Demon (2015 film)

Demon is a 2015 Polish horror film directed by Marcin Wrona. It is Wrona's final film, as he died shortly before its release. The film is inspired by the Jewish folklore story of the dybbuk.

Plot:

The film follows Piotr (Itay Tiran), a British man marrying Żaneta (Agnieszka Żulewska) in her family's rural Polish home. During preparations for the wedding, Piotr accidentally unearths human remains while exploring the grounds. Shortly after, he begins to exhibit increasingly bizarre and unsettling behavior, speaking in a strange voice and experiencing seizures. It becomes clear he is possessed by a dybbuk, the restless spirit of a young Jewish woman murdered during World War II. As the wedding celebrations continue, Piotr's condition worsens, and the dybbuk's presence becomes more pronounced, threatening to consume him and unravel the family's secrets and buried history.

Themes:

Demon explores themes of possession, trauma, historical memory, and the complex relationship between Polish and Jewish history. It delves into the lingering impact of the Holocaust on Polish society and the uncomfortable truths that many prefer to keep buried. The film also touches upon the concept of identity and the struggle to maintain one's self in the face of external forces.

Reception:

Demon received generally positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its atmospheric horror, strong performances, and its intelligent exploration of its weighty themes. The film was screened at several film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, and was recognized with awards for its cinematography and sound design. Wrona's untimely death added a layer of poignancy to the film's reception, solidifying its place as a significant work of Polish cinema.