Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Demons 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 17, 2021

It didn’t take long for producer Dario Argento and director Lamberto Bava to cash-in on the unexpected success of 1985’s “Demons.” Released eleven months later, “Demons 2” is out to sustain genre momentum, with the production basically creating a remake of the first picture, which ended on a grim, apocalyptic note. Such tonal bravery is gently pushed aside for round two, which moves the central conflict between man and monster from a movie theater to an apartment building, with television the grand conductor of evil this time around. “Demons 2” endeavors to offer a busier sense of screen activity, but not necessarily a more gruesome one, with Bava pulling back on demonic grotesqueries to play with a more sustained creature threat, dipping into puppetry to secure a “Gremlins” vibe. The production works hard to create a big screen mess, but a double dip into this world of media zombification and viral outbreaks isn’t quite as enchanting as the last effort.

For additional information and analysis, please read:

A 2012 Blu-ray review by Svet Atanasov.

A 2014 Blu-ray review by Svet Atanasov.

Two versions of “Demons 2” are included on this release: an Italian Version (90:59) and an International English Version (91:02).

Demons 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negatives. As with "Demons," "Demons 2" has been spiffed up for this Blu-ray release, leading with excellent detail throughout the viewing experience, with emphasis on monster makeup achievements, which retain their slimy, severe textures. Skin particulars are sharp on humans as well, along with period costuming, which retains fibrousness, ranging from party outfits to softer pajamas. Interior decoration is open for study, and building areas are dimensional, including a cavernous parking garage and tall elevator shaft. Colors are enticing, showing off ghoulish hues on evil entities, with greenish skin and red eyes. Dramatic lighting is also clearly defined, and skintones are natural. Delineation is excellent, preserving power outage encounters. Grain is fine and film- like. Source is in good condition, but a brief area of image instability is found at the 28:07 mark on the English Version. The Italian Version runs a bit longer, with the anomaly appearing from 28:07 to 28:23. As detailed on package information, this is an inherent camera issue.

Demons 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix offers satisfactory dialogue exchanges, often working with hysterical characters. Clarity is generally quite good, save for a few harsher highs as chaos takes over the feature. "Demons 2" is an incredibly noisy movie to begin with, but soundtrack selections emerge with authority, providing a more circular sense of pop tunes, and surrounds also deal with scoring cues, which deliver a crisp synth presence. Sound effects are pronounced, along with screaming fits, and atmospherics are capable, highlighting group activity. Low-end isn't challenged during the listening experience, but some impact is present during explosions

Demons 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Travis Crawford.

• "Together and Apart" (26:36, HD) is a visual essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

• "Creating Creature Carnage" (2029, SD) is an interview with special makeup artist Sergio Stivaletti, who lists his work on Dario Argento's "Phenomena" as his big career break, impressing audiences and the director with his efforts. Taking inspiration from Rick Baker, Stivaletti explores the technical achievements of "Demons," aiming to make body transformations memorable, also using imagery from painter Hieronymus Bosch. The picture launched his name, and the interviewee details some of his contributions to "Wax Mask." For "Demons 2," Stivaletti is a bit more candid about the endeavor, admitting some disappointment in the way certain effects were shot. He focuses the chat on the little demon creation and the stretching T.V. effect, offering pride in the visual.

• "The Demons Generation" (34:50, HD) explores the two movies with help from Roy Bava, the son of Lamberto Bava. Acting as a trainee assistant director on "Demons" and a second assistant director on "Demons 2," Bava spent a great deal of time with the series, even juggling educational requirements and work obligations during the shooting of the original endeavor. Bava shares that he was part of the soundtrack selection process, and explores his relationship with Lamberto and Dario Argento, analyzing different shooting styles and schedules. Casting is recalled, along with German locations. "Demons 2" was the interviewee's first official gig (after working for free as a teenager), and he highlights the execution of the demon puppet sequence, also sharing memories of Asia Argento.

• "Screaming for a Sequel" (15:59, HD) is an interview with director Lamberto Bava, who really doesn't get into the making of "Demons" or "Demons 2." Instead, he discusses the influence of his father, Mario Bava, who put his kid to work at an early age, getting Lamberto used to moviemaking, also introducing the child to the magic of horror. Such employment provided a real education on technical demands, and Bava was ready when producer Dario Argento launched a "Demons" sequel after the original film's opening weekend. The big idea for "Demons 2" was television, with the production looking to up dramatic stakes, and the interviewee explores his relationship with Michele Soavi. Bava closes with the story behind an aborted attempt to make "Demons 3," which turned into Soavi's "The Church," removing Bava's story credit.

• "A Soundtrack for Splatter" (27:08, HD) is an interview with composer Simon Boswell, who was working in Italy during the mid-1980s, touring with his band, Live Wire. Discovered by Dario Argento, Boswell was invited to join the production of "Phenomena," contributing to scoring cues. Having never seen "Demons," Boswell was hired for "Demons 2," also in charge of moving the soundtrack from a heavy metal vibe to a pop one, even reaching out to Morrissey for use of a Smiths song. Laboring to put a "British stamp" on the sequel, Boswell embraced the work experience, watching his career take off with genre entertainment. A reaction to "Demons 2" is supplied, and Michele Sovai is fondly remembered, with the pair eventually collaborating on other efforts.

• And an Italian Theatrical Trailer (2:56, HD) and an International English Theatrical Trailer (2:55, HD) are included.

Demons 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Demons 2" puts in a noticeable effort to escalate monster happenings, with Bava and his team trying a few different approaches to mayhem, but they also stick with similar visuals found in "Demons," only here the execution is a smidge off, missing some gory magic. There's still fun to be had with the premise, watching survivors deal with the maze of the apartment building, trying to find safety in a garage, elevator shaft, and living rooms. Potential ugliness with the inclusion of a pregnant woman and a child is avoided by Bava, who keeps things reasonably tasteful, switching to goofiness at times to avoid punishment. It's not the thrill ride "Demons" was, but "Demons 2" has its highlights, working to revive a similar sense of danger and bursting violence, but it lacks a fresh reason to be, eschewing the set-up found in the last film to simply recycle the threat level, turning to formula to please the fanbase.