Movies
FACING YOUR DEMONS: ‘Night of the Demons’ (1988) and The Key to Being So Bad It’s Good
Putting the fun in infernal! Or…infun…you get what I’m going for.
I’m proposing a new subgenre. “Party Horror”
There’s an untapped wellspring of automatic-art-esque films unique from the rest of horror, not just films centered around parties but around a mentality. Films where the wind-up is minimal, the characters are put on the slab immediately, and the outcome is a movie fueled entirely on party vibes rather than technical skill or being terrifying. A film that is pure “horror” without the shackles of worrying about being good. Just two imperatives: to party, and to survive.
And what movie is the gold standard for this school of horror filmmaking? None other than 1988’s Night of the Demons.
For the uninitiated, the film follows the “friends” of Angela Franklin, a goth outcast and the blueprint for Nancy from The Craft, who invites her classmates to the haunted Hull House for a Halloween party. When the group tries to make a party game out of a mirror séance, the slew of stock character teens end up unleashing a demonic spirit and its cohorts that hunger for human hosts.
This film has one of my favorite negative reviews of all time. From the Washington Post: “Demons’ sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom and plays like it was conceived in a vacuum.” And while it’s completely accurate, that’s what makes it so endearing. Truly, there are so few horror films that give me the vibes of being at a Halloween party like Night of the Demons. The entire film, frame to frame, feels like fistfuls of candy corn, fake blood, and ultra-cheap costume fabric. It’s low-grade, and it knows it.
Demons ‘88 doesn’t get wrapped up in the snares of trying to make itself look slick or badass; it doesn’t dwell on how bad it might be. It just does what it does; it simply is. It’s the essence of cheap schlock and a place where the rule of cool is to be as uncool as possible. This is the major failing of its abysmal 2009 remake, which tries its hardest to be stylish in a way that’s admirable instead of a way that’s fun; with more than three times the budget, they couldn’t even muster a fifth of the entertainment. The original understands the ethos of a good horror b-movie: if it’s not fun, why bother?
There’s a cartoonish-ness to the onscreen evil foreshadowed by the quaint intro of paper demon cutouts flying around and synth-rock. We get not one but two scenes where a character unironically tells a scary campfire story about the mansion’s demonic origins, one with a flashlight under his face. It’s a borderline parody in the best of ways.
This film also proves you can have poorly written characters moved by lame acting and still enjoy yourself because the fun they’re having in making the film is palpable. They’re ultra-memorable because they play directly into the genre’s cliches and wear the archetypes they’ve been assigned like a badge of honor. There’s Judy, the heart of gold final girl who must rise to the occasion; Sal, the Italian greaser stereotype that was about 20 years out of date; Rodger, the one superstitious person of color with any sense of self-preservation; Suzanne, the bubblegum valley girl with Psycho Goreman levels of hunky boys’ obsession; and Stooge, the fat, drunken lout who is too misogynist even for the ’80s.
The stooge of the group is quite literally named Stooge, how can you beat that?
But the film’s standout is Amelia Kinkade, the one and only Angela Franklin. Outside of being goth and instantly getting possessed, she has nothing but vibes and puns to offer, and she still works this movie for all it’s worth. Her burlesque scene in front of the fireplace to the industrial metal tune completely blows Trash’s graveyard dance from Return of the Living Dead out of the water. Yes, it’s that good. She also steals the show in Night of the Demons 2 and carries over the spirit of the first film, where the sequels and remake flounder.
Director Kevin Tenney effectively cut together the equivalent of an NBA highlight reel of every convention, cliché, and corny moment that was at the heart of cheap 80’s horror. The camerawork is full of homage to the Evil Dead films, particularly in the tracking shot that happens when the demon is released. It lacks the bite and genuine terror those films could evoke but uses the inspiration they provide to create something completely on the opposite of the tonal spectrum with improvised flamethrowers, coffin sex, and demons that like wordplay.
Is it the best or scariest of the horror movies from that decade? No, not in the slightest. Is it the best of that year on a technical level? Also no, The Blob remake beats it out by a little. But it is the perfect example of how good-bad horror can be when you abandon all reason and let the mood of a film take control. When you engage in the cinematic equivalent of high energy, fun-above-all-else party.
Halloween season is over, and many streamers have forgotten about us horror kids. While they take their 11-month hiatus from the genre, we can be grateful that we still have an app that cares. We are so lucky that Shudder remains that girl year-round. Whether you’re finishing their new original show Guts & Glory, catching up on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, or running at some of their deep cuts like I am, Shudder has your best interests at heart. As usual, she has quite a few titles fighting for our attention. Which is why I am here with five titles I think should be at the top of all of our watch lists this November. So, cancel your holiday plans and pick up your remote because we have got horrifying things to watch.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Habit (1995)
An alcoholic unwittingly enters into a relationship with a succubus in New York City. If you ever wondered what Larry Fessenden was getting up to in his youth, you need to see this ’90s gem. I lucked out and caught it at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival last year, and I lived my best life. While watching it on the small screen will not be the same, I plan to hit play anyway. Mostly because I love to see 1990s succubi leaving their mark on men…and also the horror genre. Shudder is also adding The Last Winter and Depraved, so we can spend a whole day with Uncle Larry’s work.
Sew Torn (2024)
A seamstress happens upon a failed drug deal and steals a briefcase. She soon finds herself caught in a deadly situation where all roads lead to death. I caught Sew Torn at SXSW last year and have been wondering what happened to it. So, I am very happy this odd little bird has found her way to Shudder. I cannot wait to make my friends who are looking for something cute and deadly watch. I knew nothing when I hit play on this, and I encourage you to know as little as possible, too. I fear I have already written too much in this blurb to be completely honest.
You can watch Sew Torn on November 1st.
The Retreat (2021)
A couple goes on a pre-wedding retreat and unwittingly becomes targets of a group of serial killers. We have seen too many movies about retreats, and I thought this one would be more of the same. This title does not completely reinvent the wheel, but it does set itself apart within this oversaturated subgenre. The Retreat is a surprisingly fun and tense little thriller that feels made for the winter watches. Come for the lesbian characters leading the film, and stay for the violence. I also encourage you to check it out while it is on Shudder, because it is usually on apps with ads.
You can watch The Retreat on November 1st.
The Creep Tapes (Season 2)
Peachfuzz returns with more tapes, chaos, kills, and WTF moments. Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice have reentered the TV arena and are making things weird again. If award shows were real, this duo would be leading the Emmys charge. I saw the first three episodes, and Josef/Peachfuzz is still the serial killer after our own hearts. Our Wolfie is still cutting up (literally and figuratively) in the most amazing ways. Guest stars in danger this season include David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Katie Aselton (The League), and Robert Longstreet (The Haunting of Hill House).
You can watch The Creep Tapes (Season 2) on November 14th.
Krampus (2015)
A kid accidentally summons demons during the holidays in this horror comedy. Krampus remains one of the top-tier Christmas horror titles for me. It is also my favorite Michael Dougherty film. Not only because it has the star power of Adam Scott and Toni Collette, either. This movie is wicked, and even the kids are in danger. I do not have many holiday horror movies I revisit every year, but Krampus is one of the very few. It still holds up, and I cannot wait to rewatch it with a festively boozy beverage.
You can watch Krampus on November 15th.
Those are a few reasons I am grateful for Shudder this holiday season. While the rest of you are fighting with your family and friends, I will be parked in front of my TV. You can have your turkey because I would rather gorge myself on episodes of The Creep Tapes anyway.
Let me know what Shudder shenanigans you have got your little eye on. I am nosy and want to make sure I am not missing anything on my favorite streamer.
The year is winding down, and I don’t know about you, but I am trying to pack in as many 2025 horror movies as I can. Is this because I love making end-of-the-year lists? Yes. Is it because I am an unhealed overachiever? Also, yes. So, I am assuming some of you are also cruising the streamers to see what you may have missed. While Netflix has had my favorite new slasher Heart Eyes for a bit, and I have mentioned that in previous streaming guides, they also have other new horror titles to show you.
I do not talk about them as much because I did not have a good time with them. However, that does not mean you won’t enjoy some of these titles. That’s why I am taking the high road and finding something to be grateful for about each of them. That way, you will know there is a silver lining if you do watch them. Allow me to help you figure out what to prioritize this month and what to skip. Check out this chaotic Netflix hitlist below!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
28 Years Later (2025)
A group of survivors on a small island has built a fortress to protect them from the rage virus. However, a young boy discovers what is really outside the walls of their community and sets off to find a cure for his sick mother. We all loved 28 Days Later, and some of us liked 28 Weeks Later. So, 28 Years Later was never going to live up to the hype with almost thirty years of anticipation. While I didn’t love it, I did enjoy seeing Danny Boyle helm another zombie installment. What he does in the subgenre is top-tier, and we are welcome (even if the script left me wanting more). That might have gotten buried in all the talk about the dicks seen in the movie, though.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
A group of girls competing for prom queen starts disappearing, leaving the underdog to figure out what is happening to her competition. I had a lot of thoughts about this lackluster installment in Netflix’s Fear Street adaptations. As someone who grew up reading Fear Street books and wanting to adapt them myself, I do not understand how this movie came out so badly. Which made it hard to find something nice to say about this title. However, the soundtrack slaps, and it is not the soundtrack’s fault that it was wasted on a low-energy bottom-tier slasher. So, if you hit play on this, you can at least look forward to hearing some retro bangers selected by music supervisor Nora Felder. If you are familiar with her work on Yellowjackets and Stranger Things, you know Felder does not miss.
Maa (2025)
To battle a demon’s curse, a mother transforms into the legendary goddess Kali. As usual, Netflix did not advertise an international horror movie that seemed to have some potential. If they had told us Maa was an Indian Hindi-language mythological horror movie, most people who yell for intersectionality and originality would have run at it. Instead, we had to find out about it months later while looking for something we hadn’t already seen on the app. This movie is too long, and I cannot say it is good by any stretch of the imagination. However, it also made me realize how little I know about the goddess of destruction. If you are a nerd like me, this might lead you down a cool rabbit hole. You can also say you gave a view to a horror movie starring Brown people. Who knows, maybe you could be one of the few who enjoy this chaotic film.
Until Dawn (2025)
A group of friends find themselves trapped in a time loop where they keep getting killed in gruesome ways. I love the video game and was so bummed this adaptation was so bad. However, the practical effects are very cool and should be celebrated more. I think the stuff that the SFX team pulled off might be the only reason to watch the movie personally. I’m happy the actors whose work I enjoy got paid, and that’s another positive thing I can say. However, if we want to see young people in deadly time loops, we have so many movies that do it better. Excuse me as I look right at Happy Death Day and all of the movies that have tried to copy her.
Ziam (2025)
A Muay Thai fighter battles through a zombie apocalypse to save the woman he loves. Netflix fumbled the advertising for this one too, because who doesn’t want to see a Thai zombie film? So, I was excited to watch it, but then sad I did not like it. However, I think this one is on me. It is an action-horror with a lot of heartfelt moments, and that’s not my bag. I wanted more violence and zombie action because I am a broken and heartless ghoul. So, Ziam might be the only movie on this list that does not deserve my bombastic side eye. I am waiting for other people to watch it and let me know if they have a better time with it, though.
While I was not the audience for these movies, I am assuming some of you will dig them. Worst-case scenario, you cross off a few more 2025 horror movies and have something to talk about at Friendsgiving. Happy Horrordays! I will see myself out now…
Is ‘Funny Games’ The Perfect ‘Scream’ Foil?
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2025: The Creep Tapes Season 2
The Horror Press Podcast Ep 51: Frankenstein & Stranger Things
‘Frankenstein’ Review: Guillermo Del Toro Is Off to the Races
‘The Siege of Ape Canyon’ Review: Bigfoot Comes Home
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in November 2025
‘The Addams Family’ (1991) First-Time Watch Review
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2025: ‘Slayed’ LGBTQ+ Shorts Block
Brooklyn Horror Film Fest 2025: ‘CAMP’ Review
Brooklyn Horror Film Fest 2025: ‘The Serpent’s Skin’ Review
‘The People Under the Stairs’ Review: A Brilliantly Bizarre Undercover Horror Classic
Slappy Was the Blueprint: How the Dummy from Goosebumps Became A Horror Icon
Glen and Glenda: Don Mancini’s Reverence for Queerness in ‘Seed of Chucky’ (2004)
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ and The Story of William Afton Explained
‘Truth or Dare’: Who Did it Best?
The 11 Most Disturbing Horror Movies Ever, According to an Actual Horror Fan
V/H/S Franchise Ranked, Best to Worst
Everything You Need to Know About Jason Voorhees
[REVIEW] ‘Cherry Falls’ (1999) Brittany Murphy Shines in This Cult Classic Slasher
