It’s been a somewhat tough decade for writer-director Neill Blomkamp. Since his box-office hit feature debut “District 9” garnered four Oscar nominations in 2009, the South African-Canadian sci-fi auteur has released two major films to diminishing critical and commercial returns: 2013’s “Elysium” (a mega-budgeted misfire by the director’s own admission) and 2015’s “Chappie” (which flopped despite a stellar cast and lighter tone). Perhaps even more significant are the films Blompkamp ended up not making: he’s been hired and fired from shelved sequels to both “Alien” and “RoboCop,” two of the most beloved franchises in modern movies. If either of those projects came together, his cultural footprint might more closely resemble a Ridley Scott or James Cameron. However, notwithstanding a devoted cult following, Blomkamp’s career hasn’t quite delivered on the promise of his early success.
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That may begin to change with “Demonic,” a new supernatural horror thriller filmed secretly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in summer 2020. Blomkamp’s latest looks to be pitched somewhere between Blumhouse-style grunge horror and Cronenbergian science fiction from the trailer. The visual approach features Blomkamp’s signature blend of CGI and practical effects (this time with an intriguing rotoscope-like animation technique he hasn’t used before). Still, the whole package feels much darker and less whimsical than the director’s previous efforts. It’s also the first Blomkamp film with a female protagonist (Carly Pope). The plot, according to IMDB, is centered around “a young woman who unleashes terrifying demons when supernatural forces at the root of a decades-old rift between mother and daughter are ruthlessly revealed.” Other cast members include Chris William Martin, Nathalie Bolt, and Michael Rogers.
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Who knows how much, if any, of this came from ideas leftover from Blomkamp’s canceled “Alien” sequel, but the indicators are strong: heroine facing off against scary monsters? Check. A sinister corporation with possible ties to an ancient order? Check. Body horror imagery as disgusting as it is symbolic? You got it. “Demonic” is set to be released in theaters on August 20 and VOD on August 27.