Ah, Demons – a film that really makes you think, “Hey, you know what this genre really needed? More haunted bed-and-breakfast weddings and a side of existential crisis.” Released in 2017, Demons is a film by Miles Doleac that combines family drama, exorcisms, ghosts, and enough poorly timed melodrama to make you wonder if the real horror is in the storyline or the sheer emotional baggage. Buckle up, because this is one ride where the ghosts aren’t the only thing haunting you—so is the absolutely bewildering plot.
A Wedding, a Bed-and-Breakfast, and One Heck of a Ghostly Hitchhiker
The premise of Demons is a classic case of “What could go wrong?” A couple – Colin and Kayleigh – run a charming bed-and-breakfast in Savannah, Georgia. Colin, the former priest turned occult writer (because, of course, that’s the logical career progression after an exorcism fails spectacularly), has a haunted past involving his wife Kayleigh’s deceased sister, Jewel. After an aborted exorcism eight years ago, Jewel died in what can only be described as a grisly fashion, and now she’s back to haunt the couple’s new life.
Oh, and did I mention the wedding? That’s right, the couple, now with a kid and a cozy BnB, agree to host a wedding for one of Colin’s old friends. Seems simple enough, right? A little champagne, some awkward dancing, and maybe some cake. But no, this wedding turns into a spiritual disaster, thanks to the ghostly antics of Jewel, who apparently has nothing better to do than cause chaos on Kayleigh’s big day. Forget the usual wedding drama; Demons serves up a side of haunting that will have you questioning whether it’s the spirits of the dead or the overwhelming melodrama that will suffocate you first.
The Characters: Dysfunctional, Ghosted, and In Over Their Heads
Let’s talk about the characters for a moment. First up, we’ve got Father Colin Hampstead (played by Miles Doleac himself). Now, I don’t know what kind of priest stops being a priest, marries the sister of the girl he couldn’t save, and then proceeds to write horror novels about the occult (I mean, is this what the Church means by “leaving the flock”?). Colin is the kind of character who might be a well-meaning guy… but then you realize he’s been running from his own mistakes and emotional baggage so long, it might be time for him to hand the baggage over to the nearest baggage handler. His personal story arc – finding redemption in the face of a supernatural crisis – is so overdone, it almost feels like the writer’s version of a redemption arc, only it doesn’t land quite as expected. He’s got more unresolved issues than a Netflix algorithm on a Saturday night.
Then there’s Kayleigh (Lindsay Anne Williams), the woman trying to hold it all together, which is truly a thankless job in this movie. Kayleigh, bless her heart, is basically a one-woman emotional hurricane. She’s constantly on the brink of a mental breakdown, a state exacerbated by the fact that her dead sister Jewel seems intent on ruining her life. Now, this could be tragic, except that she spends a fair amount of time walking around like a person who’s been handed a script that says, “React as if you’ve just realized your entire existence is a bad idea.” Kayleigh’s spiraling descent into madness is as overblown as it is unconvincing, and watching her try to reason with a ghost who doesn’t have the decency to go haunt someone else feels more like a performance art piece than a serious horror film.
And we can’t forget the rest of the cast, which is as quirky as it is unnecessary. You’ve got Dr. Gerry Connor (John Schneider), the requisite knowledgeable character who inexplicably provides exposition at key moments of the film. Let’s be honest, Dr. Gerry’s main role is to stand there looking concerned while everyone else flails around in a sea of incomprehensible drama. Then there’s Jasper Grant (Andrew Divoff), who’s got enough creepy uncle vibes to make you wonder if this is a family drama, a psychological thriller, or the actual horror you were promised. And yes, let’s not forget the police officer who shows up for a scene and does exactly nothing except look confused—truly a standout performance.
The Plot: Like a Haunted House… But Less Fun
The story structure of Demons is about as clear as a haunted house at midnight. The plot is told in two timelines—past and present—because who doesn’t love an utterly confusing narrative? The film attempts to unravel the mystery of Jewel’s death, but instead of a compelling, slow-burn reveal, we’re treated to a half-hearted attempt at emotional depth, wrapped in a narrative that can only be described as a hodgepodge of “things that sound good on paper but don’t work when executed.” Kayleigh is haunted by the ghost of her sister, and the plot constantly jerks us back and forth between Kayleigh’s unconvincing breakdown and the increasingly ridiculous haunting shenanigans. Meanwhile, Colin… well, he’s too busy dealing with his guilt and writing bad horror novels. Seriously, the guy could’ve solved the problem by doing something simple like not getting married to the sister of the girl who died… but no, he keeps dragging us through his emotional chaos. If only ghosts could haunt better plot choices.
As the story progresses, Kayleigh’s relationship with her sister’s ghost just gets messier. There’s betrayal, there’s melodrama, and then there’s the part where Kayleigh decides to make one terrible life choice after another—each one more ill-advised than the last. By the time she gets to the “I’m gonna fix everything” moment, you’ll be hoping she doesn’t, because really, how much emotional turmoil can one person handle before you wish the ghost would just leave them alone already?
The Horror: Not Exactly Spine-Chilling, But It’ll Make You Look Around the Room
Is Demons scary? It tries to be, bless its heart. But in reality, it’s more likely to make you chuckle in disbelief. The haunting elements are mostly built on jump scares, vague shadows, and a creepy atmosphere—none of which land particularly well. The ghosts are mostly there to offer “mysterious” whispers, sudden appearances, and the kind of unsubstantiated threats that leave you wondering if the film’s budget went more into the emotional drama than the actual supernatural effects.
The film doesn’t quite nail the horror genre it wants to embody, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing unless you came in expecting to be terrified. Instead, what you get is a series of scenes that feel more like missed opportunities to really dive into what could have been an eerie exploration of grief and guilt. But no, we get ghosts that seem to be playing emotional tug-of-war with Kayleigh while the plot wobbles along. It’s the kind of “horror” that’ll make you wish for more gore or at least a decent story, because right now, you’re just left with unresolved feelings and a supernatural crisis that could use a few more plot threads.
Conclusion: A Haunted House of Missed Opportunities
Ultimately, Demons is a film that tries very hard to be a thought-provoking psychological horror flick about grief, guilt, and the past’s haunting influence. Instead, it feels more like a melodramatic soap opera with ghosts—albeit, poorly acted ghosts. The plot is so bogged down with unnecessary backstories, unconvincing performances, and a supernatural crisis that never really gets a chance to shine. If you’re in the mood for a horror film that’ll make you look at your watch more often than the screen, then Demons might just be your cup of tea. If not, you’re probably better off skipping this one and finding a movie that actually delivers on the horror and suspense it promises.
In short, Demons is like a haunted house with broken lights—sure, there’s something spooky in there, but you’re mostly just waiting to leave.
