Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Sorry About the Demon’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Sorry About the Demon’.
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We are taught from a very early age, that if we want to be happy and at peace in this life, we need to follow a fairly specific path. One that ensures that we are educated when we head out to tackle the world, so that we have a good head on our shoulders. One that will help us seek out the job of our dreams. Because that will give us purpose and fulfillment and once, we’ve done that, we need to find a life partner. Someone that compliments us and brings us joy and we need to marry them and have a family and once that’s all done, we will find the happiness and peace our parents told us about and well… there’s a lot of merit to that process. Because so much of that, does bring people happiness and calm and a life that is filled with satisfaction through and through. 
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But the only problem with that criterion for true happiness, is that there is one other fundamental lesson/process that comes into play to fully achieve it. One we tend to learn as we traverse our path. In that, there are hard times along the way, the kind that leave lingering trauma and ‘demons’ in the recesses of our souls. And without taking the time to resolve that trauma and those skeletons in the closet of our mind, there will be no happiness or peace, just worry and strife and that may prevent us from obtaining what we want. If anything, it’s shocking we don’t receive that lesson growing up, but that doesn’t mean we cannot find help, sometimes in the form of a horror story believe it or not, and for proof… then look no further than the brand-new Shudder feature, Sorry About the Demon.

Now in this particular tale we are introduced to a man named Will who believes he is in quite the wondrous place. After all, he has a steady gig as a work-at-home customer service associate for a cruddy toothpaste company, and he has a loving partner named Amy. Plus, he has hobbies galore, such as cooking and woodworking. But sadly, that’s not enough for Amy, in fact… one night she decides they need to split up. Simply because, Will in reality… has no direction in life and won’t deal with the important stuff and even this breakup, is something he would rather just step away from and hope for the best regarding a future with Amy, instead of working on what needs to be fixed. And his time away from her, leads him to a posh new rental nearby that is in fact a massive house. One where perhaps he can best figure out how to win Amy back. That is… after he deals with the hideous demon that lurks within the house’s walls, the kind that is looking for a fresh soul to inhabit.

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Which is a plot that seems grounded in quirky comedy and romance with a horror twist over the lesson we just discussed and well, you would be partly right. Because this is at heart, a quirky comedy/romance with a horror twist. Which is designed to give the story a sense of fun, so the deeper stuff is never quite overwhelming and all of that works like a charm here. Since it helps to add depth and dimension to the characters, and it provides Will with some high stakes to deal with when the demon decides that his friends and the love, he pines for, would be suitable hosts. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that going this route from a foundational storytelling standpoint, allows for this film to also satirize the haunted house subgenre and the many tropes that are present within it. But once you get past the delightful gags and hilarious moments that come with everyone just accepting that this house has a demon in the same manner that one would accept the appliances a house comes with… the deeper stuff comes into play. 
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Because in reality, Will is a guy that is carrying a lot of baggage of the emotional variety. Since he clearly struggles to connect with people, struggles to go for what he wants, for reasons that aren’t made clear, but we don’t need that backstory. Because we’ve all been Will at some point or another, where someone, something, or some incredible moment, shattered us and left us aloof and drifting. To the point where we settle rather than chase what will truly make us happy. Which allows for the moments where Will does stand up to the demon and fights for his love, to teach us how exactly we confront our past and our demons. So that Will and others, can finally move beyond those moments and that pain, and embrace what life has to offer in the now, and finally… find the fulfillment and peace and happiness people crave, and that is… a magnificent lesson to find in a horror comedy.  

Because horror comedies rarely go deep on life lessons and the struggles we face, they just prefer to lampoon a subgenre or other popular story in horror. Which makes this a refreshing and meaningful horror comedy, one that truly takes us on an emotional journey. Since you will indeed laugh, mist up and feel the hair on the back of your neck raise in terror, and that is a testament to writer/director Emily Hagins. Who clearly poured her heart and soul into a story that any horror fan or non-horror fan can easily enjoy. Not to mention, it features some wonderfully believable and honest performances from Jon Michael Simpson (Will) and Paige Evans (Amy). Which only lends to the wonder of a must-see horror comedy, one that has something for everyone and leaves you with plenty to ponder upon when the scares and laughs come to an end. 

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