Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Dementer’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, 'Dementer'.
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It is definitely safe to say, that stories that revolve around the long road back from severe trauma are extremely appealing to audiences. Simply because, they are downright inspirational. For they always feature a shattered individual that has outright had enough when it comes to what they are going through and that motivates them to stand tall and face their pain and resolve it and well, that definitely sends a viewer’s spirits soaring. Since it tends to remind the audience of an age-old and important fact. In that, when we put our minds to something… we can truly accomplish anything, and that message and the wonderful feels it sends our way, really does stay with us for quite some time after the story has come to a close.
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But while it is wonderful to leave these films feeling good, there is sadly, an inherent oversight when it comes to this particular type of tale. In that, they rarely show us the flip side of trauma. Because sadly, not everyone gets that happy ending, where they conquer their past in a dynamic and uplifting manner. No instead, some people that deal with this don’t have a support network surrounding them to help them out of the quagmire. Nor do they have any resources to help them get their mind right, and that allows for some folks to simply fall between the cracks and be consumed by their pain. And that bleak reality, explains why we don't often see moves that feature that aspect of trauma, since that would be tough to sit through. But there are some stories out there that take the time to examine this unfortunate reality, such as the recently released horror film, Dementer.

Now in this particular motion picture, we are introduced to a woman named Katie who has quite the sorted and painful past. For she managed to flee a horrific and abusive cult and now that she is free of that particular nightmare, she’s hoping to reform her life and do some good in the world. Which motivates her to take a job at a facility that cares for special needs individuals and for a brief time, it seems as though she is finally on her way to enjoying a better and fulfilling life. But eventually, flashbacks of the horrors she endured in the cult’s ‘care’, alongside an odd illness infecting her favorite patient, sends terror down Katie’s spine. For it would seem the evil that she worked so hard to escape has come to claim an innocent soul, and that means that she will have to go to incredible lengths to protect her new friend from a horrific and terrifying fate.

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Which is a pretty by the numbers plot to say the least, one that doesn’t appear to offer up any darker examination revolving around trauma. In fact… at first glance it appears as though Katie is in essence, standing up to it by taking the time to protect others. But that simply lends to the wonder of this particular horror film, because this allows for the viewer to be lulled into a false sense of security. One that is quickly ripped away, the instant that Katie’s trauma begins to bubble to the surface. Because just like that, the audience is now immersed in a tragedy, one where Katie refuses to believe that anyone or anything can help her with her problems outside of her baseline survival skills and a strange book of spells, and that makes for a harrowing viewing experience. One that forces the viewer to helplessly watch as Katie slides into a powerful downward spiral. 
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Yet while that alone would have made for a horrific story on its own since we are used to seeing the opposite, the horror elements in this story only make her harrowing journey all the more uncomfortable. Since Katie goes to some stunning lengths to protect dear Stephanie and that leads to some supremely disturbing scenes. The kind that will genuinely make you look away from the screen, thanks to the sheer ugliness they bring to the table and what’s truly impressive about this film, is that the horror doesn’t end there. For all of these elements lead to an outright shocking ending, one that only sinks the viewer further into the darkness present in this plot and one that we absolutely won't spoil here, because of how stunning it truly is. But rest assured it is so dark and so powerful, that you will need a few minutes of silence to process the ugliness of everything you've just seen.

Which makes this particular horror film a brilliant and visceral experience when all is said and done. Simply because it offers up such a raw presentation of the dark side of trauma and of an evil that our main character does not understand in the slightest. Plus, we would be remiss to not point out that this movie does a wonderful job with representation, since people with disabilities are presented here in an honest light and it also features some fine performances as well, since Katie Groshong (Katie) is electric on the screen, and her vulnerable and earnest portrayal of a emotionally broken woman only helps to draw you into this waking and incredible nightmare. One that grabs hold tight of you and never lets go and well, if you're looking for a unique and dynamic horror film to enjoy, then please give this one a look. Because this one, really is something quite special, thanks to its no-holds barred approach to the scares, and its outright original plot. 

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