The Demon Detective (2025) Review
From award-winning writer-director T.C. De Wit (Star Trek: Legacies, Blade: Heart of Darkness) comes a new paranormal chiller set to arrive on UK digital 17 August, courtesy of Miracle Media. A supernatural sleuth must unearth the link between a demonic possession and his tortured past in new mystery occult horror starring Vivica A. Fox, Tom Virtue, Adrienne Barbeau and Doug Jones. The doors to hell are open, can The Demon Detective close them in time to save his soul?
The Demon Detective proves to be a frustratingly talkative affair, offering little that feels fresh or engaging within the well-worn exorcism subgenre. While it begins with some promise as it introduces its demon-hunting duo, any early goodwill soon evaporates beneath an almost relentless barrage of dialogue that simply reiterates points already made.
Rather than building suspense or allowing the supernatural elements to take centre stage, the film becomes mired in lengthy conversations. At times, it felt less like watching a horror film about demonic possession and more like eavesdropping on two strangers chatting at the next table. The constant exposition robs the narrative of momentum, leaving precious little to hold the viewer’s attention.
This is particularly disappointing because, from a technical standpoint, the production is surprisingly accomplished for a low-budget feature. The cinematography is polished, the editing is sharp, and the musical score is more impressive than is often found at this end of the independent horror spectrum. Unfortunately, these strengths are undermined by a screenplay that mistakes endless conversation for meaningful character development.
With very few memorable incidents or genuinely unsettling moments to sustain interest, The Demon Detective never capitalises on its solid production values. Despite competent filmmaking behind the camera, the lifeless, repetitive dialogue ensures the film remains far more mundane than its supernatural premise promises.
The Demon Detective is on UK digital 17 August from Miracle Media