Family Demons is an Australian horror movie that was released in 2009. The film follows the story of a troubled teenager named Shirley (played by Cassandra Kane), who returns to her small hometown in rural Australia after spending some time in a juvenile prison. Shirley faces a lot of hostility and resentment from her mother and sister, who believe that she is responsible for the death of her father years ago.
As Shirley tries to reintegrate with her family, she starts experiencing strange and terrifying events - from hearing eerie whispering in the night to having vivid and gruesome nightmares. As the days go by, Shirley starts to feel more and more isolated from her family and friends, as they seem to distance themselves from her and become more and more suspicious of her behavior.
Things take a turn for the worse when Shirley's sister invites a group of friends over for a weekend of partying and drugs. The house becomes a hotbed of tension and unease, as Shirley's nightmares start bleeding into reality and the demons from her past start coming back to haunt her. As the night wears on, Shirley finds herself fighting for her survival against an evil that she can barely comprehend.
Family Demons is a gripping and atmospheric horror movie that expertly blends supernatural terror with a coming-of-age story. The film explores themes of family dysfunction, guilt, and trauma, and does an excellent job of showing how these issues can manifest themselves in twisted and horrifying ways.
One of the standout features of Family Demons is the excellent performances from the cast. Cassandra Kane shines as Shirley, delivering a performance that is equal parts vulnerable and fierce. She expertly portrays the character's internal struggle as she tries to navigate her troubled past and her uncertain future. Kerry Ann Reid is also fantastic as Shirley's mother, delivering a nuanced and complex portrayal of a woman who is dealing with her own demons. The rest of the cast deliver solid performances, with Alex Rafalowicz in particular standing out as Shirley's love interest.
The movie also benefits from some excellent cinematography and direction. The film's rural Australian setting is expertly captured, with the camera lingering on wide shots of the beautiful but desolate landscape. The use of shadows and lighting is also impressive, creating an eerie and foreboding atmosphere that permeates the entire film.
Overall, Family Demons is a must-see for fans of horror movies that are more interested in psychological terror than jump scares and gore. The movie may be slow-paced at times, but it more than makes up for it with its excellent character development, immersive atmosphere, and expertly crafted scares.
Family Demons is a 2009 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.
