Demons

Demons

Year: 1986

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

Director: Lamberto Bava

Horror

A group of people attending a film premiere find themselves trapped within the cinema as a series of terrifying events unfold. As their deepest fears manifest, they are forced to confront a supernatural force that preys on their vulnerabilities. The film explores the fragility of the human psyche and the power of inner demons in a descent into madness and terror.

Demons (1986) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Demons (1986) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a sleek high‑rise that never seems to sleep, a much‑anticipated film premiere turns into something far more unsettling. As the audience settles into the darkened auditorium, an unseen pressure seals the doors and the ordinary flicker of the screen begins to echo with something far more primal. The building’s polished corridors and glossy lobby give way to a claustrophobic maze where each whispered doubt and hidden insecurity takes on a tangible weight, turning a night of celebration into a relentless test of the human psyche.

The story follows a handful of strangers whose lives intersect in the cramped theater. Sally arrives with friends for a birthday gathering, her bright optimism quickly shadowed by an undercurrent of tension that hints at deeper unease. Across the hall, Hannah drifts within the womb of impending motherhood, her anxiety threaded with hope and fear as she waits for her husband’s return. George, her partner, carries the weary resolve of someone who has learned to navigate both the ordinary and the uncanny. In the building’s basement, a group of muscular tenants led by Hank form an unlikely alliance, their physical strength contrasting with the intangible threat that seeps through the walls.

The tone is a slow‑burning blend of psychological horror and supernatural dread, where the line between imagined terror and real danger blurs with each passing moment. Shadows stretch beyond the screen, and the very act of watching becomes a mirror that reflects the audience’s most concealed nightmares. The film’s aesthetic leans heavily on muted lighting, echoing corridors, and the relentless hum of electronic static, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and overwhelmingly oppressive.

As the night deepens, these individuals must grapple not only with an external menace but also with the personal demons that haunt them. Their interactions—filled with nervous jokes, fleeting confidences, and uneasy alliances—hint at the fragile ties that bind people together when the world outside collapses. Within the sealed cinema, every breath, every glance, and every whispered secret becomes a potential key to surviving an experience that threatens to turn their deepest fears into lived reality.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Claustrophobic outbreak horror movies like Demons

Stories where an infection or evil breaks out in a single, inescapable location.If you liked the trapped, pandemic feel of Demons, explore more movies where a contained location becomes ground zero for a terrifying outbreak. These films share a similar sense of chaotic, fast-paced survival against an overwhelming force within a single building or complex.

claustrophobicfreneticgoryapocalypticchaoticanxioussurvival horror

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a sense of normalcy that is violently shattered by the sudden emergence of a threat. The plot follows a linear, survival-focused progression as characters battle both the external menace and the internal chaos that erupts among the survivors, often leading to a high body count.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared setting of a confined space, the rapid pacing of the outbreak, and the overwhelming intensity of the survival scenario. They deliver a consistent vibe of panic, claustrophobia, and visceral horror.

Movies with unstoppable supernatural carnage like Demons

Relentless horror where ancient evil causes widespread, gory destruction.Fans of the gory, demonic chaos in Demons will enjoy these movies centered on unstoppable supernatural evil. These stories deliver similar high-intensity action, heavy body horror, and a feeling of facing an apocalyptic threat with little hope of true victory.

brutalgoryapocalypticchaoticfreneticbody horrordemoniccarnage

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an ancient or demonic evil being unleashed upon the world, often with little explanation. The story is a straightforward series of violent confrontations and transformations, emphasizing spectacle and visceral impact over complex mythology, frequently leading to bleak or ambiguous endings.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their high-intensity, fast-paced delivery of supernatural violence and body horror. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight from the constant threat, and a focus on the spectacle of carnage caused by an unstoppable evil.

Unlock the Full Story of Demons

Don't stop at just watching — explore Demons in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Demons is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Demons Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Demons, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Demons Summary

Demons Timeline

Track the full timeline of Demons with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Demons Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Demons

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Demons. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Demons

More About Demons

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Demons: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Demons

Similar Movies to Demons

Discover movies like Demons that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.