Night Of The Demons 3 (1997)(2025 Redo)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- On Halloween night, Holly (Stephanie Bauder) and her friend, Abbie (Patricia Rodriguez) hitch a ride with Orson (Christian Tessier), Reggie (Joel Gordon), Nick (Gregory Calpakis), Vince (Kris Holden-Reid), and his girlfriend, Lois (Tara Slone) after Holly’s car breaks down. After a standoff and a shootout with two cops at a convenience store, Lois suggests using Hull House as a hideout.

At Hull House, Angela (Amelia Kinkade) appears with plans to possess the group one by one. Hours away from retirement, Lieutenant Dewhurst (Vlasta Vrana) heads to Hull House after a suggestion from a dispatcher…..

My Thoughts- Three films into the series, and Amelia Kinkade still brings a lot of energy to her performance as Angela. Usually, by the time you hit the third film, the main antagonist might feel a little bit stale, but that’s not the case here. You can always tell Kinkade is genuinely having a lot of fun playing Angela, the crafty and deceptive demoness, who gets a kick out of being a disruptor and causing mayhem. 

Something to pay attention to here is, Angela’s tactics as a master manipulator. There’s a good amount of tension and in-fighting within the group. Angela takes advantage of the constant drama and certain characters doubting themselves, whether it’s playing on Orson and Abbie’s insecurities, or pandering to Vince’s ego. 

Holly might be the popular cheerleader, but Stephanie Bauder portrays a humble and caring young woman, who’s willing to risk her life to save the others. Patricia Rodriguez plays her role well, as the nerdy sidekick, who’s struggling with self-confidence. 

Looking at Christian Tessier’s Orson, you can see he’s a wimpy geek. He wants to fit in, and prove to Vince that he’s capable of doing the dirty work, so he can get Vince’s seal of approval. Tara Slone’s Lois? She’s an unhinged jerk, which makes her a perfect match for Vince. 

Vince is a bad boy rebel and a hotheaded asshole, with a mean streak. Kris Holden-Reid does more than enough to convince you that Vince is someone, who’s easy to dislike or even hate, the tough guy, who tries way too hard to be a bad ass. Gregory Calpakis’ Nick is the only one the group, who’s brave enough to stand up to Vince. Nick is a good guy. Tough, he can think for himself, and I did get a few good laughs out of the little rivalry between Vince and Nick.

Vlasta Vrana’s Lieutenant Dewhurst is just so fun to watch. The old witty veteran, with a quick and snappy sense of humor, who’s racing against the clock to solve the case and save any survivors at Hull House before he retires. It’s a simple storyline, but it doesn’t work without Vrana’s performance. Vrana is so good here, and it’s almost to a point, where the story should’ve revolved around him as the main character. And Lieutenant Dewhurst does magic tricks!

Ian McDonald playing the convenience store clerk? His screen time is short, but you can take one look at this guy, and instantly see there’s just something sleazy about him. The guy just looks like a crook. Dewhurst toying with and grilling Mr. Morris (McDonald) was hilarious, because Morris’ story about the stolen money was obviously too phony. 

WHAT happened to Hull House? Excluding a handful of rooms and areas, Hull House looks too clean and neat. Maybe I could do a photo shoot here? Or throw a dinner party? Overall, this version of Hull House really isn’t scary, and it’s missing the creepiness of the spooky and possessed old house in the first two films. And Hull House is clearly in a different location. All the trees, a lot of space in the woods, and for some reason there’s a barn here? I can understand switching things up, but as far as Hull House goes, I wasn’t a fan of the changes.

Speaking of changes, I’m glad they decided to change the setup for the story. Using Hull House, an abandoned funeral home with a horrifying past, as a hideout for the last place that anyone would think to look for a group of kids on the run from the cops, is a refreshing approach. 

We’re on the third film in the series, so reusing or retooling the storyline for a bunch of teenagers going to Hull House for a Halloween party is kind of ridiculous. We already know Angela is dangerous, so why would you throw a party at Hull House? Because you’re hoping for a terrifying realistic experience on Halloween night? Sure, bad things still happen, when the group runs into Angela. BUT it’s a lot easier to buy into the idea for Vince and everyone else using Hull House as a last resort, so they can have more time to figure things out.

Night Of The Demons 3 delivers more bloody violence and gore. Night Of The Demons 2 was more extreme, but there’s still more than enough to get a reaction out of you here. There’s also some bizarre and freaky signature NOTD scenes here. Angela performs fellatio on Orson’s gun, and she finishes it off by sucking out the bullets. Angela transforming Lois’ snake sock puppet into a real snake is another good one, and Orson’s mask! Orson’s mask merging with his face to complete his transformation really works for a monstrous demonic look, a good and unique visual that separates him from the rest of the pack. 

Also, is Orson’s character (the demonic version) a slight nod to Freddy Krueger? Maybe I’m just reaching with this one, but Orson’s shirt has the same colors as Krueger’s sweater. After Orson is consumed by the demonic possession, he really starts hamming it up more with corny jokes, taking on the role of a comedian. Just something to think about, but maybe there’s a connection in there somewhere.

I hated Night Of The Demons 3 years ago. I really, really hated it. But the third entry gives you everything you’d expect from a Night Of The Demons film. Nudity, one brief sex scene, violence, and wacky, cheesy humor. I always roll my eyes at the “yo momma” jokes, but Night Of The Demons 3 still delivers a decent amount of laughs throughout the movie. 

And I can’t say enough about Amelia Kinkade and Vlasta Vrana’s performances. Kinkade and Vrana are the anchors for this cast. Similar to what happened in Night Of The Demons 2, Kinkade opens the movie, and she sets the tone for the carnage you’re about to witness, when poor Officer Larry (Larry Day) wanders into Hull House: “Here I’m the law….and it’s time to pronounce sentence.” Perfect delivery for that line, so smooth and so much confidence.

This was a big one for me, but I’m also happy they FINALLY showed what happens, when a demon crosses over the underground stream. Sure, we know the underground stream is the barrier that prevents Angela and the other demons from escaping Hull House. But you actually get to see what happens, when a demon tries to cross the stream here. The consequences are devastating, and the underground stream is a major plot point that plays a big role during the final struggle.

Yes, Night Of The Demons 3 comes along at a point, where it’s clear the series is running out of steam. It’s more of a stand-alone sequel, because there’s no real connections to the 1988 original or Night Of The Demons 2. Officer Larry briefly mentions St. Rita’s Academy and the murders, but that’s it. Still, Night Of The Demons 3 is a worthy and decent enough sequel, featuring Amelia Kinkade’s entertaining final outing as Angela. 

There’s a cliffhanger at the end that confirms it’s not over yet, but if we’re going purely on hypotheticals (NOTD 3 was released in 1997) what else could they possibly do with the story? At some point, they’d have to find a way for Angela to leave Hull House for an extended period of time. Give Angela a chance to really cut loose, while she spreads all kinds of mayhem in the outside world. Or, they could’ve demolished Hull House. Let us see what happens, when Angela’s home is gone. 

Night Of The Demons 3 wraps up the story with a solid happy ending, and I guess that’s enough. A lot of  horror franchises hit a twisting downward spiral after three films. It’s almost inevitable that it’ll happen, because after a while, it’s clear the powers that be are running out of new ideas and places to take the story.

Rating- 5/10

Night Of The Demons 3 (1997)(2025 Redo)

 **This post contains spoilers**

The Story- On Halloween night, Holly (Stephanie Bauder) and her friend, Abbie (Patricia Rodriguez) hitch a ride with Orson (Christian Tessier), Reggie (Joel Gordon), Nick (Gregory Calpakis), Vince (Kris Holden-Reid), and his girlfriend, Lois (Tara Slone) after Holly’s car breaks down. After a standoff and a shootout with two cops at a convenience store, Lois suggests using Hull House as a hideout.

At Hull House, Angela (Amelia Kinkade) appears with plans to possess the group one by one. Hours away from retirement, Lieutenant Dewhurst (Vlasta Vrana) heads to Hull House after a suggestion from a dispatcher. Sunrise remains the biggest ally for the group, but the survivors are outnumbered, and Angela complicates the deadly struggle after she offers Holly a tempting deal.

My Thoughts- Three films into the series, and Amelia Kinkade still brings a lot of energy to her performance as Angela. Usually, by the time you hit the third film, the main antagonist might feel a little bit stale, but that’s not the case here. You can always tell Kinkade is genuinely having a lot of fun playing Angela, the crafty and deceptive demoness, who gets a kick out of being a disruptor and causing mayhem. 

Something to pay attention to here is, Angela’s tactics as a master manipulator. There’s a good amount of tension and in-fighting within the group. Angela takes advantage of the constant drama and certain characters doubting themselves, whether it’s playing on Orson and Abbie’s insecurities, or pandering to Vince’s ego. 

Holly might be the popular cheerleader, but Stephanie Bauder portrays a humble and caring young woman, who’s willing to risk her life to save the others. Patricia Rodriguez plays her role well, as the nerdy sidekick, who’s struggling with self-confidence. 

Looking at Christian Tessier’s Orson, you can see he’s a wimpy geek. He wants to fit in, and prove to Vince that he’s capable of doing the dirty work, so he can get Vince’s seal of approval. Tara Slone’s Lois? She’s an unhinged jerk, which makes her a perfect match for Vince. 

Vince is a bad boy rebel and a hotheaded asshole, with a mean streak. Kris Holden-Reid does more than enough to convince you that Vince is someone, who’s easy to dislike or even hate, the tough guy, who tries way too hard to be a bad ass. Gregory Calpakis’ Nick is the only one the group, who’s brave enough to stand up to Vince. Nick is a good guy. Tough, he can think for himself, and I did get a few good laughs out of the little rivalry between Vince and Nick.

Vlasta Vrana’s Lieutenant Dewhurst is just so fun to watch. The old witty veteran, with a quick and snappy sense of humor, who’s racing against the clock to solve the case and save any survivors at Hull House before he retires. It’s a simple storyline, but it doesn’t work without Vrana’s performance. Vrana is so good here, and it’s almost to a point, where the story should’ve revolved around him as the main character. And Lieutenant Dewhurst does magic tricks!

Ian McDonald playing the convenience store clerk? His screen time is short, but you can take one look at this guy, and instantly see there’s just something sleazy about him. The guy just looks like a crook. Dewhurst toying with and grilling Mr. Morris (McDonald) was hilarious, because Morris’ story about the stolen money was obviously too phony. 

Don’t cross the underground stream (if you’re a demon)! Ending the movie with the tug-of-war between Angela, Holly, and Nick at the gate works for a satisfying finale. Of course, there’s a tease and a cliffhanger before the credits start rolling. Hull House lights up, and you can hear Angela’s voice wishing everyone a Happy Halloween, so she wasn’t truly defeated. Also, you have to believe that as long as Hull House is still standing, Angela will survive, because she shares a connection with the house. Remember, Hull House is not haunted, it’s possessed. 

You could say it’s kind of strange teasing a sequel that never happened, but I don’t have a big problem with how they ended Night Of The Demons 3. Yes, it’s obvious Holly and Nick were going to make it to the end as the two survivors. Still, it’s an enjoyable and satisfying finale. Holly promises to return to Hull House every year on Halloween to warn and protect people from Angela, and Holly using two tree branches to create a makeshift cross to lock the gates was a nice touch. 

WHAT happened to Hull House? Excluding a handful of rooms and areas, Hull House looks too clean and neat. Maybe I could do a photo shoot here? Or throw a dinner party? Overall, this version of Hull House really isn’t scary, and it’s missing the creepiness of the spooky and possessed old house in the first two films. And Hull House is clearly in a different location. All the trees, a lot of space in the woods, and for some reason there’s a barn here? I can understand switching things up, but as far as Hull House goes, I wasn’t a fan of the changes.

Speaking of changes, I’m glad they decided to change the setup for the story. Using Hull House, an abandoned funeral home with a horrifying past, as a hideout for the last place that anyone would think to look for a group of kids on the run from the cops, is a refreshing approach. 

We’re on the third film in the series, so reusing or retooling the storyline for a bunch of teenagers going to Hull House for a Halloween party is kind of ridiculous. We already know Angela is dangerous, so why would you throw a party at Hull House? Because you’re hoping for a terrifying realistic experience on Halloween night? Sure, bad things still happen, when the group runs into Angela. BUT it’s a lot easier to buy into the idea for Vince and everyone else using Hull House as a last resort, so they can have more time to figure things out.

Night Of The Demons 3 delivers more bloody violence and gore. Night Of The Demons 2 was more extreme, but there’s still more than enough to get a reaction out of you here. Angela’s tongue bursting through the back Orson’s head, Angela ripping Dewhurst’s heart out of his chest, and Angela’s melting corpse during the ending? Yep. This is truly a Night Of The Demons film.

There’s also some bizarre and freaky signature NOTD scenes here. Angela performs fellatio on Orson’s gun, and she finishes it off by sucking out the bullets. Angela transforming Lois’ snake sock puppet into a real snake is another good one, and Orson’s mask! Orson’s mask merging with his face to complete his transformation really works for a monstrous demonic look, a good and unique visual that separates him from the rest of the pack. 

Also, is Orson’s character (the demonic version) a slight nod to Freddy Krueger? Maybe I’m just reaching with this one, but Orson’s shirt has the same colors as Krueger’s sweater. After Orson is consumed by the demonic possession, he really starts hamming it up more with corny jokes, taking on the role of a comedian. Just something to think about, but maybe there’s a connection in there somewhere.

I hated Night Of The Demons 3 years ago. I really, really hated it. But the third entry gives you everything you’d expect from a Night Of The Demons film. Nudity, one brief sex scene, violence, and wacky, cheesy humor. I always roll my eyes at the “yo momma” jokes, but Night Of The Demons 3 still delivers a decent amount of laughs throughout the movie. 

And I can’t say enough about Amelia Kinkade and Vlasta Vrana’s performances. Kinkade and Vrana are the anchors for this cast. Similar to what happened in Night Of The Demons 2, Kinkade opens the movie, and she sets the tone for the carnage you’re about to witness, when poor Officer Larry (Larry Day) wanders into Hull House: “Here I’m the law….and it’s time to pronounce sentence.” Perfect delivery for that line, so smooth and so much confidence.

This was a big one for me, but I’m also happy they FINALLY showed what happens, when a demon crosses over the underground stream. Sure, we know the underground stream is the barrier that prevents Angela and the other demons from escaping Hull House. But you actually get to see what happens, when a demon tries to cross the stream here. The consequences are devastating, and the underground stream is a major plot point that plays a big role during the final struggle.

Yes, Night Of The Demons 3 comes along at a point, where it’s clear the series is running out of steam. It’s more of a stand-alone sequel, because there’s no real connections to the 1988 original or Night Of The Demons 2. Officer Larry briefly mentions St. Rita’s Academy and the murders, but that’s it. Still, Night Of The Demons 3 is a worthy and decent enough sequel, featuring Amelia Kinkade’s entertaining final outing as Angela. 

There’s a cliffhanger at the end that confirms it’s not over yet, but if we’re going purely on hypotheticals (NOTD 3 was released in 1997) what else could they possibly do with the story? At some point, they’d have to find a way for Angela to leave Hull House for an extended period of time. Give Angela a chance to really cut loose, while she spreads all kinds of mayhem in the outside world. Or, they could’ve demolished Hull House. Let us see what happens, when Angela’s home is gone. 

Night Of The Demons 3 wraps up the story with a solid happy ending, and I guess that’s enough. A lot of  horror franchises hit a twisting downward spiral after three films. It’s almost inevitable that it’ll happen, because after a while, it’s clear the powers that be are running out of new ideas and places to take the story.

Rating- 5/10

Night Of The Demons 2 (1994)(2025 Redo)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- Melissa “Mouse” Franklin (Merle Kennedy), Angela’s (Amelia Kinkade) younger sister, is tricked into going to a Halloween party at Hull House. Shirley Finnerty (Zoe Trilling), Rick (Rick Peters), and Z-Boy (Darin Heames) are the masterminds behind a cruel prank, and Melissa is the main target.

Melissa leaves St. Rita’s Academy with her best friend, Bibi (Cristi Harris), Terri (Christine Taylor), Johnny (Johnny Moran), Kurt (Ladd York), Shirley, and Rick. It’s clear something is horribly wrong at Hull House, but the group runs into a bigger problem, when Angela appears. Can Sister Gloria (Jennifer Rhodes), Father Bob (Rod McCary), and Perry (Robert Jayne) save Melissa and the others from Angela? 

My Thoughts- Mouse! A demeaning nickname? Yes, but it also weirdly fits. Melissa is tiny, soft-spoken, and she’s very jumpy. But there’s a list of reasons for why Melissa is shy, and why she heavily relies on Bibi as a support system and her only true friend. Melissa is an orphan, her sister seemingly vanished after the brutal massacre at Hull House in the original, and Melissa is geeky and kind of awkward, making her a prime target for jerks and bullies (e.g. Shirley). 

But Mouse is still someone, who’s so easy to root for. Merle Kennedy does an amazing job playing the vulnerable and sympathetic nerd. Through Kennedy’s performance, you can clearly see Melissa is traumatized, but there’s also a turn towards the end, where she’s forced to stand up to one big and powerful bully. Merle Kennedy easily delivers one of the best performances you’ll see in the series, and Melissa is truly a memorable character for Night Of The Demons.

Angela is back! Amelia Kinkade’s upbeat and energetic performance is one of the bigger highlights here. Angela is genuinely having fun being an evil menace in the sequel, fully embracing her status as the powerful demoness. There’s no conflicting emotions, or regrets about anything that happened in the previous film. She’s deep into the dark side, and Amelia Kinkade really brings her best as Angela again. 

The sequel features another solid cast of supporting characters, with distinct and unique personalities. Shirley Finnerty is a smart-ass and a bully, but it’s impossible to ignore Zoe Trilling’s charismatic presence. Trilling brings an arrogant swagger to Shirley, the fast talking rebel, who gets a kick out of breaking all the rules.

Jennifer Rhodes nearly steals the show as Sister Gloria. Playing a parodied version of the strict no nonsense nun, Rhodes brings a good amount of humor to Sister Gloria. The quick and witty comebacks, karate moves and swashbuckling with her trusty yard stick, and Sister Gloria has her own catchphrase (“Save a little room for the Holy Ghost”)! Sister Gloria is a disciplinarian, but she has a big heart, because Gloria truly cares about the kids at St. Rita’s Academy, especially Melissa. 

Kurt and Johnny share believable chemistry as two jocks and best buds. Kurt (also known as King Snake or Inch Worm) is more of an egomaniac, while Johnny is a bit more down-to-earth and levelheaded. Rick and Z-Boy? Two guys, who clearly peaked in high school. Rick Peters plays the cocky troublemaker, while Darin Heames’ Z-Boy is the goofy numbskull. Z-Boy tags along as Rick’s energetic idiot sidekick, and Heames adds more laughs to the movie with Z-Boy’s silly antics.

Cristi Harris brings an earnest and wholesome presence to Bibi. Bibi is one of the good ones here, no doubts about it. Christine Taylor’s Terri is a few steps below Shirley for picking on Melissa and being a bully. Not as bad as Shirley, but it’s noticeable. 

Taylor plays a kid, who just wants to have fun, and there’s a nod to Taylor’s Brady Bunch days, when Rick jokingly calls her Marcia. Terri’s also the storyteller, similar to Max’s role in the previous film. She plays an important part, telling camp fire-esque tales building up Angela’s dark mystique, as the local ghoul. If you’re brave or stupid enough to go to Hull House, you’ll have to deal with Angela. 

Father Bob comes off as someone, who enjoys the smell of his own farts. Rod McCary is appropriately smug and pompous as Father Bob, a fool, who waits too long to drop his big ego.

Robert Jayne’s Perry is an important character, the nerdy and persistent fighter, who’s obsessed with demons and demonology. They really don’t take the time to explore it, or flesh things out, but Perry shares a bond with Melissa. They’re both outcasts and geeks, so of course Perry and Melissa have to deal with bullies. Jayne has his big moments during the battle at Hull House towards the end, and he’s easily one of the more entertaining characters to watch throughout the movie.

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Night Of The Demons 2 delivers more exceptional makeup and practical effects. Evil, menacing boobs, big puddles of wet, bubbly, and sticky gore, and the “How’s about a smile, sis?” scene with Angela and Melissa? Nasty stuff. 

Hull House is still spooky. If we’re comparing Hull House to the original, it’s more spruced up, and who knows, maybe Angela’s been busy making some changes around the house, because why are the bed sheets so neat and clean? But Hull House is a dangerous place. You don’t want to find yourself stranded there, without any help, and that’s what’s important.

Night Of The Demons 2 is a few steps below the original. I don’t understand why they used footage from the original. Perry is about to attack, and here comes Angela! The problem is, you can clearly see it’s footage from the 1988 film, where Angela is menacingly floating down the hallway. I’m guessing something happened? Maybe they had to add this in during post-production for some reason. It’s a weird moment that throws everything off during a frenetic series of events, because the footage doesn’t synch up with Perry’s struggle to deliver a counterattack to Angela. 

But Night Of The Demons 2 is still a damn good follow up sequel. Effort! That’s one of the reasons why I still love this one. It’s not a lazy sequel at all. Angela is more established and confident as the main villain in the series, showing off her powers, how dominant she is, and Angela has a sword! We’re introduced to Angela’s sister, who plays a fantastic protagonist, and it’s revealed Angela and Melissa’s parents committed suicide after receiving a creepy Halloween card, signed by Angela. 

There’s a strong effort to push the story forward, but they still managed to maintain some continuity from the original. Keeping the underground stream surrounding Hull House that acts as a barrier for demons was an important factor. Although, the carnage is not limited to Hull House, because they used a clever trick to give a logical reason for Angela’s escape. A conveyance (that pesky tube of lipstick) protects Angela on her way to St. Rita’s Academy, and that’s when all hell breaks loose! A demented Angela and her minions running around outside of Hull House brings all the chaos you’d expect. Good stuff.

Religion, demonology, and a Catholic boarding school? Good versus evil, faith versus the temptation to join the dark side. Adding religious elements and occultism to the story puts more meat on the bones for Night Of The Demons 2. The chapel at St. Rita’s Academy is used a safe house, when Angela attacks. And what’s the most powerful weapon that’s capable of defeating Angela, a threatening and unstoppable force of evil? Faith.

Night Of The Demons 2 easily has the best opening in the series. Two door-to-door Jehovah’s Witnesses feel the need to visit Hull House. They’re eventually cornered by Angela, and you can probably guess what happens next. You just have to laugh at these two smiling Jehovah’s Witnesses, walking up to an abandoned creepy old funeral home with a big no trespassing sign on the front door. Sure, let’s stay optimistic, because nothing bad will happen, and there’s nothing weird about a lady living inside an abandoned house!

Cheesy, consistent laughs, fun gags (a talking head in a toilet), and A LOT of gross-out moments. Night Of The Demons 2 is loaded with more gore, nudity, sexual innuendos, Amelia Kinkade is still sharp as Angela, and moving the story outside of Hull House was a refreshing change. It’s a bit more silly and whackier than the original, complete with Super Soakers and water balloons filled with holy water. But you have to remember, Night Of The Demons 2 is a horror comedy about horny teenagers suffering the consequences of their stupid choices. If you’ve never seen it, Night Of The Demons 2 is definitely worth checking out, if you want to know where the story goes next.

I honestly wish they would’ve found a way to work Melissa into the story for Night Of The Demons 3. Maybe an older version of her? Melissa could’ve worked as a big surprise return, someone who survived Hull House and Angela. She has firsthand knowledge on how to fight her sister, and Melissa still had some mileage as a character in the series.

Rating- 7/10

Night Of The Demons 2 (1994)(2025 Redo)

 

**This post contains spoilers**

The Story- Melissa “Mouse” Franklin (Merle Kennedy), Angela’s (Amelia Kinkade) younger sister, is tricked into going to a Halloween party at Hull House. Shirley Finnerty (Zoe Trilling), Rick (Rick Peters), and Z-Boy (Darin Heames) are the masterminds behind a cruel prank, and Melissa is the main target.

Melissa leaves St. Rita’s Academy with her best friend, Bibi (Cristi Harris), Terri (Christine Taylor), Johnny (Johnny Moran), Kurt (Ladd York), Shirley, and Rick. It’s clear something is horribly wrong at Hull House, but the group runs into a bigger problem, when Angela appears. Can Sister Gloria (Jennifer Rhodes), Father Bob (Rod McCary), and Perry (Robert Jayne) save Melissa and the others from Angela? 

My Thoughts- Mouse! A demeaning nickname? Yes, but it also weirdly fits. Melissa is tiny, soft-spoken, and she’s very jumpy. But there’s a list of reasons for why Melissa is shy, and why she heavily relies on Bibi as a support system and her only true friend. Melissa is an orphan, her sister seemingly vanished after the brutal massacre at Hull House in the original, and Melissa is geeky and kind of awkward, making her a prime target for jerks and bullies (e.g. Shirley). 

But Mouse is still someone, who’s so easy to root for. Merle Kennedy does an amazing job playing the vulnerable and sympathetic nerd. Through Kennedy’s performance, you can clearly see Melissa is traumatized, but there’s also a turn towards the end, where she’s forced to stand up to one big and powerful bully. Merle Kennedy easily delivers one of the best performances you’ll see in the series, and Melissa is truly a memorable character for Night Of The Demons.

Angela is back! Amelia Kinkade’s upbeat and energetic performance is one of the bigger highlights here. Angela is genuinely having fun being an evil menace in the sequel, fully embracing her status as the powerful demoness. There’s no conflicting emotions, or regrets about anything that happened in the previous film. She’s deep into the dark side, and Amelia Kinkade really brings her best as Angela again. 

The sequel features another solid cast of supporting characters, with distinct and unique personalities. Shirley Finnerty is a smart-ass and a bully, but it’s impossible to ignore Zoe Trilling’s charismatic presence. Trilling brings an arrogant swagger to Shirley, the fast talking rebel, who gets a kick out of breaking all the rules.

Jennifer Rhodes nearly steals the show as Sister Gloria. Playing a parodied version of the strict no nonsense nun, Rhodes brings a good amount of humor to Sister Gloria. The quick and witty comebacks, karate moves and swashbuckling with her trusty yard stick, and Sister Gloria has her own catchphrase (“Save a little room for the Holy Ghost”)! Sister Gloria is a disciplinarian, but she has a big heart, because Gloria truly cares about the kids at St. Rita’s Academy, especially Melissa. 

Kurt and Johnny share believable chemistry as two jocks and best buds. Kurt (also known as King Snake or Inch Worm) is more of an egomaniac, while Johnny is a bit more down-to-earth and levelheaded. Rick and Z-Boy? Two guys, who clearly peaked in high school. Rick Peters plays the cocky troublemaker, while Darin Heames’ Z-Boy is the goofy numbskull. Z-Boy tags along as Rick’s energetic idiot sidekick, and Heames adds more laughs to the movie with Z-Boy’s silly antics.  

Cristi Harris brings an earnest and wholesome presence to Bibi. Bibi is one of the good ones here, no doubts about it. Christine Taylor’s Terri is a few steps below Shirley for picking on Melissa and being a bully. Not as bad as Shirley, but it’s noticeable. 

Taylor plays a kid, who just wants to have fun, and there’s a nod to Taylor’s Brady Bunch days, when Rick jokingly calls her Marcia. Terri’s also the storyteller, similar to Max’s role in the previous film. She plays an important part, telling camp fire-esque tales building up Angela’s dark mystique, as the local ghoul. If you’re brave or stupid enough to go to Hull House, you’ll have to deal with Angela.   

Father Bob comes off as someone, who enjoys the smell of his own farts. Rod McCary is appropriately smug and pompous as Father Bob, a fool, who waits too long to drop his big ego.

Robert Jayne’s Perry is an important character, the nerdy and persistent fighter, who’s obsessed with demons and demonology. They really don’t take the time to explore it, or flesh things out, but Perry shares a bond with Melissa. They’re both outcasts and geeks, so of course Perry and Melissa have to deal with bullies. Jayne has his big moments during the battle at Hull House towards the end, and he’s easily one of the more entertaining characters to watch throughout the movie.

Melissa stabs Angela with her own sword! Melissa ironically standing up to Angela, her own sister, and the last bully she has to deal with really works a good triumphant moment for her.

Right before Melissa stabs her, Angela was urging (“NOW MOUSE!”) Melissa to kill Sister Gloria. But Melissa refuses, angrily telling Angela “My name is Melissa!” before she makes the big decision. Throughout the movie, Melissa gives that response anytime someone calls her Mouse. You’re waiting for that one moment, when Melissa strikes back with a more confident and aggressive tone. She was tired of being picked on, deceived, and pushed around. Melissa just wanted a normal relationship with her sister, because she was lonely, and Melissa genuinely missed Angela. 

Did I actually believe Melissa would kill Sister Gloria? No. I COULD buy into it happening, because during the home stretch, Melissa starts to trust Angela. She wants to be with her sister, she wants to feel strong and confident, and Melissa is tired of being treated like crap. Still, I didn’t believe Melissa would actually murder Sister Gloria. 

A solid and overall satisfying finale with a feel-good ending. The fight with the big snake demon version of Angela? Truly a freaky visual to witness, and it’s a good surprise after Angela is seemingly defeated during the botched ritual sacrifice.

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Night Of The Demons 2 delivers more exceptional makeup and practical effects. Evil, menacing boobs, big puddles of wet, bubbly, and sticky gore, and the “How’s about a smile, sis?” scene with Angela and Melissa? Nasty stuff. The demon version of Kurt playing basketball and using his own head as the ball, only to reattach it to himself and attack Johnny brought a good laugh out of me. Snake demon Angela looks AMAZING. There’s no denying it. They really nailed everything, including picture-perfect snake movements and mannerisms, and Angela’s grotesque appearance in that form. 

Hull House is still spooky. If we’re comparing Hull House to the original, it’s more spruced up, and who knows, maybe Angela’s been busy making some changes around the house, because why are the bed sheets so neat and clean? But Hull House is a dangerous place. You don’t want to find yourself stranded there, without any help, and that’s what’s important.

Night Of The Demons 2 is a few steps below the original. I don’t understand why they used footage from the original. Perry is about to attack, and here comes Angela! The problem is, you can clearly see it’s footage from the 1988 film, where Angela is menacingly floating down the hallway. I’m guessing something happened? Maybe they had to add this in during post-production for some reason. It’s a weird moment that throws everything off during a frenetic series of events, because the footage doesn’t synch up with Perry’s struggle to deliver a counterattack to Angela. 

But Night Of The Demons 2 is still a damn good follow up sequel. Effort! That’s one of the reasons why I still love this one. It’s not a lazy sequel at all. Angela is more established and confident as the main villain in the series, showing off her powers, how dominant she is, and Angela has a sword! We’re introduced to Angela’s sister, who plays a fantastic protagonist, and it’s revealed Angela and Melissa’s parents committed suicide after receiving a creepy Halloween card, signed by Angela. 

There’s a strong effort to push the story forward, but they still managed to maintain some continuity from the original. Keeping the underground stream surrounding Hull House that acts as a barrier for demons was an important factor. Although, the carnage is not limited to Hull House, because they used a clever trick to give a logical reason for Angela’s escape. A conveyance (that pesky tube of lipstick) protects Angela on her way to St. Rita’s Academy, and that’s when all hell breaks loose! A demented Angela and her minions running around outside of Hull House brings all the chaos you’d expect. Good stuff.

Religion, demonology, and a Catholic boarding school? Good versus evil, faith versus the temptation to join the dark side. Adding religious elements and occultism to the story puts more meat on the bones for Night Of The Demons 2. The chapel at St. Rita’s Academy is used a safe house, when Angela attacks. And what’s the most powerful weapon that’s capable of defeating Angela (the sunlight burns into the shape of a cross on her chest before the snake demon version of Angela explodes), a threatening and unstoppable force of evil? Faith.

Night Of The Demons 2 easily has the best opening in the series. Two door-to-door Jehovah’s Witnesses feel the need to visit Hull House. They’re eventually cornered by Angela, and you can probably guess what happens next. You just have to laugh at these two smiling Jehovah’s Witnesses, walking up to an abandoned creepy old funeral home with a big no trespassing sign on the front door. Sure, let’s stay optimistic, because nothing bad will happen, and there’s nothing weird about a lady living inside an abandoned house!

Cheesy, consistent laughs, fun gags (a talking head in a toilet), and A LOT of gross-out moments. Night Of The Demons 2 is loaded with more gore, nudity, sexual innuendos, Amelia Kinkade is still sharp as Angela, and moving the story outside of Hull House was a refreshing change. It’s a bit more silly and whackier than the original, complete with Super Soakers and water balloons filled with holy water. But you have to remember, Night Of The Demons 2 is a horror comedy about horny teenagers suffering the consequences of their stupid choices. If you’ve never seen it, Night Of The Demons 2 is definitely worth checking out, if you want to know where the story goes next.

I honestly wish they would’ve found a way to work Melissa into the story for Night Of The Demons 3. Maybe an older version of her? Melissa could’ve worked as a big surprise return, someone who survived Hull House and Angela. She has firsthand knowledge on how to fight her sister, and Melissa still had some mileage as a character in the series.

Rating- 7/10

Night Of The Demons (1988)(2025 Redo)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- On Halloween night, Angela (Amelia Kinkade), with some help from her friend, Suzanne (Linnea Quigley), prepares for a Halloween party at Hull House, an isolated and abandoned funeral home. “Scaring the shit out of” her guests is Angela’s main goal. Judy (Cathy Podewell), Rodger (Alvin Alexis), Helen (Allison Barron), Stooge (Hal Havins), Jay (Lance Fenton), Max (Philip Tanzini), and his girlfriend, Frannie (Jill Terashita) are all invited, but Sal (William Gallo) sneaks in at the last minute. 

A bum stereo temporarily dampens the mood, but Frannie suggests a past life seance. After the seance, the party takes a dark turn, when the group unknowingly unleashes a demon… 

My Thoughts- If you take one look at Angela and Suzanne, you’d never guess the two of them are friends. Linnea Quigley brings a bubbly and enthusiastic spark to Suzanne. She fits the bill for being a wild party girl. 

Angela? You can tell she’s someone, who takes pride in being an outsider, or as Judy says the “weirdo.” Amelia Kinkade’s confident and sharp performance as Angela is just so fun to watch. She relishes in being the evil ring leader after Suzanne passes the demon to her. Angela smiling at Sal after the possession takes a hold of her sticks out as a big moment. It’s a devilish smile, because Angela knows she’s about to cause a lot of trouble. 

But there’s one scene, where Kinkade shows some believable vulnerability. After the seance, Angela realizes the group is in serious danger. Angela is scared, and she realizes she made a mistake. Angela is one of my all-time favorites for horror movie characters. The black wedding dress is a great look for her, and she’s one of those characters that I always have a hard time picturing anyone else playing, because Kinkade is simply phenomenal as Angela. 

Night Of The Demons has a high death count, but it’s not a case where the characters are too thin or disposable, because EVERYONE adds something to the movie. Cathy Podewell nails Judy, playing a humble and innocent protagonist, with a hopeful and positive personality. Judy dressed as Alice from Alice in Wonderland just works on so many levels. Podewell has the perfect look to resemble Alice. On top of that, Judy is stuck in a living nightmare, a nightmare, where’s she forced to fight to stay alive.

For years I couldn’t stand Rodger. He constantly freaks out and panics, he’s whiny, and running away is usually Rodger’s first choice over helping out, or taking a stand to fight. But you know what? I get it now. Imagine being trapped inside an old funeral home, and your possessed friends are trying to kill you. That’s terrifying, so of course Rodger is scared. 

Rodger is smart. While everyone else was more concerned with partying and sex, Rodger was focused on surviving and looking for a way to escape. Rodger’s reactions to everything going on inside Hull House? The way he reacts feels more realistic for how any normal human being would respond to dealing with an unprecedented situation and supernatural threats. 

Stooge? Yes, he’s a wild party animal, and he’s also an asshole. But it’s not that simple with Stooge, because you get the feeling Stooge is someone, who tries way too hard to fit in with the cool kids. There’s one scene, where Suzanne locks herself in the bathroom. Stooge sounds upset and frustrated that he can’t get in. You can hear that disappointed whimper in Hal Havins’ voice, the one moment, where the mask falls off for Stooge.

William Gallo confidently plays the kid, who’s too cool for school and the rebel tough guy, but Sal turns the corner to become one of the heroes towards the end. Lance Fenton’s Jay is kind of a tool, who takes himself too seriously, the guy, who runs into a big problem, because he’s obsessed with chasing sex. 

Philip Tanzini’s Max has an important role here. Max is a jokester, with a snappy and upbeat sense of humor, but he’s also the storyteller, explaining the dark history behind Hull House, and “Old Man Hull’s” unusual lifestyle. And kudos to Donnie Jeffcoat Jr. for a few good laughs during his brief screen time as Billy, Judy’s obnoxious and bratty younger brother.

Hull House is the perfect setting for Night Of The Demons, the old funeral home in the middle of nowhere. Cobwebs, it’s dirty, quiet, and there’s an eerie spookiness throughout Hull House. It’s bad enough you’re being hunted and chased around by demons, and to make matters worse, you’re miles away from civilization. 

The house is not haunted, it’s possessed! Another important layer for Hull House, because emphasizing the dangers of a possessed house over a haunted house separates Night Of The Demons from other haunting films, adding a refreshing nugget to the story. Scary stuff, because Hull House is the absolute last place anyone wants to be, demons or no demons.

Going by Max’s stories, Mr. Hull was obviously a weird and creepy dude, who lived a strange lifestyle. The underground running stream working as a barrier to prevent any demons from leaving Hull House is another nice touch. Screenwriter Joe Augustyn puts a lot of effort into building up the dark mystique of Hull House, stepping over the line for an ordinary abandoned building, and crossing into hell on earth territory. 

Night Of The Demons has a fantastic soundtrack, and each song perfectly complements certain scenes and moments throughout the movie. Computer Date for the start of the party, The Beast Inside for Stooge and Angela’s brief slow dance, and my top pick goes to Stigmata Martyr during Angela’s electric dance in front of Sal.

I can’t say enough about the excellent practical and makeup effects here. So many great picks to choose from, but one that always sticks out for me is, Suzanne pushing the tube of the lipstick into her boob. It’s not just the fact that she did it, but Linnea Quigley jamming her finger all the way inside really adds to the squirming reaction they were going for. Angela “warming her hands in the fire”? Truly a gnarly and shocking moment.

Two big problems with the missing gate and the window. Big plot holes, but Night Of The Demons is still a fun horror comedy. Just the right amount of cheesiness, consistent laughs, and the morbid humor is hilarious. Each character has their own unique brand of comedy, and Stooge (“EAT A BOWL OF FUCK! I AM HERE TO PARTYYYY!”) is easily one of my favorites. And that miserable old codger got what he deserved in the end. 

Night Of The Demons is a great hidden gem, if you’re into 80’s horror movies. And thirty-seven years later, Night Of The Demons still has one of the best horror movie intros!

Rating- 9/10

Night Of The Demons (1988)(2025 Redo)

 

**This post contains spoilers**

The Story- On Halloween night, Angela (Amelia Kinkade), with some help from her friend, Suzanne (Linnea Quigley), prepares for a Halloween party at Hull House, an isolated and abandoned funeral home. “Scaring the shit out of” her guests is Angela’s main goal. Judy (Cathy Podewell), Rodger (Alvin Alexis), Helen (Allison Barron), Stooge (Hal Havins), Jay (Lance Fenton), Max (Philip Tanzini), and his girlfriend, Frannie (Jill Terashita) are all invited, but Sal (William Gallo) sneaks in at the last minute. 

A bum stereo temporarily dampens the mood, but Frannie suggests a past life seance. After the seance, the party takes a dark turn, when the group unknowingly unleashes a demon… 

My Thoughts- If you take one look at Angela and Suzanne, you’d never guess the two of them are friends. Linnea Quigley brings a bubbly and enthusiastic spark to Suzanne. She fits the bill for being a wild party girl. 

Angela? You can tell she’s someone, who takes pride in being an outsider, or as Judy says the “weirdo.” Amelia Kinkade’s confident and sharp performance as Angela is just so fun to watch. She relishes in being the evil ring leader after Suzanne passes the demon to her. Angela smiling at Sal after the possession takes a hold of her sticks out as a big moment. It’s a devilish smile, because Angela knows she’s about to cause a lot of trouble. 

But there’s one scene, where Kinkade shows some believable vulnerability. After the seance, Angela realizes the group is in serious danger. Angela is scared, and she realizes she made a mistake. Angela is one of my all-time favorites for horror movie characters. The black wedding dress is a great look for her, and she’s one of those characters that I always have a hard time picturing anyone else playing, because Kinkade is simply phenomenal as Angela. 

Night Of The Demons has a high death count, but it’s not a case where the characters are too thin or disposable, because EVERYONE adds something to the movie. Cathy Podewell nails Judy, playing a humble and innocent protagonist, with a hopeful and positive personality. Judy dressed as Alice from Alice in Wonderland just works on so many levels. Podewell has the perfect look to resemble Alice. On top of that, Judy is stuck in a living nightmare, a nightmare, where’s she forced to fight to stay alive.

For years I couldn’t stand Rodger. He constantly freaks out and panics, he’s whiny, and running away is usually Rodger’s first choice over helping out, or taking a stand to fight. But you know what? I get it now. Imagine being trapped inside an old funeral home, and your possessed friends are trying to kill you. That’s terrifying, so of course Rodger is scared. 

Rodger is smart. While everyone else was more concerned with partying and sex, Rodger was focused on surviving and looking for a way to escape. Rodger’s reactions to everything going on inside Hull House? The way he reacts feels more realistic for how any normal human being would respond to dealing with an unprecedented situation and supernatural threats. 

Stooge? Yes, he’s a party animal, and he’s also an asshole. But it’s not that simple with Stooge, because you get the feeling Stooge is someone, who tries way too hard to fit in with the cool kids. There’s one scene, where Suzanne locks herself in the bathroom. Stooge sounds upset and frustrated that he can’t get in. You can hear that disappointed whimper in Hal Havins’ voice, the one moment, where the mask falls off for Stooge.

William Gallo confidently plays the kid, who’s too cool for school and the rebel tough guy, but Sal turns the corner to become one of the heroes towards the end. Lance Fenton’s Jay is kind of a tool, who takes himself too seriously, the guy, who runs into a big problem, because he’s obsessed with chasing sex. 

Philip Tanzini’s Max has an important role here. Max is a jokester, with a snappy and upbeat sense of humor, but he’s also the storyteller, explaining the dark history behind Hull House, and “Old Man Hull’s” unusual lifestyle. And kudos to Donnie Jeffcoat Jr. for a few good laughs during his brief screen time as Billy, Judy’s obnoxious and bratty younger brother.

Hull House is the perfect setting for Night Of The Demons, the old funeral home in the middle of nowhere. Cobwebs, it’s dirty, quiet, and there’s an eerie spookiness throughout Hull House. It’s bad enough you’re being hunted and chased around by demons, and to make matters worse, you’re miles away from civilization. 

The house is not haunted, it’s possessed! Another important layer for Hull House, because emphasizing the dangers of a possessed house over a haunted house separates Night Of The Demons from other haunting films, adding a refreshing nugget to the story. Scary stuff, because Hull House is the absolute last place anyone wants to be, demons or no demons.

Going by Max’s stories, Mr. Hull was obviously a weird and creepy dude, who lived a strange lifestyle. The underground running stream working as a barrier to prevent any demons from leaving Hull House is another nice touch. Screenwriter Joe Augustyn puts a lot of effort into building up the dark mystique of Hull House, stepping over the line for an ordinary abandoned building, and crossing into hell on earth territory. 

WHERE’S THE GATE! Escaping Hull House is the main goal, when the madness starts, but the gate disappears? Rodger, digging deep to find his courage to save Judy (“Climb girl, climb!”), works as a good moment of redemption for him. 

But here’s my problem with it, if Rodger and Judy managed to escape by climbing over the wall, then why didn’t everyone, or anyone else try it earlier? What was the point of harping on the gate that magically disappeared as the only means of escaping Hull House? Taking a few steps backwards, Rodger jumps through a window to get outside. Okay, again, WHY didn’t anyone think of jumping through the window, or breaking the glass to get outside? 

Judy and Rodger, exhausted, beaten up and worn down, walking together, and holding hands after sunrise as the only two survivors, is a great visual. Still, it’s impossible to ignore the massive plot holes surrounding the gate (they never give an explanation for why the gate vanished) and the window. 

Night Of The Demons has a fantastic soundtrack, and each song perfectly complements certain scenes and moments throughout the movie. Computer Date for the start of the party, The Beast Inside for Stooge and Angela’s brief slow dance, and my top pick goes to Stigmata Martyr during Angela’s electric dance in front of Sal.

I can’t say enough about the excellent practical and makeup effects here. So many great picks to choose from, but one that always sticks out for me is, Suzanne pushing the tube of the lipstick into her boob. It’s not just the fact that she did it, but Linnea Quigley jamming her finger all the way inside really adds to the squirming reaction they were going for. Angela “warming her hands in the fire”? Truly a gnarly and shocking moment. The razor blades bulging out of the old man’s neck during the final moments? The blood oozing out, and that excruciating look of pain on Harold Ayer’s face lets you know the old man suffered during that scene.

Two big problems with the missing gate and the window. Big plot holes, but Night Of The Demons is still a fun horror comedy. Just the right amount of cheesiness, consistent laughs, and the morbid humor is hilarious. I always laugh at Sal’s tombstone, because the date for his death is marked as “tonight.” Each character has their own unique brand of comedy, and Stooge (“EAT A BOWL OF FUCK! I AM HERE TO PARTYYYY!”) is easily one of my favorites. And that miserable old codger got what he deserved in the end. 

Night Of The Demons is a great hidden gem, if you’re into 80’s horror movies. And thirty-seven years later, Night Of The Demons still has one of the best horror movie intros!

Rating- 9/10

Character Spotlight- Rodger- Night Of The Demons (1988)

 

**This post contains spoilers**

Hull House is crawling with demons! Run, hide, or fight? Well, panic is Rodger’s (Alvin Alexis) first reaction to everything that happens inside and outside of Hull House. If he can’t run from danger, Rodger will do his best to find the best or any available hiding spots, hoping to wait it out until sunrise. 

Suzanne (Linnea Quigley), Sal (William Gallo), Stooge (Hal Havins), Jay (Lance Fenton), Frannie (Jill Terashita), and Max (Philip Tanzini) were all more concerned with partying and sex. Judy (Cathy Podewell) and Helen (Allison Barron)? They knew something was wrong. And Helen actually saw the demon in the mirror.

Rodger? He warned everyone about the dangers of Frannie’s suggested past life séance. Rodger, the son of a preacher, knows playing around with supernatural evil forces is a bad idea. Notice how seriously Rodger approaches everything compared to everyone else. When Angela (Amelia Kinkade) starts the past life séance, Rodger is the only one, who turns his back to the mirror. He didn’t want to take ANY chances of getting caught up in the madness. 

Rodger, with a justifiably nervous Helen, tried to leave Hull House before anyone else. Sure, Sal eventually realized something was off after Angela’s dance and a bizarre encounter with Suzanne, but it’s a case of too little, too late. 

Is Rodger a coward? He did break Judy’s fall from the roof, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that he bailed on her more than once, when the duo was cornered by demons. The scene in the crematorium? Judy is pushing to escape, to quickly find a way out. Rodger wants to sit and pray, and he’s too scared to make a move.

It’s easy to wag the finger of shame at Rodger. Judy and Sal constantly try to motivate and reassure Rodger, but nothing clicks. He still panics, leading to one conclusion: Rodger is a chicken, who’s only concerned with saving himself. Or maybe he’s not? Imagine this, you’re basically trapped inside a creepy and abandoned funeral home. Your best friends are possessed by demons, and they’re all trying to kill you. On top of all that, you only have a slim chance of making it out alive, IF you can outrun and possibly outsmart Angela and her entire crew until sunrise.

That’s A LOT to deal with, so staying calm, or trying to be the brave hero isn’t so easy. For years, he was an annoying character for me, but if you really pay attention, there’s some strong realism for Rodger’s mindset throughout the movie. He’s reacting and responding how almost anyone would, if they were being chased and hunted by demons. 

Alvin Alexis delivers a convincing performance. You can believe Rodger is genuinely scared. Alexis plays a guy, who’s ready to jump out of his own skin, but Rodger also does whatever it takes to survive, including jumping through a window. Alexis’ performance is also good for a few laughs. Rodger’s outbursts are hilarious, ripping on Stooge, and some chuckles for Rodger bolting at the first signs of trouble. 

It’s also ironic how Rodger winds up being the hero to save Judy (“Climb, girl climb!”) during the finale. Yes, Rodger hesitated. He almost ran away, but he found just enough courage to come back and rescue Judy. You can say a lot about Rodger. He’s a wuss, a chicken, or you could say he’s selfish. Still, what’s important about the ending to his story? The one thing Helen, Stooge, Max, Jay, Frannie, Sal, and Suzanne couldn’t do? Rodger survived. 

Character Spotlight- Angela Franklin & Angela Feld- Night Of The Demons

**This post contains spoilers**

It's Halloween night, and with some help from her friend, Suzanne (Linnea Quigley), Angela Franklin (Amelia Kinkade) plans to throw an unforgettable Halloween party. Angela is not interested in fake cobwebs, bobbing for apples, or a group circle for cheesy ghost stories, while the storyteller holds a flashlight up to his or her face, with a scrunched look to top it off. No, Angela wants authenticity, so she chooses Hull House, an abandoned funeral home with a dark past, for the party's location.

Angela's guest list (with the exception of an uninvited Sal crashing the party) includes Judy (Cathy Podewell), her boyfriend, Jay (Lance Fenton), Roger (Alvin Alexis), Helen (Allison Barron), Stooge (Hal Havins), Sal (William Gallo), Max (Philip Tanzini), and his girlfriend, Frannie (Jill Terashita), and the group enjoys music, booze, and dancing. The vibrant atmosphere for the party dwindles after a few hiccups, but things pick up, when Frannie suggests a past lives seance. But the seance takes an unexpected turn for the worst, when the group unleashes a demon from Hull House's crematorium.

Is Angela the popular kid at school? Nope. Angela Franklin is an outcast, or if you listen to Judy, she's a "weirdo." Angela chooses a black wedding dress as a costume, and her Gothic style look and her make-up complements her persona, as a confident vixen. She's an enthusiast for the dark side and mischievous mayhem, and Angela relishes the opportunity to show-off her newfound powers, when Suzanne passes the demon to her with one kiss.


                            

Demonized Angela terrorizes her party guests during the fiasco at Hull House, and Angela has a grotesque appearance in her demon form, but in her normal human form, Angela uses seduction as a weapon for her male victims. After Angela performed a sultry dance in front of him, Sal was smart enough to notice something strange. Sal walked away to avoid Angela's trap, but a gullible Stooge couldn't resist Angela, and he lost his tongue, as Angela passed the demon to him. Let's take a minute to admire Amelia Kinkade's memorable dance scene:

                                      


Kinkade takes center stage with a charismatic performance, and she establishes her presence in the Night Of The Demons series, as the devious primary antagonist with a dark sense of humor in Night Of The Demons 1988. Roger and Judy were lucky enough to walk away from a rough night with bumps, bruises, and scars during sunrise, and after a bloody night of carnage, Angela is stuck at Hull House (Remember the underground stream at the gates of Hull House? Demons can't cross over running water). Still, Angela is not done yet, so it's time to fast forward to Night Of The Demons 2!


                                    

In Night Of The Demons 2, the mythos of Angela has evolved past the point of some freak occurrence at Hull House or a gruesome massacre from Angela after the events in the first film. Now, Angela Franklin fully embraces her status, as the malicious bogeywoman, who haunts the halls of Hull House, and in the sequel Angela has a new mission: She wants to sacrifice her estranged sister, Melissa (or "Mouse"). First, Angela has to overcome a few small hurdles, because Melissa is a student at St. Rita's Academy, and Angela misses her first opportunity to grab Melissa inside Hull House   
during Shirley Finnerty's prank/party.

Eventually, Angela manipulates Melissa into believing she wants to reconnect with her, so Melissa follows Angela to Hull House, forcing Sister Gloria to lead a rescue mission to save Melissa. Before and during the rescue mission, Angela pulls out a familiar bag of tricks, including seduction to torment, possess, and murder the students (and Rick and Z-boy) of St. Rita's Academy. And for some reason, Angela uses a sword as a weapon here. Yes, you can say it's a cool accessory for her character, but there's no explanation for it, how Angela acquired the sword, or who gave it to her, but for some strange reason Angela has a sword? Okay then.

Kinkade delivers another entertaining performance, and she has her moments as Angela in NOD 2. My only complaint is the sequel trying to recreate Angela's dance scene from the first film. It happens during Angela's invasion at St. Rita's Academy, and during the Halloween party, Angela puts on a show with another sexy dance, but the moment falls flat for me, and it's not Kinkade's fault. The music is terrible, it kills the mood for Angela stealing the show, and everything feels forced.  

In the end, Melissa comes to her senses ("My name is Melissa!"), when she stabs Angela in her lower abdomen, causing a crippling wound. And with some help from Johnny, Bibi, and Sister Gloria, Melissa finally defeats Angela (in a more imposing form, as a large snake), but we're talking about horror films, so Angela has to make another inexplicable comeback in Night Of The Demons 3, right?  

                                  

Well, it's Halloween night, and Angela is all alone and bored inside Hull House, so she has to have some fun. After a shootout at a convenience store, Vince leads a reluctant group to Hull House, but Angela flips the script, when Vince plans to use Hull House as a hideout.

                              


Kinkade's presence and her performance are on a short, short list of a highlights in Night Of The Demons 3 (or Demon House), a lousy and forgettable sequel. Kinkade delivers another classic Angela moment, when she disarms Orson (figuratively and literally) after she performs fellatio on his gun. Also, Angela has another dance scene in NOD 3, but it's nothing to brag about. Kinkade tries to hold this one together, as the anchor for a sinking ship in NOD 3, but she's not a miracle worker.

Angela toys with another set of dimwits and a few unlikely heroes (Holly and Nick) in NOD 3. And of course, Part 3 leaves us with another "it's not over yet" cliffhanger after Holly and Nick "defeat" Angela, when Angela's voice wishes the audience a "Happy Halloween" with a sinister laugh before the credits roll.

Remember the eccentric outsider in Night Of The Demons 1988? Well, things change in the 2009 remake.

                                 


Angela Feld (Shannon Elizabeth) is not an outcast. She's a cocky party girl, who's not afraid to take what she wants. Angela hosts a Halloween bash at The Broussard Family Mansion, and Angela gives herself a grand entrance for officiall kick-off. But when Diana steals the money, and when the cops pull the plug on the party, Angela is stuck in a miserable dilemma.

Maddie, Lily, Jason, Dex, Colin, and Suzanne join Angela as stranded party guests, and all hell breaks loose, when a skeleton in the basement bites Angela's finger. The demon eventually possesses Angela's body, and when Angela passes the demon to Dex during a game of spin the bottle, she unleashes the demon's vicious wrath, sparking a chaotic life-or-death struggle for Maddie, Jason, and Colin.

                              


Shannon Elizabeth's Angela is more arrogant in the remake, and if you're wondering, yes, Angela uses seduction as a weapon here (just ask Suzanne and Dex). Angela is still the ringleader for her demon minions in the remake, and you'll see a more intimidating demonized form for Angela here. Elizabeth delivers an entertaining performance as Angela, and one of the more memorable Angela moments happens, when Angela taunts Maddie, as she reveals her plans to mutilate Colin before she turns him, while Maddie, Jason, and Colin are hiding in the upstairs bedroom protected by the maid's spells.

The 2009 remake is a solid and enjoyable film, but it's hard to ignore a missed opportunity for a one on one final battle between Angela and Maddie. A more ferocious and aggressive version of Angela facing off against Monica Keena, a woman with a reputation for being a tough and resilient final girl in horror films? Sign me up! 

If we're talking about popularity and legacies, you can't put Angela in the upper echelon with the likes of  Myers, Jason, and Krueger, but she definitely deserves a spot on the all-time list for forgotten or obscure horror characters. Charisma, a dark sense of humor, a never ending appetite for carnage, and sex appeal? Yep. As a character, Angela has everything any horror fan could ask for and more, but if she tries to offer you a kiss or a dance, saying no is the best option, because there's a good chance you'll lose your tongue (Stooge), your face (2009 Suzanne), or your soul.  


If you're interested, you can follow the links below to read my reviews for Night Of The Demons (1988), Night Of The Demons 2, Night Of The Demons 3, the 2009 remake, and a Character Spotlight post for Melissa "Mouse" Franklin:

Night Of The Demons (1988)- http://mitchmacready.blogspot.com/2012/11/night-of-demons-1988.html

Night Of The Demons 2- http://mitchmacready.blogspot.com/2012/11/night-of-demons-1994.html

Night Of The Demons 3/Demon House- http://mitchmacready.blogspot.com/2012/11/night-of-demons-3demon-house-1997.html

Character Spotlight for Melissa Franklin- http://mitchmacready.blogspot.com/2014/03/character-spotlight-melissa-mouse.html

Twitter- https://twitter.com/LQuigleyFan1

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/mitch.macready

Character Spotlight- Melissa "Mouse" Franklin- Merle Kennedy- Night Of The Demons 2 (1994)

**This post contains spoilers**

Angela Franklin's (Amelia Kinkade) sister is a real troublemaker, right? A real hell-raiser, someone, who's not afraid of trouble, or danger! Well, if that's what you're expecting from the younger sister of the demon villainess, then you're in for a big surprise.

Melissa Franklin (Merle Kennedy) is not a rebel, a free spirit, or a loose cannon. She's a geeky outcast at St. Rita's Academy (a Catholic school for troubled teenagers), and to make matters worse, Melissa is the primary target for Shirley Finnerty's (Zoe Trilling) wrath. Melissa trusts Bibi (Cristi Harris) as her best friend on campus, and Sister Gloria (Jennifer Rhodes) plays the role of a watchful protector for Melissa, but Shirley devises a plan with her boyfriend Rick (Rick Peters), and Rick's best friend, Z-boy (Darin Heames) to lure Melissa into a devious prank/trap.

Terri (Christine Taylor) is a proud member of the "Bullying Melissa brigade," but after a reassuring seal of approval from Bibi, Melissa accepts Shirley's invitation to a special Halloween party. Johnny (Johnny Moran) is looking for a romantic night with Bibi, so he joins the party, and Johnny's best friend, Kurt (Ladd York) follows the group for spooky fun. The big surprise for Melissa? The party is at Hull House, the home of Angela's disastrous Halloween party. The sight of her sister's final resting place sends Melissa into a panic, but Z-boy (wearing a Halloween a mask) forces Melissa into the house after a surprise scare.

Perry (Robert Jane, credited as Bobby Jacoby) uses his rich knowledge of demonology to lend a helping hand, but a suspicious Sister Gloria is running out of time, and an inept Father Bob's (Rob McCary) arrogance complicates any plans for an immediate rescue mission. Melissa is on a collision course for a deadly reunion with her demonic sister, and the situation takes a bizarre turn for the worst, when Angela uses a tube of lipstick as vessel to crash the Halloween part at St. Rita's Academy.

Mouse? It's a suitable nickname for Angela's little sister. She's tiny and soft spoken, but Melissa  has a "MY NAME IS!" moment during the big finale (more on that later). It's easy to feel sympathy for Melissa, because she's a lonely outcast. Melissa receives support from Bibi, Perry, and Sister Gloria, but Shirley and her minions launch an attack to make Melissa's life a living hell.

For me, the relationship between Angela and Melissa is the major highlight in Night Of The Demons 2. Why? Because Night Of The Demons 2 puts a noticeable amount of effort into Melissa's backstory. More often than not, low budget horror sequels take the lazy approach to capitalize off of the name value from a successful or praised original, and the end result is a cheap and forgettable knock-off, with a shabby story and a terrible cast.

Anyway, at St. Rita's Academy, the sight of Angela frightens Melissa (for obvious reasons), but Angela reassures Melissa with a hug (luckily, Angela's hug obstructed Melissa's view of Angela's demonized face). Melissa wants to believe in Angela's promise for a second chance at a happy relationship with her big sister. Technically, Angela is the only living family member in Melissa's life, because Angela and Melissa's parents committed suicide after the horrifying sight of a special Halloween card from Angela.

Angela uses her powers, and her demonized followers (Shirley, Z-boy, and Rick) to eliminate members of the rescue team (Father Bob and Perry). In the end, Sister Gloria, Johnny, and Bibi are the remaining survivors in the fight to save Melissa.

Sister Gloria goads Angela into trading places with Melissa on her death bed. Angela pushes Melissa to murder Sister Gloria with her sword (still one of my biggest pet peeves for 2, because they never explained the origins for the sword). If Melissa murders Sister Gloria, Angela will complete her mission to demonize Melissa with evil powers.  Melissa flashes a devilish smile, while an antsy Angela pushes Melissa to finish off Sister Gloria.

"NOW MOUSE!!!" That's one of Angela's final warnings to Melissa. Melissa's retaliation? "MY NAME IS MELISSA!!!" Melissa turns the tables on Angela with a hard stab to the gut, and Sister Gloria reduces Angela to a gooey puddle with some help from a super soaker (with holy water as the secret ingredient). Of course, Angela returns as a giant snake during sunrise.......and after her "demise," she returns as a snake inside a tube of lipstick to close out the movie.

Melissa Franklin is a memorable character in the Night Of The Demons franchise. Merle Kennedy provides a handful of laughs, and she's a front-runner for the best performance in the sequel. It's an impressive feat, when you consider a returning Amelia Kinkade in top form, as a darker and more confident version of Angela, and Jennifer Rhodes' hilarious parody performance as a strict nun.

Unfortunately, Melissa is a one and done deal for Night Of The Demons. It's a shame, because a storyline for a returning Melissa in Night Of The Demons 3 is loaded with potential. Imagine the possibilities. Melissa returns for a little sister vs big sister showdown at Hull House, and you can't rule out the possibility of Angela using her sword. But it's all in the past now, and we'll never know.....

If you're interested, you can follow this link to read my spoiler review for Night Of The Demons 2-

http://mitchmacready.blogspot.com/2012/11/night-of-demons-1994.html

Night Of The Demons (2009)

The Story

It’s 1925, and one night in New Orleans, Evangeline Broussard decides to hold a séance at her mansion. Evangeline is obsessed with Louis Devereaux, but Louis doesn’t love her. Evangeline will do anything to seduce Louis. Her love spells aren’t working, so Evangeline seeks the help of some seemingly kind spirits. But the spirits are actually evil demons, who are trying to possess living humans. The demons need the help of a spell to return to the living world. Evangeline is desperate and vulnerable, so the demons see an easy target. Promising to secure a relationship with Louis, the demons trick Evangeline into inviting Louis and five other friends to the mansion.

Evangeline follows their instructions, and once the séance begins, the demons attack the guests. In order to complete their return to the living world, the demons need to possess seven humans before sunrise. Terrified and confused, Evangeline tries to escape the possessed party guests. Standing on the upstairs balcony with a rope around her neck, Evangeline prepares to commit suicide. A demonized Louis professes his love for Evangeline, but she doesn’t buy into the lie. Determined to prevent the demon’s return to Earth, Evangeline jumps, and kills herself. Evangeline’s maid is the sole survivor. The maid locked herself in a room, while scribbling spells on the walls for protection.

Eighty-five years later, Angela Feld prepares to throw a Halloween party at The Broussard Family mansion. Angela needs the money and her friend, Diana collects the cash and she gives out hand stamps for admission. Suzanne has known Angela since high school. Maddie and Lily are friends of Suzanne. They join the party, but a few odd encounters with ex-boyfriends could change everything. Lily still has feelings for her ex-boyfriend, Dex. Dex’s friend, Jason doesn’t want to ruin anything, so he leaves Lily and Dex alone, and Jason befriends Maddie. A ruthless drug lord named Nigel gives Maddie’s ex-boyfriend/drug dealer, Colin a life-or-death ultimatum, so he must sell all of his merchandise to the party guests.

Angela’s party is a money-making success, but eventually, the police pull the plug. Failing to show the proper permit, the police shut down Angela’s party. Diana sees an easy opportunity during the confusion, and she decides to steal all the money. Fearing an arrest and Nigel’s wrath, Colin hides his drugs in the basement. After the cops and the majority of the party guests leave, Maddie, Lily, Jason, and Dex return to the mansion to find Suzanne, who appears out of nowhere after passing out from too much alcohol. With Angela’s help, Colin retrieves his drugs from the basement, but at the same time, Angela and Colin accidentally discover a secret room that contains a group of skeletons. Angela tries to remove a gold tooth from one of the skeletons, but the skeleton suddenly bites her finger. Maddie, Lily, Suzanne, Colin, Jason, and Dex try to leave, but the entrance gate mysteriously locks by itself. Unable to find another exit, the group returns to the mansion for drinks.

Meanwhile, Angela is slowly possessed by a demon, and once she realizes her powers, Angela possesses Dex during a game of spin the bottle. Dex takes advantage of Lily’s desires for a second chance, and he possesses her during an awkward moment. Plus, Angela mutilates and possesses an unsuspecting and drunk Suzanne. Maddie, Colin, and Jason will have to fight for survival until sunrise, as demonized versions of Angela, Lily, Suzanne, and Dex reek havoc throughout the mansion.

Character Rundown

Angela Feld (Shannon Elizabeth)- Angela is a wild party girl with an aggressive attitude. The hardcore punk rock look is a perfect fit for this character, and Elizabeth brings some sex appeal to Angela. Shannon Elizabeth is known for the Nadia character from the American Pie films (the REAL American Pie films, not the shitty straight-to-video releases), and she delivers a solid performance as Angela here.

Maddie (Monica Keena)- Remember Monica Keena? She played Lori in Freddy VS Jason, and Keena brings the same kick-ass attitude to the Maddie character. Maddie is down-to-earth, and she’s a fearless fighter, who refuses to give up. Keena delivers the best performance in this film, and the Maddie character has a few memorable moments.

Colin (Edward Furlong)- Nope, that’s not a typo, and you aren’t seeing things. Edward Furlong, the same man, who starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2, and the same guy, who delivered a very solid performance in American History X, has a part in this straight-to-video horror release. Colin is a miserable drug dealer, who can’t catch a break, and his constant setbacks continue to sink him into a deeper hole. He’s a screw-up, but Furlong’s performance is entertaining, and he provides a few laughs.

Suzanne (Bobbi Sue Luther)- Suzanne? She's just eye candy for the most part. She’s the ditzy and busty woman, who likes to drink, and that's about it

Lily (Diora Baird)- Lily has a bubbly personality, and she clings to the hopes of starting a new relationship with Dex. Baird’s performance is decent enough, but her character doesn’t have any dialogue as a demon. And if I’m not mistaken, a stunt double portrays the demonized version of Lily, so Baird doesn’t have a significant amount of screen time here.

Jason (John F. Beach)- He’s the goofiest character in this film. Jason provides the majority of laughs, and Beach is just hilarious.

Dex (Michael Copon)- Dex is just there. He doesn’t have a personality, and once Dex becomes a demon, Copon doesn’t have any spoken dialogue.

Diana (Tiffany Shepis)- Diana has an attitude, and Shepis brings some believable cockiness to this character. Diana only has a few scenes here, but Shepis is pretty solid during her short screen time.

Nigel (Jamie Harris)- Nigel has a dark sense of humor, and he’s a cold-hearted drug lord, who torments Colin. Harris only has two scenes here (one scene in the beginning, and the post-credits scene), but he provides a few laughs.

Evangeline Broussard (Tatyana Kanavka)- Kanavka’s character is important. Initially, Evangeline is the person, who releases the demons into the living world, but you’ll only see her during the intro and flashbacks.

Louis Devereaux (Michael Arata)- Another important character. But Louis only has a few scenes, and most of them are flashbacks of the same material. Also, Arata is one of the producers for this film.

Who's Behind The Camera?

Adam Gierasch brings a brutal and grotesque style for Night Of The Demons 2009. The gore is graphic, bloody, disgusting, and Gierasch provides a few jump scares. And it doesn’t last long, but Gierasch creates a vibrant party atmosphere to this film.

My Overall Thoughts

Adam Gierasch and Jace Anderson wrote the screenplay for this film. Night Of The Demons 2009 features a more thorough backstory, and you’ll get an in-depth explanation for the origins of the demons. The story is loaded with some good humor, and there’s a nice surprise at the end.

Great music gave the 1988 original an extra boost, and the remake features a solid soundtrack. 45 Grave provides the title track for this film. “Night Of The Demons” really complements the hardcore punk rock vibe, it’s catchy, and this song is a perfect fit for the Halloween theme in this film:

As the story progresses, Monica Keena, Edward Furlong, and John F. Beach develop some good chemistry, and they provide some hilarious moments together. Plus, after the first set of possessions, Keena, Furlong, and Beach really carry this film.

Night Of The Demons 2009 was a straight-to-video release. It was supposed to have a limited theatrical run, but Seven Arts International (the distributor) decided to go with a DVD/Blu-Ray release. And Entertainment One re-released the 2009 remake on DVD and Blu-Ray this September. Also, Kevin Tenney returns to lend a helping hand, as a producer.

Night Of The Demons 2009 is a bloody and gruesome horror comedy, that features some genuine gross-out moments. You’ll see a few jump scares here and there, and the cast is solid. Plus, Linnea Quigley has a brief cameo here. Still, Night Of The Demons 2009 is a solid remake. Night Of The Demons 2009 delivers plenty of gore, laughs, and the fight scenes are decent enough.

Oh, and Night Of The Demons 2009 features some of the funniest video commentary you’ll ever hear. Adam Gierasch, Jace Anderson, Monica Keena, Bobbi Sue Luther, and John F. Beach provide the commentary. It’s hilarious from beginning to end, and the video commentary is a great bonus attraction for the DVD or Blu-Ray.

Comparing & Contrasting The 1988 Original With The 2009 Remake

Well, I’ll get the most obvious changes out of the way first.

-Angela’s last name changes from Franklin to Feld

-In the original, the family maid is slaughtered with the Hull Family. But in the remake, Evangeline’s maid survives the demon attacks, and her spells protect the modern-day survivors.

-An underground stream prevents the demons from leaving Hull House in the original, but Broussard House isn’t surrounded by an underground stream, forcing the survivors to fight the demons.

-The survivors really don’t have a surefire defense against the demons in the original, but in the remake, rust becomes an effective weapon.

-There’s no abandoned funeral home here. Instead, Broussard Mansion is used as the main setting for this film.

-The story for the remake has more depth. In the original, they provide some information for Hull House’s history, but the details are very vague.

-The demons are more vicious and violent.

-The Halloween party in the 1988 remake starts out as a small and friendly get-together, but Angela’s Halloween party is a big-time event with more people.

-In the 1988 original, Angela is a weirdo and an outcast, but in the 2009 remake, Shannon Elizabeth’s Angela is promiscuous and flirty. She’s a party girl, who wants to have fun, and Angela 2009 has an attitude BEFORE her possession. Also, both Angelas have a completely different look.

Pics!

1988 Angela

2009 Angela

Judy is sweet and innocent, and she becomes a leader during the final moments of the original. So it’s easy to draw comparisons between Maddie and Judy, because Maddie emerges as the strongest character in the remake, but Maddie is tougher. She’s more rugged, and Maddie turns into a real bad-ass during the final showdown.

Pics!

Maddie

Judy

Keena brings more emotion and aggression to Maddie, but Podewell carries the original by herself most of the time.

Gierasch and Anderson deny any comparisons between 1988 Suzanne and 2009 Suzanne, but the similarities are so obvious. Bobbie Sue Luther’s bigger tits are the only main difference, and in the end, Luther’s Suzanne is just a modern-day version of Quigley’s Suzanne.

More Pics!

1988 Suzanne

2009 Suzanne

A pic of Quigley's 2009 cameo!

The performances in the remake are solid, but when it comes to acting, I have to give the edge to the 1988 original. Shannon Elizabeth’s Angela is darker and more violent, but Kinkade really nailed the outcast side of Angela, and Kinkade brings more humor to Angela’s demonized form.

Every member of the supporting cast from the original has characteristics of a hip 80’s teen (especially the dialogue), but the supporting cast from the original provides more entertaining performances. The supporting cast for the remake isn’t bad, but Baird and Luther can’t rise above the status of eye candy, and Michael Copon doesn’t help anything. And with the exception of Baird and Elizabeth, the post-possession forms of the main characters don’t receive any spoken dialogue, so everyone falls into the category of a “bloodthirsty killer.” They don’t have a real chance to standout.

Overall, the 1988 original is still the better film. It‘s a fun and campy 80‘s horror comedy, with disgusting gore and great music. The 2009 remake has a more serious tone. The violence is more brutal, and the gore is more graphic and bloody. It’s a respectable remake, and Night Of The Demons 2009 is better than most shitty straight-to-video horror releases.

Final Rating: 6/10