Director Serik Beyseu’s The Demoness (Otrazhenie tmy), titled at one time Succubus, is a Russian erotic thriller written by Oleg Kurochkin and Dmitriy Zhigalov. They include ingredients of supernatural horror in the style of Charles Band’s Full Moon Features. You have a remote, snow-covered island, a secluded cabin, and an ancient evil lurking in the shadows. Add to this a series of people that look like they have all stepped out of a soft porn film, and the potential for a fun B-movie exists.
The film follows several couples on a retreat to strengthen their bonds after failed relationships and cheating. The private island they go to is populated by robed staff dressed in owl masks straight out of Batman’s The Court of Owls. Pushing the clients’ secretive desires to the surface is a demon, known as a succubus, that can take human form, feeding on their fears and darkest impulses via sex. Stacey (Angelina Pahomova), who studies ancient civilizations and cultures, has a hidden agenda behind her attendance. She wishes to uncover the fate of her missing twin sister while her oblivious companions fall prey to the entity’s seductive deceptions.
The Demoness features acting on the level of an adult film when the nocturnal activities start, and the clothes disappear. The emotional core is undercut by weak dialogue and an English dub that fails to capture the intended atmosphere. Beyseu creates unease in the opening sequence of Stacey running in the woods, evading something that we do not see. But this scene ultimately falls short with the delivery of dialogue; admittedly, it’s likely the fault of the dubbing. One could have great fun with this, but as the story unfolds, it struggles to maintain tension and deliver on its more ambitious ideas.
“…wishes to uncover the fate of her missing twin sister while her oblivious companions fall prey to the entity’s seductive deceptions.”
The Giallo foundations set up early on promise atmosphere and dark mystery, but that doesn’t really materialize. A fetish party sequence set up by the people who run the island looks contrived with its slow-motion dancers in leather. They sip champagne and wine from flute glasses, which looks ridiculous, given the tone of the sequence. However, Pahomova’s dual performance as the twins keeps the film going. She brings a much-needed intensity to the role, standing out among an uninspired supporting cast.
Visually, The Demoness looks literally like Love Island set in snow. Cinematographer Anton Zenkovich makes haunting imagery, with nods to The Shining, particularly in the forest maze sequences. The film is filled with CGI images and enhanced backgrounds, making it a visual curiosity as these don’t look entirely convincing. The sweeping shots of the island and backgrounds present a picture-esque place for horror to happen. However, key moments of suspense fizzle out due to predictable jump scares, character decisions that often defy logic, and the frankly odd dialogue (again, this is probably a dubbing issue).
The Demoness works on the level of pure escapism; leave your brain in the jar. Those who appreciate horror may find some redeeming qualities, but for most viewers, this one is likely to be forgettable. Charles Band and Full Moon Features didn’t really miss out on this one, as it’s atmospheric but underwhelming.
"…leave your brain in the jar."
