3 Demons (2022)

When we first meet sheriff's deputy James Fisher, he seems to be struggling with something horrific that he witnessed. He's cold, haunted, and frightening, and it's clear that the event has left a lasting impression on him. Fisher recounts his ordeal to psychiatrist Dr. Sawyer hoping to find some relief or understanding.

Understandably, the protagonist of D.M. Cunningham's 3 Demons would act differently from you or me, considering what he goes through in the film.

The film focuses primarily on events that happened in the past, leading up to a criminal trial in which the protagonist is implicated. From the start, he will be held accountable for whatever happened.

Things are not looking suitable for Sheriff Winters' partner, Fisher. They responded to a call about a dead body at a cabin in the woods, and it seemed like the person was killed in the middle of some ritual. Winters is tasked with guarding the body until the family can come to collect it. Unfortunately, he quickly has to respond to another call, leaving Fisher alone with the corpse and stranding him without a vehicle.

He soon discovers strange books and scrolls inside the car that appear to have some magical powers. Then, he accidentally completes a ritual that unleashes a demonic force.

The protagonist is locked in a point of view that is unreliable, experiencing strange lapses in time, visions, and images of dead loved ones. Also, demonic entities seem to be controlling his mind and telling him to keep digging.

Although 3 Demons has a low budget, its technical elements are still impressive.

The cinematography and editing in 3 Demons are both effective in creating a feeling of unease and disorientation. The camera work is sharp and evocative, making the woods surrounding the cabin appear menacing. And the editing abruptly cuts from one location to another, which keeps us guessing what's going on.

The performances are excellent; Tell's in particular. He essentially has to carry the entire film and does a superb job of it, lending Fisher a strong sense of pathos.

3 Demons is a film with some promising elements, but its story ultimately disappoints. The film has some strong filmmaking skills on display, but the story doesn't live up to its potential.

The movie feels a bit derivative, with too many elements that feel overly familiar and aren't utilized in a novel way. Creepy cabin in the woods? We've seen that before. Check. Evidence of occult rituals? Check. A protagonist whose immense grief makes him a prime target for demonic influence? Check.

The premise of "3 Demons" is similar to that of the classic indie horror film "Evil Dead" - a group of people is trapped in a remote location with a deadly force lurking outside. However, it lacks the same sense of gonzo ingenuity.

While there's nothing inherently wrong with using familiar elements in horror stories, sometimes it can make the story feel less fresh.

The action in the movie is kicked off by a couple of staggering breaches of proper crime scene procedure. This strains credibility from the outset, as it's hard to believe that even an in-over-his-head deputy like Fisher would commit such irresponsible mistakes.

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to move the body and start rummaging through the deceased's car. Maybe they do things differently in small towns, but I'm pretty sure that's not how it's supposed to be done.

Every independent horror movie involves a lot of hard work from many people. For example, Cunningham, Tell, and others have many different roles in this movie. This shows how much love and effort goes into these films. I was excited about 3 Demons, but unfortunately, it didn't quite meet my expectations. The story had a lot of potential, but it fell short in execution.

The director and cast of the film did a great job with what they had to work with, but I would love to see what else they could do with a better script and more resources.