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Night of the Demon
Night of the Demon
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Night of the Demon

Night of the Demon

1957
Horror, Mystery
1h 35m
Dr. John Holden ventures to London to attend a paranormal psychology symposium with the intention to expose devil cult leader... (imdb)

Directed by:

Jacques Tourneur

Screenwriter:

Charles Bennett, M.R. James, Hal E. Chester

Starring:

Maurice Denham, Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins, Niall MacGinnis, Athene Seyler, Liam Redmond, Reginald Beckwith, Peter Elliott, Richard Leech, Ewan Roberts, Brian Wilde, Rosamund Greenwood

Genres:

Horror, Mystery

AKA:

Curse of the Demon

Country:

UK

Language:

English
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Night of the Demon

1957
Horror, Mystery
1h 35m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 63.37% from 601 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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beedubBeeDub
Rated 24 Sep 2017
88
74th
Showing the demon at the beginning was a huge mistake, as it kills any tension as to whether it - or the curse - is real. I also wanted to know more about the cult's activities and ultimate goals, which were pretty vague. Not a bad little thriller otherwise.
Rated 24 Sep 2017
paxtonPaxton
Rated 04 Oct 2018
89
88th
Here's your matches. "I don't smoke!" Here's your book. "I can't read!" Here's your ticket. "I don't need it. I'm getting off here!" Here's your jacket. "Oh, well, yes, I'm going to need that. Awww, damn it!"
Rated 04 Oct 2018
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 14 Nov 2008
74
69th
Without the monster it could have been a great psychological thriller, as it is it's another entertaining and well-shot Tourneur horror/mystery.
Rated 14 Nov 2008
moviesinhellmoviesinhell
Rated 26 Mar 2009
100
97th
Val Lewton protege Tourneur helms an absolutely brilliant horror tale. Despite the demon's sporadic appearances -- a decision Tourneur had actively protested (though, truth to tell, the creature cameos work quite well) -- this ranks right up there with any of producer Lewton's '40s fright classics.
Rated 26 Mar 2009
q31Q31
Rated 09 Jun 2008
93
70th
Wonderful, creepy, and atmospheric horror film that doesn't rely on gore to be scary. Some very beautiful, haunting scenes (my favorite is the freak wind storm).
Rated 09 Jun 2008
terrymacterrymac
Rated 17 Feb 2016
80
84th
This was very good. I definitely have a soft spot for films with well-dressed academics battling evil; don't know why. The cast is decent, and the key elements of the M.R. James story are effectively brought to the screen. I really liked MacGinnis as Karswell; he was so calm and rational in his evil-dealing. Less effective is the appearance of the titular demon - it looks rubbish frankly. Otherwise, this is very nicely shot and composed, atmospheric, and most entertaining.
Rated 17 Feb 2016
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 28 Feb 2013
70
55th
An ok-ish horror movie that works best when there isn't anything horrific on screen (mostly because the titular demon looks goofy as hell). Nicely atmospheric. I enjoyed how casual the villain was about his unstoppable plan to kill the protagonist at a specific day, while still being gentlemanly to his future victim in the meantime.
Rated 28 Feb 2013
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 19 Jan 2013
88
78th
An atmospheric version of M.R. James' "Casting the Runes" featuring Tourneur's direction at its best. Worthy of the Val Lewton era, filled with shadows and suspense.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
afx237viafx237vi
Rated 01 Sep 2012
65
60th
It was slightly surprising to me that a protégé of Val Lewton would show the monster in the opening scene. I think it loses some of the psychological effect when we know the demon is real from the off, but even so, it's a still a fun horror. Dana Andrews is pretty stiff in the lead role, but Niall MacGinnis is good as the cult leader.
Rated 01 Sep 2012
bavafreakBavafreak
Rated 10 Feb 2011
100
96th
One of the great horror films. Even the much debated final glimpse of the demon has a terrifying potency. Well acted, beautifully directed and loaded with great images.
Rated 10 Feb 2011
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 27 Sep 2008
68
70th
After dabbling in other genres, Tourneur returns to form with this horror/mystery which very much resembles his Val Lewton produced ones from the 40's: It's stagey and contrived, but consistently compelling. It's always a notch above B-movie fare, and despite the wooden Dana Andrews and the uneven special effects, it's an effectively spooky and suspenseful movie for anyone willing to suspend a bit of disbelief.
Rated 27 Sep 2008
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 20 May 2010
84
77th
The titular demon is actually the weakest aspect, since despite it's great design it's very obviously fake. Luckily most of the film trades on mysterious tension and suspense and does so wonderfully. Dana Andrews is always enjoyable, if a little stiff, and Tourneur throws in some excellent photography.
Rated 20 May 2010
joojooJooJoo
Rated 03 Nov 2008
5
81st
The Germans had better effects three decades earlier but [thankfully] it's used sparingly, and still delivers a great ending. Entirely recommendable, one of Tourneur's best. fun fact: this film perfects the 'cheap scare' tactic.
Rated 03 Nov 2008
yiannosYiannos
Rated 03 Nov 2019
73
78th
Some iffy performances don't mar what is otherwise a richly atmospheric horror mystery with psychological undertones, which was Tournier's strength.It is stagy for sure, but somehow the 'stiffness' creates a heightened mood, lending a borderline surreal quality to this gothic noir exploring the line between reason and superstition; and while the monster looks silly, there is something ominous about the way it emerges from a fireball in the night sky only to vanish back into the crepuscular void.
Rated 03 Nov 2019
macswellMacSwell
Rated 03 Jul 2016
60
42nd
Even though the story reaches its somewhat predictable conclusion a little slowly, it's an effective and suspenseful chiller nonetheless thanks to the excellent atmosphere created by Tourneur. The monster effects are fun but are ultimately a bit too silly to work, and take away from the film's otherwise effective ambiguity.
Rated 03 Jul 2016
troothTrooth
Rated 16 Oct 2015
63
36th
It had an incredible beginning, and an incredible ending, but everything in between... Nothing spectacular. The thing that scared me the most was the prospect that the movie might have lost all its steam completely after the first 10 minutes.
Rated 16 Oct 2015
pilgermannpilgermann
Rated 14 Oct 2012
85
87th
Got to watch this at the theater and really enjoyed it. That brat in the Halloween mask will jolt the piss out of you on a big movie screen!
Rated 14 Oct 2012
bofbof
Rated 18 Nov 2011
81
86th
Marvellously well-done for its age, owing more to Lewton and Hitchcock than to what the likes of Corman were churning out in the US at the time, and genuinely chilling.
Rated 18 Nov 2011
icarusIcarus
Rated 16 Oct 2011
89
87th
Terrific psychological horror from Tourneur, Night would benefit from losing the first scene that reveals the demon. That said, the effect is little used, leaving the far majority of the film to focus on the subtle psychological transformation taking place in the lead character. This is done especially well, and the scenes that include the villain crackle with sinister tension. Tourneur is one of the great "unknown" auteurs.
Rated 16 Oct 2011
frederFreder
Rated 04 Aug 2007
75
63rd
Flashy adaptation of classic short story "Casting the Runes." Although Dana Andrews makes a flat hero, everything else about the movie is strikingly effective, from the appearances of the demon to the subtle depiction of magic. Beware of the American cut; longer British version is much better.
Rated 04 Aug 2007
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
60
39th
Harking back to Cat People in a few different ways, but it's the frustration that I recall the most. Like that film, Night of the Demon is strongest in a few short and scattered sequences that are iconic, but drags for most of its running time. The cast are a bunch of forgettables, and it comes off like a highly competently executed B-picture, with a fraction of the charm that should entail. It is worth watching.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
mike365365mike365365
Rated 02 Oct 2023
68
57th
Pretty good special effects for the time. Less close-ups of the demon would have been more convincing.
Rated 02 Oct 2023
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 10 Jul 2023
80
72nd
Tourneur was good at making a lot out of a little and this is no exception. While I agree with another reviewer that showing the demon at the beginning is a mistake, this is a very fun, atmospheric thriller. I liked it more than I Walked with a Zombie and quite a bit more than Cat People. Shout out to all the '50s parents who let their kids go to the annual Halloween party thrown by the guy who openly runs a devil worshipping cult. It was a different time.
Rated 10 Jul 2023
braddad68braddad68
Rated 22 Jun 2023
88
36th
Wasn't too crazy about this one but still fairly entertaining.
Rated 22 Jun 2023
rihreyrihrey
Rated 24 Mar 2022
62
80th
Some great shots and an interesting story.
Rated 24 Mar 2022
doyler29doyler29
Rated 16 Oct 2021
80
68th
A brilliantly understated horror outing from Tourneur that harkens back to the masterpieces he directed for Val Lewton in the previous decade while also pointing to what classy horror would be like in the next decade.
Rated 16 Oct 2021
akatemossfanAKateMossFan
Rated 17 Jun 2020
98
96th
three-questions_ii???
Rated 12 Apr 2020
69
52nd
Non of the characters are likable, but the film is pulsing with demonic energy that makes it very likable nonetheless.
Rated 12 Apr 2020
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 11 Mar 2019
88
58th
88.00
Rated 11 Mar 2019
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 04 Mar 2019
85
59th
Viewed March 3, 2019.
Rated 04 Mar 2019
nobambanobamba
Rated 24 Jan 2019
70
76th
Watched Full-Length Version: 1.75:1. Dragged a little during the cult scene. Good demon effects. I enjoyed the gentlemanly atmosphere. I'm on the side against showing the demon too early. Fav scene: being chased by smoky footsteps.
Rated 24 Jan 2019
mandymandy
Rated 02 Dec 2018
7
73rd
Highly entertaining horror, of its time, but still full of surprise and suspense.
Rated 02 Dec 2018
emeraldguardEmeraldGuard
Rated 20 May 2018
70
45th
Unique and well shot, but quite a few yawns in there.
Rated 20 May 2018
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 14 Apr 2018
73
61st
That demon isn't in the film anywhere near as much as it is in the poster
Rated 14 Apr 2018
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 05 Nov 2017
60
62nd
Quite good.
Rated 05 Nov 2017
bobblesBobbles
Rated 19 Aug 2017
68
39th
Yawn. I don't usually mind Dana Andrews, but he's just terminally dull here.
Rated 19 Aug 2017
nobletNoblet
Rated 12 Oct 2016
73
52nd
I always appreciate how Satanists are such good sports about murdering people.
Rated 12 Oct 2016
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 28 Feb 2016
13
69th
Star Rating: ★★★1/2
Rated 28 Feb 2016
zipsterZipster
Rated 25 Aug 2014
85
68th
Was it real, or wasn't it? It certainly was for those who were attacked by the demon. But for those who weren't...Now that's a brilliant monster movie.
Rated 25 Aug 2014
schnofelschnofel
Rated 27 Jul 2014
41
26th
You know, this material is a whole lot more effective when it doesn't have the air of gentlemen gathering around a fireplace. But when the demon finally comes, it's straight out of Wrestlemania, so that I enjoyed.
Rated 27 Jul 2014
clark_novaClark Nova
Rated 09 Nov 2013
95
77th
DEMON GO HOME
Rated 09 Nov 2013
telemecusTelemecus
Rated 04 Nov 2013
57
68th
Worthwhile - reminded me of The Devil Rides Out
Rated 04 Nov 2013
hulothulot
Rated 01 Aug 2013
80
82nd
watched: 2013, 2020
Rated 01 Aug 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 04 Jan 2013
89
97th
88.500
Rated 04 Jan 2013
kramyessevKramYessev
Rated 30 Nov 2012
80
88th
A fantastic psychological mystery/thriller that's let down by its supernatural elements. Thankfully, the demon itself and some of the effects are great, so they don't wreck the film completely.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 02 Dec 2011
63
26th
#736
Rated 02 Dec 2011
glmglm
Rated 18 Jan 2011
88
87th
88.250
Rated 18 Jan 2011
svnhfsvnhf
Rated 22 Oct 2010
76
63rd
A classic cult horror film, sadly with a squint of drawn-out scenes and filler. It does have a very convincing cast, MacGinnis doing brilliant as the villain; he pushed my buttons and I've grown tough against horror movies. The Demon itself was also shown and shot to perfection. Great ending also and although the movie hasn't aged incredibly well, it is still a worthwhile view for fans of horror. I wish there were more villains played like Niall MacGinnis does it here, current cinema needs that.
Rated 22 Oct 2010
voltaire53Voltaire53
Rated 13 Oct 2010
78
76th
A black and white classic, full of great atmosphere and suspenseful plot. Suspenseful, clever and with good performances throughout this one is highly recommended.
Rated 13 Oct 2010
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Feb 2010
72
41st
Terrific beginning, terrific ending... everything in between is a mixed bag. Scenes that are fairly interesting or suspenseful are intertwined with some dull exposition and treading water. A number of really shoddy rear projection shots didn't help anything, either. I suspect the truncated American version feels a lot tighter. In general I guess it was a pretty good horror flick and I can see why it would have cult appeal, but it didn't really push my buttons that much.
Rated 14 Feb 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 15 Jan 2010
63
26th
734
Rated 15 Jan 2010
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
65
30th
700
Rated 19 Dec 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 02 Mar 2008
65
44th
# 693
Rated 02 Mar 2008
kasperlKasperL
Rated 18 Jan 2008
85
94th
A terrifically moody chiller. Jacques Tourneur at his best.
Rated 18 Jan 2008
madmanMadMan
Rated 06 Oct 2007
90
67th
One of my all time favorite horror movies.
Rated 06 Oct 2007
stainStain
Rated 31 Mar 2007
60
47th
Well-made but not scary
Rated 31 Mar 2007

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