I’ll admit that I started watching Demise because I felt a commitment to review it rather than I was looking forward to seeing it. I also tend to be a bit of a softy when it comes to reviewing films; I’d rather not write a review at all than write a bad a review. So, by now, you are probably getting an idea of what I thought of it. Still…I started watching and, before very long, I got hooked! This is all down to Yara Estrada Lowe who is the writer and director; unbelievably this is her feature debut in both roles!
So what is Demise all about? First and foremost is Caleb Castillo (Carlo Mendez) in his first lead role. He is leading a double life as the husband of Celine Castillo (Liz Fenning) and the lover of Fiona Hernandez (Crystal Hernandez). Celine and Caleb are, seemingly keen to have children right up until the time when Celine is hit by an emotional three in a bed. Thunk…she is told that she is infertile, thunk…she finds out that Caleb is cheating on her with Fiona, thunk…she finds out that Fiona is pregnant! One hundred and eighty!
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I Made My Choice
And just like that Celine’s life falls apart. Caleb leaves Celine and goes to play happy families with Fiona which flicks a few of the wrong switches inside Celine’s head. She starts off with a bit of vandalism at the happy home. Then works her way off with a spot of arson using a seemingly vapour free gallon of petrol. There is more to come but, well, spoilers! And I am being particularly careful about the spoilers because it was the twists and turns that kept me watching to the end.
And the time fair flew by. We had obsession, revenge, betrayal, and manipulation all expertly demonstrated and wrapped up in the thin veil of an old fashioned erotic thriller. Admittedly there was a lot more thriller that erotica but I guess that just makes life a lot easier when there appears to be a government who could reintroduce the Hays Code any day now. Anyway, I’ve said many a time that I prefer radio productions to cinema ones because the pictures are better so women thrashing about in bed with their underwear still on is just another trope we have to live with.
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I’ve been using RunPee for a few years now and it’s basically a requirement of going to the movies for me. The best part of course are the “pee times” that give you cues, synopses and times for when you can pee without missing the most important parts of the movie. There is also information about the credits- length, extras and if there are any extra scenes at the wayyy end. Super helpful to just know that it is or isn’t worth staying. There is a timer function that will buzz your phone when it’s a good time to pee. I also appreciate that the app is very conscientious about it being an app you use in a theater- dark background, all silent alarms etc. I will always enjoy the experience of the theater even if I could watch things at home- but I’ve even used it at home to check for things like after credit scenes or other information too.
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And I Chose You
Being honest there is a fair bit of the feel of films like Basic Instinct, Disclosure, Malice, Bitter Moon, and Jade without there being any signs of a direct copy. In my opinion, Liz Fenning would make a delightfully deranged Alex Forrest if a remake of Fatal Attraction were to be on the cards. Carlo Mendez carries off his first lead role quite skilfully. Crystal Hernandez manages the old “identical twins” schtick playing Fiona and Fabiola with aplomb. I suppose she was helped by the twins not sharing a time line but I’m sure she still would have pulled it off.
So, is Demise perfect? Well, no. There are a some plot holes and a few points when you go “Wait…really? You’re doing that?” but it isn’t long before the story rattles along and distracts you with another twist and/or turn. The ending seems to flap around like a shirt tail at a baked bean eating competition but, by then, it’s home time. While Demise is listed solely as a thriller, it could have been tagged with erotica, suspense, and drama without too big of a stretch of the imagination. Demise arrives on UK digital on 14th April 2025 courtesy of Miracle Media.
Independent Film Grade: B+
https://youtu.be/cm_diwg2yHw?si=GTVLJBzETsIUVSBH
Former teacher, lecturer, homelessness administrator, pharmacy dispenser now happily retired, happily married, and a very happy granddad. I live next to the Mersey but on the side Daniel Craig and Taron Egerton come from rather than the side the Beatles came from!