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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Demons (1986). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


As the inhabitants of a high-rise apartment complex gather around their televisions to enjoy a movie, they remain blissfully unaware that the story unfolding on-screen will soon morph into a nightmarish reality. The film narrates the harrowing journey of a group of teenagers who dare to step into a city plagued by a demonic outbreak. In a shocking turn of events, one of the teens inadvertently resurrects the demon when a drop of blood from a scratch lands on its mouth.

Simultaneously, Sally, played by Fabiola Toledo, is celebrating her birthday with friends at a lively party. However, her festive mood quickly deteriorates when her friend receives an unexpected call from Jacob, leading Sally to erupt in anger and demand that everyone leave her home. Retreating to her room, she finds herself unable to look away from the film, only to be terrified when the demon on-screen suddenly locks its gaze onto her.

Without warning, the television shatters, allowing the demon to break free and unleash havoc on the unsuspecting party guests. Possessed by the demon’s spirit, Sally descends into a frenzy of bloodthirsty violence, transforming all but two of her friends into monstrous beings. As chaos envelops the building, the bile of the creatures seeps through the ceilings, igniting electrical fires and short-circuiting systems.

In one unit, a dog becomes infected after it licks the toxic substance, turning into a savage beast that mercilessly attacks its owner. Meanwhile, a young boy left alone by his parents struggles to evade Sally’s demonic friends but ultimately succumbs to poisoning, morphing into a monstrous version of himself.

Hannah, portrayed by Nicoletta Elmi, a pregnant woman anxiously awaiting her husband, is besieged by the demon boy. After a fierce confrontation, she kills him, only to have a smaller, winged demon burst forth from his lifeless body to continue its rampage. Hannah’s husband, George, portrayed by Urbano Barberini, is trapped in an elevator with another woman. As they manage to escape through a service hatch, a security guard who had transformed into a demon after being clawed by Sally bursts in, infecting the woman and sending her after George.

As George climbs the suspension cables above the elevator, he faces off against the demon using his umbrella to fend off its attacks. With skillful precision, he defeats the flying demon just as Hannah arrives at their apartment, prepared to confront whatever horrors lurk within.

As the turmoil escalates below, a diverse group of bodybuilders, led by the imposing Hank (played by Stelio Candelli), has taken refuge in the underground garage alongside other tenants. Their makeshift stronghold, reinforced by sturdy doors, proves inadequate against the relentless demons eager to break in. Armed with shotguns and improvised weapons such as Molotov cocktails, the uninfected fight valiantly to repel the demonic onslaught, yet many ultimately fall victim to the invasion, either transformed or slaughtered in a shocking display of supernatural carnage.

With the tide turning against them, George masterminds a desperate plan, using the building’s gas system to create an explosive blast that annihilates most of the infected horde—except for Sally, who miraculously survives the chaos. With the immediate threat thwarted, Hannah and George venture into Sally’s devastated apartment, where they discover two terrified partygoers hiding away. The unexpected alliance heads to the rooftop, only to find a demented Sally waiting for them. Her malevolent influence takes hold of the two hidden partygoers, but George swiftly intervenes to deal with the newly turned demons.

As they navigate the treacherous rooftop, Hannah and George leap onto the neighboring building’s roof, engaging in a fierce battle against their former ally, now a terrifying enemy. This brutal confrontation badly injures Sally, impairing her vision due to George’s relentless attacks. Amid this turmoil, Hannah experiences a profound transformation in a nearby television studio, where she gives birth to their child amidst the surreal ruins of their once-normal lives.

As they prepare to leave with their newborn, an unsettling sight meets their eyes: Sally’s sinister image appears on multiple television screens, ominously moving closer to confront the viewers. It becomes clear that this spectral entity, born from Sally’s anguish, now seeks vengeance through the very medium that led to her downfall—television. With righteous anger, George smashes the screens, rendering the ghostly entity powerless. With their child safely in their arms, the couple steps out into a world forever marked by the supernatural horrors they’ve withstood, ready to confront whatever obstacles await them.

Timeline

Track the key events of Demons (1986) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Movie Night Begins

The inhabitants of a high-rise apartment complex gather around their televisions, eager to enjoy a night of entertainment. Unbeknownst to them, the film they are about to watch is more than just a story; it will soon blur the lines between fiction and reality.

High-rise Apartment

Demon Resurrected

A group of teenagers in the film unwittingly resurrects a demon when a drop of blood lands on its mouth. This shocking act sets off a chain of horrifying events that will soon spill into the real world.

Sally's Birthday Party

Sally celebrates her birthday with friends, enjoying the festivities until a sudden phone call from Jacob shatters the joyful atmosphere. In a fit of rage, she demands her guests leave and retreats to her room, where she becomes entranced by the movie.

Sally's Apartment

The Demon Comes Alive

As Sally watches, the demon on the screen locks its gaze onto her, causing her to feel a chilling presence. In a shocking twist, the television shatters, allowing the demon to escape into the real world.

Sally's Apartment

Sally's Transformation

Once free, the demon possesses Sally, driving her into a violent frenzy. In her bloodthirsty state, she transforms all but two of her friends into monstrous beings, anchoring the chaos within the apartment complex.

Sally's Apartment

Infectious Chaos

As the chaos escalates, a vile substance from the demons seeps through the ceilings, igniting fires and short-circuiting electrical systems. The terror spreads across the building, intensifying the sense of dread among the residents.

High-rise Apartment

Dangers of Transformation

A dog becomes infected after licking the toxic substance, turning into a savage beast that soon attacks its owner. Meanwhile, a young boy left alone falls victim to the chaos, ultimately succumbing to the demon's influence.

Different Units in the Apartment

Hannah's Confrontation

Hannah, a pregnant woman, is soon besieged by the demon-turned-boy. After a fierce struggle, she defeats him, only to inadvertently unleash a smaller demon that continues the rampage, heightening the stakes.

Hannah's Apartment

George's Elevator Escape

George, trapped in an elevator, maneuvers through a life-threatening situation with a woman during an unexpected demon attack. They manage to escape through a service hatch, but danger lurks around every corner.

Elevator

The Stand Against Demons

In an underground garage, a group of bodybuilders, led by Hank, barricades themselves against the demonic onslaught. Despite their bravery and makeshift weapons, many are transformed or slaughtered, illustrating the overwhelming threat.

Underground Garage

A Desperate Plan

As the demons overrun their refuge, George orchestrates a daring plan to utilize the building's gas system to create an explosive blast. The tactic is successful, wiping out many of the infected but allowing Sally to survive.

High-rise Apartment

Facing Sally

After the explosion, George and Hannah discover two terrified partygoers hiding in Sally's devastated apartment. Determined to escape, they make their way to the rooftop, but are confronted by the heavily injured Sally.

Sally's Apartment

Climactic Rooftop Showdown

On the rooftop, George and Hannah face off against Sally, who has become a fearsome enemy. A brutal battle unfolds, culminating in George injuring Sally and Hannah experiencing a life-changing moment as she goes into labor.

Rooftop

Birth Amidst Chaos

As Hannah gives birth in the surreal ruins of their once-peaceful life, the couple prepares to leave with their newborn. However, they are haunted by the spectral image of Sally appearing on multiple screens, threatening their new beginning.

Television Studio

Confronting the Unseen

Recognizing the threat posed by Sally's spectral entity, George shatters the ominous television screens. With their child safely held in their arms, they step into an uncertain world, forever marked by the horrors they endured.

Outside the Apartment

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Demons (1986) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Sally

Sally is initially portrayed as a joyful character celebrating her birthday, but her anger and subsequent possession transform her into a monstrous figure. This descent into violence underscores her vulnerability and highlights themes of loss of control and the struggle against inner demons.

🎉 Celebration 👿 Possession

Hannah

Hannah is a pregnant woman caught in a nightmare, facing both external horrors and the internal fear of impending motherhood. Her bravery shines through as she confronts demonic threats, showcasing her strength and maternal instinct in desperate times.

🤱 Motherhood 👊 Courage

George

George is portrayed as resourceful and protective, willing to go to great lengths to ensure the safety of his wife and newborn child. His strategic thinking becomes crucial as he devises a plan to combat the demonic invaders, embodying the archetype of a husband and father.

🛡️ Protector 💡 Strategist

Hank

Hank is the imposing leader of a group of bodybuilders, showcasing physical strength and a combative spirit. His role highlights the theme of community strength versus chaos, as they attempt to fend off the relentless demons together.

💪 Strength 🚨 Leadership

Setting

Uncover the settings of Demons (1986), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The events unfold in contemporary times, as evidenced by the presence of modern technology such as televisions and communication devices. However, the movie's themes resonate beyond a specific timeline, touching on the primal fears of chaos and possession that transcend generations.

Location

High-rise apartment complex, underground garage

The movie takes place primarily in a high-rise apartment complex, symbolizing the false sense of security that can reside within a familiar environment. The underground garage serves as a fortification for a group of survivors attempting to fend off demonic forces, highlighting the tension between safety and vulnerability in confined spaces.

🏢 Building 🚗 Garage

Themes

Explore the core themes of Demons (1986). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


👹

Horror

The film delves deep into horror, showcasing the terror that ensues when fiction becomes reality. It explores how fear can spread rapidly within a confined community, triggering a primal instinct for survival as characters face demonic forces bent on destruction.

🤰

Pregnancy & Transformation

Hannah's pregnancy symbolizes hope amidst horror, juxtaposing the miracle of life against the backdrop of demonic terror. Her transformation during childbirth serves as a powerful moment, representing the intersection of vulnerability and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

🎥

Media Influence

Television acts as a catalyst for the chaos, illustrating how consuming media can blur the lines between reality and fiction. The unsettling imagery of Sally's spectral presence on screens showcases the consequences of media consumption when it becomes a conduit for evil.

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