nastiness are done to a very adequate standard other than a few places which look a tad false. Good ole Linnea Quigley’s lipstick munching nipple looks a tad rubbery, but maybes that’s down to some cheapo plastic surgery?
What really makes the film work is the way in which it handles creating the oppressive atmosphere of being trapped and hunted. Everything along that line is handled well, with something constantly happening to crank up the tension a notch, be it the demons doing something, a door locking itself, or just a well used sound effect. It really does pull off that trapped, scared, death is waiting type scenario well.
Roger irritated the fuck out of me though. What a whining bastard! Oh by god, was I praying for something shit and nasty to happen to him as quickly as possible just so that the fecker would shut up whining and weeping and running away like a frightened rabbit. Not that I am nasty or anything, but I’d buy any demon who gutted that tosser a slap up meal at the local take away.
It’s a fun film with plenty going on – at least once it picks up the pace. It takes a little while to get going, but once it does then it grabs you in and works hard and being spooky and gory. Very fun indeed, and it did spawn a couple sequels, one of which features a ninja nun with killer rosaries!
If you’re in the mood for a good, old-fashioned horror flick, Night of the Demons is the perfect choice. Just don’t expect to sleep soundly afterwards.
Synopsis
Angela Franklin is throwing a party at Hull House, an abandoned mortuary, in honor of her birthday. She has invited her friends, Suzanne, Lily, and Judi, as well as a number of other people. However, things take a turn for the worse when, during a game of truth or dare, Angela and her friends summon a demon.
The demon, which takes the form of a beautiful woman, then proceeds to possess the partygoers one by one. As the night wears on, the demon grows stronger and the partygoers weaker. As the demon begins to feast on their souls, the remaining partygoers must find a way to stop it before it’s too late.
Night of the Demons is a suspenseful and gory horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a classic example of ’80s horror at its best.
Movie Details
Director: Kevin Tenney
Writer: Kevin Tenney
Actors: Amelia Kinkade, Linnea Quigley, Allison Barron
Release Year: 1988