Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever’

5/20/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Fanny Leander Bornedal and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Emma and Martin in Ole Bornedal’s NIGHTWATCH: DEMONS ARE FOREVER. (Photo Courtesy of Christian Greisnæs. A Shudder Release.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever’.

It really is quite amazing how hyper intelligent and emotional the horror genre has become. Granted, it’s always been brilliant, since this is the same genre that pondered upon our odd puritan-esque relationship with sexuality via the slasher’s films of the 1980s, alongside offering up amazing commentary on our obsessions with things via George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. But over the last decade or so, the genre really has taken quite the turn and leaned into far more powerful concepts and explorations. Giving rise to stories that pluck upon different emotional strings and fears and the genre is better for it. Because it is allowing for something special to take place.

For instance, anyone that enjoyed the masterpiece that is Doctor Sleep, was able to ponder deeply upon the nature of generational trauma and the power of substance abuse and how that too is generational in nature. Allowing for anyone that perhaps didn’t resolve such matters, to have their wake-up call and perhaps go and speak to someone about such matters after seeing Danny Torrance suffer through the unresolved. Giving rise to a story that influenced actual impact on such matters, something horror has wanted to do for ages upon end and truly, it is showing no signs of slowing down on such matters. For Shudder is now home to a powerhouse horror sequel that digs into more new territory regarding the traumas we carry in Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever.

A feat that this film accomplishes, by taking us thirty years after the events of the original Nightwatch feature. Wherein we come to learn that while Martin started a family with his beloved Kalinka after the monster was locked away… the years were not kind to them. In large part because Kalinka opted to take her own life over the nightmare of being hunted in that manner, and Martin… is forever locked in the pain of that loss and of that night as well. Which means that Emma, their daughter, is in a tough place. For she wants desperately to start her own tomorrow and forge her own path… but knows that will devastate her father. Which prompts her to make a stunningly bold move. In that, she decides to visit the monster that tormented her family, to put an end to dad’s worries once and for all. But there is one problem with this decision. In that, it has awakened the monster and people that support him and now… he and his cohorts will stop at nothing, to finish the job started thirty years ago.

Which is the perfect way to explore… how generational trauma is something we sometimes accept into our own lives, willingly no less. Because now and again, we will see parents, guardians, and people we love suffer greatly from the pain they carry, and in doing so… we adopt it… cherish it and own it. All out of the belief that our innocence and perspective on such matters can help heal them, when in fact… this creates more harm than good. For it brings us down, it makes us enablers and in turn, brings about fresh life to an old pain that needs to die. Which means that this film is more about how, we cannot accept our parent’s pain. We can acknowledge it, we can help them find a path to resolution, but we can never own it, or we will suffer some devastating emotional consequences.

That makes, for a smart feature for certain, one that features some delightful horror elements as well. Because the return of the monster is a real treat here and adds unique depth to the story, as does who is cohorts are. Since that also in many ways, bookends the central theme and shows how far we can sink if we accept the sins of our father as our own. But that aside, it also leads to some amazingly spooky moments. The kind that are downright gothic and chilling in nature, and that brings about some stunning jump scares, some equally as stunning twists and above all… some shocking kills. Because the monster makes sure his work lives on here, and that leads to sequences that leave us uncomfortable. In part because we know what suffering is about to arrive.

All of which brings together a very satisfying sequel to a classic horror story. One that also works well if by chance you haven’t seen the original, since the blanks are filled in smoothly here. But for those who are here to see what thirty years did to Martin, you are treated to a complete second chapter. One that is intelligent, spooky and downright engaging through and through. Courtesy of powerful moments and reflective commentary that gives one plenty to ponder upon, and hopefully allows for those who might want to be free of their parent’s burdens… to take action. So that they don’t find themselves in a similar quagmire here. Where suffering is the order of the day and where the past finds ways to transcend the years and brings about more harm to a new generation.

Watch ‘Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever’

0 Comments