Hooptober 11: Your Vice is Locked Room in an Old Dark House and Only I Have the Chainsaw
#7: 6 countries (1)
Shudder

This Australian demonic possession jam has a similar vibe to last year’s WHEN EVIL LURKS. They’re both very dark and they both get right into it. THE DEMON DISORDER tells the story of three brothers dealing with a history of demonic possession. As the film progresses we learn more about their past experiences with their father, who succumbed to a demonic “infection.” This is an obvious allegory for mental illness/addiction and the generational trauma both cause but it never gets heavy handed. 

The practical effects really shine here. Instead of speaking in tongues and yelling in an old man’s voice like 99% of possession films, the victim gets a growth or wound on their body that keeps growing until it forms into its own demonic fetus. That rules. 

There isn’t a ton of character development however. Since it gets right into the possession, the story can be a bit jarring at times and I found myself wondering why I should even care about what’s happening during a few stretches. Still, it’s a very good directorial debut for Steven Boyle, whose background in makeup and effects really shines here. I’m excited to see what he does next.