Overview
A skeptical professor confronts the dark forces of black magic in a chilling battle for survival.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- eerie
- foreboding
- paranoid
- classic horror night
- late night viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an assured, atmospheric classic of supernatural horror and an important precursor to British folk horror, while finding its visible demon effects less convincing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film is regarded as a precursor to British folk horror, centering on an English devil cult, black magic, and ominous countryside locations.
Dr. John Holden begins by dismissing Karswell's alleged powers, then investigates mysterious deaths and increasingly uncanny events.
Karswell secretly places a parchment among Holden's papers, making the document the central mechanism of the alleged death curse.
The film emphasizes Karswell's library, the woods, summoned storm conditions, and stark black-and-white imagery to sustain dread.
Films like Night of the Demon, and why
The Wicker Man
shared occult investigation, skeptical protagonist, and atmospheric supernatural dread
Witchfinder General
shared British folk horror atmosphere, rural occultism, and conflict between rational inquiry and supernatural belief
The Exorcist
shared classic supernatural horror, elegant suspense, and demonic menace
The Innocents
shared occult mystery, black magic, and shadowy rural terror
Movie Details
- Director
- Jacques Tourneur
- Release Date
- 1957-11-09
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (323)
Cast
- Dana Andrews
- Peggy Cummins
- Niall MacGinnis
- Maurice Denham
- Athene Seyler
- Liam Redmond
- Reginald Beckwith
- Ewan Roberts
- Peter Elliott
- Rosamund Greenwood
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Night Flight Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Cultpix, Midnight Pulp, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Chilling, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Night of the Demon about?
- A skeptical psychologist confronts an elegant occultist after a mysterious parchment appears to mark him for death.
- What is Night of the Demon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Night of the Demon as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Night of the Demon violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Night of the Demon as mild.
- What did critics think of Night of the Demon?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an assured, atmospheric classic of supernatural horror and an important precursor to British folk horror, while finding its visible demon effects less convincing.
- Which films are like Night of the Demon?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wicker Man, Witchfinder General, The Exorcist, and The Innocents.
- How long is Night of the Demon?
- Night of the Demon runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Night of the Demon?
- In United States, Night of the Demon streams on Philo, Night Flight Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Cultpix, Midnight Pulp, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Chilling, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
