This 4K Ultra HD release is currently available from Synapse Films. It can also be purchased as a standalone Blu-ray.
A few years back in 2021, Synapse released a wonderful “Special Edition” Blu-ray box set of Demons and its sequel, Demons 2. I reviewed the Blu-ray package and it was so good that it was hard to imagine a better version ever being released. Naturally, it sold out quickly and has been hard to find since then. Thanks to Synapse, you can now pick up “Standard Edition” 4K Ultra HD disc or Blu-rays of these films individually. Despite the name, there’s nothing standard about these discs, which contain all the supplemental material from the past edition. It’s incredible.
But first, a little history on the picture itself. If you were a kid back in the 80s who liked horror, the video store was likely your favorite place in the world. Seemingly every week, new genre titles would appear on shelves out of the blue, just waiting to be picked up. Many of the flicks were, well, quite poor, but as a youth it was hard to resist giving just about any terror title a rental. During this period, the country of Italy had made a name for itself as an impressive producer of genre flicks, thanks to cult filmmakers like Dario Argento (Deep Red, Suspiria) and Lucio Fulci (Zombie, The Beyond). By this period, Argento was so well known that he could sell a horror flick on his name alone.
Demons (1985) and Demons 2 (1986) were directed by Lamberto Bava (son of famed Italian horror movie director Mario Bava), but both were co-written and produced by Dario Argento. In fact, Argento’s name was printed on the film’s poster in bold letters almost as large as the title. The advertising approach ultimately worked and the movies were a hit both in their homeland and abroad (although in North America, its success came primarily through VHS sales and rentals).
Demons certainly made an impression on me as a youngster. Also known as Demoni, this feature tells the story of two friends (Natasha Hovey and Paola Cozzo) who receive horror movie preview tickets from a strange man (Michele Soavi) at a Berlin train station. They decide to attend the event and meet up with several eccentric patrons, including love interests, as well as a pimp and his hookers, a blind man and his adulterous wife, and even some cocaine-sniffing punks. As the movie unspools onscreen, the horror extends into the theater itself. It seems that the props on display in the lobby are capable of transforming the theatergoers into real, fast-moving demonic monsters. Those who aren’t turned immediately are forced to fight their way to safety. Even more trouble arises when they realize they have all been locked inside.
It’s a very simple story with little to no fat on its bones, focused entirely on action as the group are pursued and slain through the cinema while searching for a way out. Some of the acting (or, more to the point, English dubbing) is amusingly less-than-stellar, but the technical specs are excellent and the pacing is perfect. The movie looks far more slickly shot and edited than other films of its era, with impressive camera moves, as well as strikingly lit scenes with vibrant colors that bounce off of the screen.
Additionally, Sergio Stivaletti’s make-up effects are memorably gruesome and there are some phenomenal transformation sequences. The movie also includes a few nasty attacks, including tearing flesh and eye-gougings that’ll “gross out” most viewers. Additionally, there’s a memorable climax in which a motorcycle sitting in the lobby is used by the protagonists to ride around and fight back against the monsters. The logic of the story doesn’t hold up at all and it’s extremely gory, but it doesn’t ever matter. Despite the gruesomeness, it’s strangely good-natured and I can’t help but love the film. This is a wild and crazy ride and the movie works exceptionally well in that regard.
Yes, the transfer on the previous Blu-ray (remastered in 4K from the original camera negative) was outstanding, but to actually see this full 4K Ultra HD version is even better. There’s a very fine level or grain here that is barely noticeable and everything looks as clear and sharp as possible. It’s incredible and the look of the movie really is something of a marvel given the film’s low-budget.
As with the previous version, you also get two versions of the film. There is the extra-gory full-length cut in English and Italian, as well as the shorter US version that features some alternate dubbing and sound effects. Obviously, viewers will be purchasing this title to watch the complete versions, but for those who remember renting the movie on VHS, it’s great to have the option of watching the alternate cut.
The bonuses for this single film edition have all been ported over and are stellar. There’s a fantastic commentary featuring director Lamberto Bava, special-effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, composer Claudio Simonetti (from the band Goblin) and cast member Geretta Geretta (who plays the first character to turn into a demon and hunt down fellow moviegoers). It’s a friendly and informal chat, but many interesting questions are addressed about the movie and how it was made.
Some of the funny details include the fact that the costuming department had to make far more sets of clothes for the cast of than normal because of the constant blood being sprayed around the set. Bava also talks about how the crew managed to move a large helicopter into a real movie theater to shoot the climax, as well as his experiences working with Dario Argento. Composer Claudio Simonetti comments on his memorable score and what inspired the up-tempo, dance-inspired sound. The track is a great listen and offers plenty of great trivia from the participants.
There’s also a second audio commentary featuring the co-hosts of the Hell’s Belles podcast. Clearly, they’re both big fans of the movie and talk about why they enjoy the Demons series so much. They offer their analysis of story elements as well as some of the themes running through the movies. There are some intriguing ideas expressed. Although, while some of the concepts about how the viewing public consumes and are influenced by media may have been intended, other assertions sound like a bit of a stretch. Still, these critics are both entertaining to listen to.
Further extras include an excellent, informative visual essay on Dario Argento’s career as a producer and the titles he helped get made (including a couple of his own) under his DAC film company. It largely deals with the filmmaker’s early success and how he used it to help get some projects off the ground, including co-financing George A. Romero’s 1978 zombie epic, Dawn of the Dead. The spot also details his brother Claudio Argento’s experience as a producer and assistance behind the scenes.
A discussion with Argento himself is included too, and he is very frank about his experiences as a producer. Essentially, he notes that he was certainly pleased to help others out in creating their films, but maintains that he never really enjoyed being a producer. And there is a second featurette with Argento in which he specifically discusses his work on the Demons series. It’s very enlightening and these bonuses give more details about a lesser-known aspect of famed moviemaker’s career. Additionally, there is an interview with composer Claudio Simonetti, another feature on the songs licensed and used in the film, as well as plenty of publicity materials.
So, yes, if you missed the original Synapse Films now out-of-print 4K Ultra HD or Blu-ray double-feature box (or only want the first movie in the series), you can now pick it up. Or, if you enjoy Italian genre films or the work on Dario Argento, you should purchase it. And if you simply appreciate horror movies that are utterly bonkers yet stylish and employ incredible practical make-up effects, this is also for you. \
The 4K Ultra HD edition of Demons is a winner.