The Demon Disorder is a 2024 Australian supernatural horror film directed by Steven Boyle and written by Toby Osborne and Steven Boyle. The film stars Christian Willis, Charles Cottier, John Noble, and Amy Ingram. It explores themes of possession, psychological terror, and the battle between good and evil. The film was released in theaters on 6 September 2024.

Plot

Graham Reilly (Christian Willis), a man who has retreated from life, lives in isolation in his garage workshop, having withdrawn from the world following the death of his father and his estrangement from his two brothers, Jake Reilly (Dirk Hunter) Phillip Reilly, (Charles Cottier) Haunted by his troubled past, Graham has come to accept this reclusive existence. One day, his brother Jake unexpectedly reaches out with disturbing news. During an unannounced visit, Jake reveals that he believes their younger brother, Phillip, is possessed by the spirit of their deceased father, George. With the three brothers reunited, they are soon confronted by dark secrets from their past. As the haunting presence of their father seeks revenge, the brothers are forced to face the terrifying truth that George's (John Noble) death may not have been natural, it may have been at their hands. they find a way to defeat a vengeful entity that knows them intimately and is fueled by rage. The story culminates in Graham's dimly lit, cluttered garage workshop, where the brothers are forced into a final confrontation with their father’s evil spirit. Long-hidden secrets are revealed on this night of restless spirits, and the brothers confront the consequences of their actions.

Cast

Christian Willis as Graham Reilly Charles Cottier as Phillip Reilly Dirk Hunter as Jake Reilly John Noble as George Reilly Amy Ingram as Officer Peters Michael Tuahine as Officer Terry Liam Wallace as Young Graham Tobie Webster as Cole Nichols

Production

= Development

= In March 2023, it was announced that Steven Boyle had begun filming his new movie under the banner of Boyle’s Formation, with Charles Cottier Playing Phillip Reilly, Dirk Hunter Playing Jake Reilly, and Christian Willis playing Graham Reilly. The primary filming took place in the rural community of Gleneagle, west of the Gold Coast, throughout April 2023. The Demon Disorder was filmed in Queensland, Australia, providing a desolate and haunting backdrop to the psychological tension of the film. Directed by Steven Boyle, who is known for her work in independent horror and Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Producing alongside Boyle is Kyle Lema. Executive Producers are Ally Muller, Michael, and Peter Spierig. the movie marks his first major feature film project. The script, written by Toby Osborne in collaboration with Steven Boyle, On the topic of creating the film, Steven Boyle quoted saying: It combines elements of early David Cronenberg and body horror crafted through elaborate visual effects sequences. Audiences can expect something fresh. It’s disturbing, it’s humorous, and I promise it will have people talking about what they’ve just witnessed long after it finishes.

= Filming and visual effects

= The film's production emphasizes practical effects and atmosphere over CGI, contributing to its eerie, immersive feel. The cinematography, led by Terry King, captures the harsh yet beautiful Australian landscape, which serves as a metaphor for Amanda Grillini's production designer aspect. it was announced that Umbrella Entertainment would also distribute the film in Australia.

Release

It was announced that Shudder and AMC Networks had purchased the rights to Steven Boyle's movie on September 6, 2024. Samuel Zimmerman, Head of Programming for Shudder stated:“After years of creating a range of elaborate visual experiences through his work as a special effects designer on iconic films, we’re thrilled to give Steven Boyle a platform for his feature-length directorial debut with The Demon Disorder”. The Demon Disorder was slated for a theatrical release in Australia in mid-2024, with international distribution expected to follow. The film generated buzz before its release due to its psychological depth and atmospheric horror elements. The film was released on 6 September 2024.

Reception

= Box office

= The Demon Disorder grossed over $1,345. The film debuted at number one during its opening weekend in Australia, securing the top spot at the box office.

= Critical response

= On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 10% of 50 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.8/10. Culture Crypt wrote that For his first feature, Boyle does precisely what new directors on restricted budgets are usually supposed to do. Cynics might wrongly call the film "cheap" when what Boyle accomplishes is to keep his movie manageable. The synopsis might lead someone to mistake "The Demon Disorder" for yet another routine possession thriller, but the film only echoes common exorcism tropes when looked at reductively. With content constructed around a metaphor for dealing with figurative family demons, the movie doesn't tread into the typical territory of priests spraying holy water or black-eyed victims barfing up pea soup and religious obscenities in equal measure. The film also got a score of 60 out of 100. Abbie Bernstein of Assignmentx praised The Demon Disorder, writing, "While there have been several other films using possession as a metaphor for more conventional deterioration, the mood and methods of The Demon Disorder make it unique and affecting enough to be worthy of attention." The film approaches demonic possession as if it were a hereditary physical disease, blending Cronenbergian body horror with a family drama that incorporates both tragic and darkly humorous elements. Bernstein also commended director Steve Boyle, who co-wrote the script with Toby Osborne, for maintaining a sense of reality amidst the film's surreal moments. She noted that the sets reflect the decay of environments neglected by people unable to care for them, which mirrors the characters’ internal struggles. The brothers’ experiences and beliefs shape how they cope with their circumstances, and the palpable weight of their guilt creates a tense atmosphere throughout the film. Louisa Moore of Screen Zealots wrote that while The Demon Disorder has a strong setup and effective allegorical undertones, the film falters in its narrative. She noted that the story doesn't bring much new to the table, revolving around the brothers confronting a demonic force representing their father’s anger and alcoholism—a plot that feels overly familiar. Moore described The Demon Disorder as a mixed bag, praising the film’s excellent performances, strong production values, and evocative sense of place, but ultimately feeling that the story falls short of fully realizing its potential. Karina Adelgaar of Heaven Of Horror wrote "While the practical effects seen in The Demon Disorder easily make the biggest impact, it all comes together and works as well as it does thanks to the cast. This is a perfectly cast horror movie and the combination of story, effects, and cast is brilliant". It all comes together perfectly from John Noble as the father to brothers portrayed by Charles Cottier, Christian Willis, and Dirk Hunter Even the smaller supporting roles are cast wonderfully with Tobie Webster as the mechanic Cole and Amy Ingram as a police officer.

References

External links

The Demon Disorder at IMDb