Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

My Demon Lover Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 12, 2023

What to do with Scott Valentine? It was a question shared for a moment in Hollywood during the mid-1980s. A dramatically trained actor, Valentine received the career breakthrough when he joined the cast of “Family Ties” as Nick, Mallory’s lovably dim-witted boyfriend. Intended to pop in for a single episode, Nick hung around for the rest of the show’s run, delighting audiences with his Stallone-ish ways. Valentine the actor wanted more, and he received another major opportunity with 1987’s “My Demon Lover,” taking the lead role in a horror comedy that’s almost entirely dependent on his screen charms. Valentine is handed a juicy part here, tasked with playing a monster, a maniac, and a sensitive soul, and his enthusiasm for the material is welcome, matched by his equally charismatic co-star, Michele Little. It’s the rest of “My Demon Lover” that’s less enchanting, finding director Charlie Loventhal struggling to settle the complicated tone of the endeavor, which deals with genre additions, madcap comedy, and tender feelings. It’s a Tim Burton-ish production without Tim Burton, making for an uneven viewing experience with sometimes questionable characterizations.

Denny (Michele Little) is unlucky in love, newly dumped by her boyfriend, leaving her alone once again. She’s ready for a relationship, but pickings are limited in New York City, looking for support from her friend, Sonia (Gina Gallego). One afternoon, Denny is approached by Kaz (Scott Valentine), a homeless musician who’s drawn to almost every female he sees. The pair hit it off, and Kaz eventually saves her from being attacked by her ex, gifted a spot on her couch as a reward. However, the young woman is looking for more than just friendship, while Kaz is trying to be very careful with her forward ways. Eventually revealing his history as a “pazatski,” Kaz explains he was cursed by a Romanian woman long ago, involuntarily turning into a demon when turned on. Unsure what all this means, Denny is soon confronted with the gruesome reality when Kaz reveals his dark side. The monster also deals with news of “The Mangler,” a serial killer targeting single women, with Kaz believing he’s the murderer, unable to control himself.

Kaz is a troubling character. He’s not an especially likeable guy, introduced as a problem for the women of NYC, going around harassing ladies just trying to go about their business. Such behavior plays into the curse aspect of “My Demon Lover,” but the screenplay (credited to Leslie Ray) doesn’t put in the time to really explore such untamed actions. Frankly, Kaz is a jerk in the picture, but one with some goodness within, brought out during his interactions with Denny, with their meet cute happening at a vegetarian restaurant. It’s “Beauty and the Beast” in a way, with the unhoused man protecting Denny from harm, resulting in attraction the woman wants to explore, while the stranger hopes to ignore.

Sexuality is part of “My Demon Lover,” and there’s potential in scenes of temptation, with Kaz undergoing odd transformations when in heat, gifting the production time to showcase monster makeup effects. Most of them are quite good, allowing the feature to explore a slightly more gruesome side like the best horror comedies of the day, with laughs prioritized over shock value. Valentine works hard to show some range, and he does well in heavy prosthetics. Better is Little, who remains alert throughout “My Demon Lover,” capturing the primal needs of Denny, and her exposure to the unexplainable with Kaz, emerging with a bright performance Loventhal needs to help the picture along when it periodically gets caught up in dud subplots, including the arrival of Charles (Robert Trebor), a seemingly hopeless single man also on the hunt for Denny. The serial killer angle of the feature is undercooked as well, lacking a more defined part in the story.

My Demon Lover Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "new 2K scan of the interpositive." It's a decent HD upgrade for the feature, offering a soft-ish, but reasonably clear view of frame particulars, including transformation sequences which utilizes all sorts of makeup effects. Skin remains acceptably textured and costuming is fibrous, offering a feel for period outfits. Interiors explore living spaces, with plenty of decorative additions. Exteriors preserve NYC distances and evening castle action. Color is compelling, with pleasant primaries throughout. Brighter hues of the era are also nicely represented, along with livelier signage. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is passably resolved. Source is in good condition.

My Demon Lover Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix shows signs of age, with a slightly cloudier sound slowly clearing as the "reels" change. Intelligibility isn't threatened, with dialogue exchanges adequate at first. Soundtrack selections carry a slightly stronger presence, and scoring cues are decently defined. Sound effects are appreciable with monster mayhem.

My Demon Lover Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Dating is Hell" (28:56, HD) is a making-of for "My Demon Lover," featuring interviews with director Charlie Loventhal, and actors Michele Little, Scott Valentine, and Robert Trebor. Loventhal discusses his relationship with New Line Cinema, which scored a hit with "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and wanted to remain with genre filmmaking, maintaining control of "My Demon Lover." Casting is examined, with Jay Leno an early choice for the lead role before Valentine was considered. Trebor and Little share their audition stories. The New York City shoot is recalled, with the production going non-union, resulting in production disruptions. Makeup labor is analyzed, keeping Loventhal on edge with the creative challenges, while urinary demands were a surprising development for Valentine. Special effects and sets are also detailed. Loventhal closes with thoughts on the feature's difficult marketing mission, still unsure how to describe the tone of "My Demon Lover."

• "The Monster Next Door" (9:22, HD) is an interview with makeup effects artist Doug Drexler, who examines the collaborative effort to bring "My Demon Lover" to life. The production hired a comic book artist to help visualize the movie, with Drexler working to realize such extreme monster designs. The interviewee also shares an accident that occurred during filming involving stunt performer Peewee Piemonte, who endured a near-miss with fire during a take.

• "Rune Tunes" (9:34, HD) is an audio interview with composer David Newman, who initially tracks the accomplishments of his famous family, with his father, Alfred Newman, one of the early artists involved with "film music." Newman charts his early career, working for John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, soon venturing out on his own, with the "Frankenweenie" short one of his first solo efforts. Talk of "My Demon Lover" is included, with Newman exploring sounds of the score, including use of a synthesizer, reflecting the tastes of the era. Tone is also discussed, with "My Demon Lover" difficult to nail down.

• A T.V. Spot (:32, SD) is offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:36, HD) is included.

My Demon Lover Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"My Demon Lover" gets wacky in the end, looking to showcase makeup effects and hot pursuit action around a castle in Central Park. The climax grows tiresome fairly quickly, but the movie as a whole isn't effective, lacking sweetness when it comes to the players and their game of love. There are moments of monster goodness, but these scenes are few and far between, with the viewing experience mostly about watching Loventhal fight to figure out what kind of film he ultimately wants to make with the craziness that is "My Demon Lover.