Demons 2 (1986) Review​

 

Demons 2 (1986) brings the chaos of the demon invasion into a new, confined setting, trading the movie theatre from the first film for a hi-tech high-rise apartment block. Directed again by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento, the film follows demons breaking through into the real world via a television broadcast. 

Like many 80s sequels, it doesn't follow a strict narrative continuation of the first film. It starts with several teens who trespass into a city that was deserted and walled off due to the demon outbreak from the first film, but in reality, it's a film within a film being viewed. The result is a night of terror for the building's residents, who become bloodthirsty monsters as the demonic infection spreads.

The cast, including David Knight, Nancy Brilli, Virginia Bryant, Antonio Cantafora and a young Asia Argento in her debut film. The film includes two familiar faces from the original. Bobby Rhodes, who played Tony the pimp in the first movie, returns as Hank, a completely different character, while Lino Salemme reappears as a security guard. Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni plays Sally Day, a nod to the original, as the actress Sally Day portrayed the character of Liz in Demons (1985).

Borrowing heavily from Shivers (1975) in its apartment block setting, with visual echoes of Videodrome (1983) Bava ramps up the gore, stunts, and monster effects, with action sequences that are bigger and bloodier. However, it lacks the simplicity and raw effectiveness of its predecessor. While the first film's heavy metal soundtrack gave it a relentless edge, Simon Boswell's choice of 80s pop-rock and new wave bands provides a different atmosphere-less aggressive but more moody and frenetic. Despite these changes, the film still delivers a solid dose of 80s horror fun.

Overall, while it lacks the simplicity and effectiveness of the first (and isn't a linear sequel), Bava's offering oozes atmosphere, featuring gruesome practical effects and a sense of relentless dread that still make it an entertaining ride.