Demon
Dir: Marcin Wrona
Starring: Itay Tiran, Agnieszka Zulewska, Andrzej Grabowski, Tomasz
Schuchardt, Adam Woronowicz, and Cezary Kosinski
Everything that happened after the vows on my wedding day is
a bit of blur. The whirlwind reception that consisted of meet-and-greets with
family and friends went by in a flash. So whenever a newly engaged couple asks
me for advice about their wedding day, I tell them to remember to eat their
dinner.
A wedding is the setting for director Marcin Wrona’s film
“Demon”, a satire and also a horror film that evokes Polish history and culture
to compose a remarkable genre-bending feature.

While the premise may seem very reminiscent of a horror
film, exorcism and ghost story films especially, this genre plays merely a
supporting character in a film that is more interested in utilizing compositions
of culture and tradition and mixing it with history. When one of the few scary
moments happens, it’s utilized more as a setup for something comedic or for
nothing more than a distraction for the audience. Surprisingly, there are
moments that are genuinely creepy all in the quietest way.

Itay Tiran gives a great performance as Piotr; the slow
transformation from wedding groom into a possessed person is layered with
exceptional touches. Also good, and very funny, is Andrzej Grabowski who plays
the father of the bride. The performance is both manic and restrained, a
character that goes to great effort to keep control of the uninhibited party
while also keeping his reputation intact.
“Demon” is a different although refreshing genre film. While
is doesn’t indulge in its horror conventions like most films would, the film
instead deals with the effects of horrific events on people and how it changes
and influences culture over time. Marcin Wrona’s talent as a director is
undeniable; unfortunately Mr. Wrona’s life was cut short, his death was ultimately
ruled a suicide, just as this film was about to premiere. “Demon” is the kind
of film that displays how a creative artist can transform genre into something
that evokes different emotions while also having something powerful to
proclaim.
Monte’s Rating
4.25 out of 5.00
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