The Daily Think

Dario Argento is one of the most influential and respected horror filmmakers of all time. He is known for his visually stunning films, intricate plots, and signature use of color and sound to create a sense of unease and tension. Among his most iconic films are Demons and Demons 2, which both had a significant impact on Italian filmmaking and continue to influence contemporary horror cinema today.

DEMONS 1 and 2 – THE BASICS

Demons, released in 1985, tells the story of a group of people who are trapped in a movie theater that becomes overrun by demonic creatures. The film is known for its over-the-top violence and gore, as well as its use of heavy metal music and neon colors to create a hyper-stylized atmosphere. Demons 2, released two years later, takes place in a high-rise apartment building that becomes infected with the same demonic forces as in the first film.

The Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual on the Demons of Demons 1 and 2 are simple. They bite you, scratch you, spit on you, bleed on you, they infect you and you become one of the undead minions. You have what seems like extra strength and a feral attack method with elongated claws and jaws with vampiric like teeth. I would say, they’re infected individuals similar to zombies, wanting to infect everything around them to their species.

DEMONS SETTINGS REFLECTIVE OF A PRE-BERLIN WALL FALL AND URBANIZED ITALIA

One of the most striking things about Demons and Demons 2 is the way they incorporate elements of Italian culture and society. The first film is set in Berlin, but the cast is primarily Italian, and the setting is meant to represent a sort of idealized version of West Germany as seen through Italian eyes. The characters are all young and hip, dressed in the latest fashions and attending a screening of a horror movie as a way of rebelling against the conservatism of their parents’ generation.

The second film is even more explicitly tied to Italian society, as it takes place in a high-rise apartment building in Milan. The building itself is meant to represent the isolation and claustrophobia of modern urban life, as the characters are all trapped inside with no way out. The film also comments on the rising popularity of satellite television at the time, which was seen as a way of bringing the outside world into the home, but also as a source of anxiety and fear.

DARIO’S INFLUECE

Both Demons and Demons 2 also draw heavily on the Italian tradition of horror cinema, particularly the works of Mario Bava and Lucio Fulci. Argento was a longtime admirer of both directors and was heavily influenced by their use of color and atmosphere to create a sense of dread and unease. The influence of Bava is particularly evident in the way Argento uses lighting and color to create a dreamlike quality to the films, while Fulci’s influence is seen in the use of extreme violence and gore.

The impact of Demons on Italian filmmaking cannot be overstated. The film’s success, both in Italy and internationally, paved the way for a new wave of horror cinema in the country, known as the “splatter boom.” These films, which were characterized by their over-the-top violence and gore, often with a darkly humorous tone, became incredibly popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This trend was also part of a wider movement in Italian cinema at the time, known as the “cinema of excess,” which rejected traditional storytelling techniques in favor of a more visceral, confrontational approach.

The impact of Demons and the splatter boom is still felt today, particularly in the work of contemporary horror filmmakers. The use of neon colors and heavy metal music, as well as the hyper-stylized violence and gore, can be seen in the films of directors like Rob Zombie and Eli Roth. The influence of Italian horror cinema is also evident in the work of contemporary Italian directors, such as Luca Guadagnino, whose film Suspiria (2018) pays tribute to Argento’s iconic film of the same name. Evil Dead Rise the newest demonic offering, also gives us strong vibes from the Demons 2 demonic takeover of the building. A personal favorite storyline setting for me.

Demons and Demons 2 are two of the most influential and iconic horror films ever made. They not only had a significant impact on Italian filmmaking, paving the way for a new wave of horror cinema, but they continue to influence horror films to this day.