Looking for Evil Spirits “Demon House”

 

 

 

 

 

Review by John Delia, Sr.

When you hear about a horror movie that’s a documentary the first one that comes to mind is Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity both of which are not documentaries. Demon House on the other hand credit’s itself as a full fledged real life documentary. The writer and director Zak Bagans, a paranormal investigator best known for his “Ghost Adventures” on cable TV, takes you into his world and it isn’t just a walk in the park.

From the get go the film warns you to view the film at your own risk! Now there’s a caution that’s been used in various ways to promote an audience like the movie Paranormal Activity that warns the audience “Do not see it alone” or Poltergeist that warns you “It knows what scares you” or The Ring that touts “Before you die you see the ring”. Having said that, the trailer alone bothered me with Zak Bagans first line “This film is cursed.”

Director and writer Bagans opens his film explaining that for the past 13 years he has investigated over 1000 hauntings, some of which are the basis for his “Ghost Adventures” shown on cable TV’s Travel Channel. He then goes into the facts of the film that involve his purchasing a house that he discovered from a news report. The TV hosts said there were several weird things going on in the home like a child sliding up a wall untouched and ghost sightings. There has even been a couple of exorcisms for the family members.

Bagans purchases the house and sets up his cameras to see if he can find the root of the paranormal activity. He even interviews the previous owners who were involved with the reports, talks to the priest who did the exorcism and explores the cellar where he finds some evidence. The film uses authentic material, even film shot by police when they investigated the happenings in the home. What makes this even more realistic, he chats with Valerie Washington the Case Manager who worked with the family and she is convinced there’s an evil spirit present.

Now, I am no paranormal investigator, I’m far from it being a film critic who depends on writers who make up a lot of stories so moviegoers can be entertained. If I were to call this one, I’d have to say Bagans has done his homework and seems to be presenting most all of the facts. That said however, so did the people who made The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, The Exorcist and many other creepy movies. So on this one, you’ll have to be the judge.

I will say this, the film is very spooky with the excellent sound effects, music and cinematography. So if you like this type of film, throw a sheet over your head, cut two holes for the eyes and turn your TV to VOD and watch Demon House when it comes to your cable. If not there’s always an alternative, buy yourself a haunted house and explore it yourself.

Demon House has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains rude and crude language, scary sequences and intense violence. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for youngsters. And, you do not want a youngster having nightmares.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fairly good presentation of paranormal activity. (3.5 out of 5 stars)

Additional Film Information
Cast: Zac Bagans, Billy Tolley, Jay Wasley
Directed and written by: Zac Bagans
Genre: Documentary, Horror
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains violence and language
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
Release Date: March 16, 2018
Released in: VOD and Digital HD