Demon Behind The Glass is the first feature of writer-director Joshua Recene. The horror film follows disgraced journalist Jonathan (Adam Holley) as he tries to break back into the business. He plans on doing this by uncovering a big fracking issue in a small upstate New York town. But things quickly go south when Jonathan discovers a corpse in his rental house. Specifically, the dead person is in the bathroom wall. The sheriff (Jan DeAngelo) seems to want to exploit the reporter for money to remove the body. Jonathan does not play ball, so the cadaver stays behind the mirror.
Unfortunately, this slight act of rebellion against a corrupt officer morphs into a nightmare. Soon, strange things start happening that Jonathan cannot explain. As he and whistleblower Debra (Jessica Nogaret) look into what’s happening, they can believe what they uncover. Cults, demons, and curses are the order of the day. Was the corpse in the wall put there on purpose, or was the body a victim? Will Jonathan and Debra be the next victims, or can they escape their grisly fate?
Demon Behind The Glass looks relatively cheap. The lighting is very basic, and a lot of the coverage is straightforward. But Recene shows great style within the flashbacks involving the demon and the cult. Perhaps the humdrum of everyday life is meant to contrast with the supernatural forces at play. If that’s the case, there’s not quite enough of the two styles melding to work totally.
“…things quickly go south when Jonathan discovers a corpse in his rental house.”
However, the plot is absolutely captivating. Jonathan’s belief in his fracking story is sincere, while his confusion over the corpse rings true. The reveal as to how he was ousted from journalism is perfectly timed. Everything involving the cult, the demon, and a specific character (no spoilers) is shocking, makes sense, and is creepy from beginning to end. Apparently, there is a new way to tell a narrative about demons, and the filmmaker has found it.
Holley is solid as the driver reporter. He sells the fear and drama nicely. DeAngelo is off-putting and gruff, causing audiences to suspect something is awry immediately. Nogaret is relatable and well-meaning, giving audiences someone to empathize with. Janna Holley has the crucial role of Lynette. She vacillates between two extremes wonderfully, allowing the big twist to feel natural to everything that has come before.
Demon Behind The Glass is directed only so-so, though stylish sequences crop up when the demon is in full force. The plot is highly original, engaging, and absolutely creepy. The cast brings their respective roles to life believably while selling the craziness. Overall, this is a flawed but engrossing debut from Recene, who shows a ton of promise for future projects.
"…highly original..."
