Demise

An absolute disaster from start to finish. This movie is a walking cliché, stuffed with every overused plot twist you could possibly imagine - and somehow still manages to be painfully predictable. The acting? If wooden planks could talk, they would have delivered more emotion. Every scene feels like a bad parody of a better film, and the dialogue is so flat it could put a cup of coffee to sleep. Watching this was not just a waste of time; it was a direct assault on my patience and common sense. I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy. If you value your time, run in the opposite direction.

What I loved most about this film was how it evoked memories of one of my all-time favorites, "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle." Writer and director Yara Estrada Lowe masterfully blends elements of suspense and psychological intrigue, crafting a modern-day, more seductive thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. With its captivating storyline and intense performances, this movie promises an unforgettable cinematic experience that's perfect for a thrilling night in with your significant other. Even better, the movie grows on you with each viewing, revealing new layers and nuances that make it even more compelling the second or third time around.

Film, movies, cinema, Hollywood, the dream factory. The whole business has come to a pretty pass when B-movie dross like DEMISE can get itself reviewed in a national newspaper. Disney's atrocious Snow White reboot having failed so spectacularly a Jason Statham actioner outlasted it at the box office, and with Mine Craft being excoriated as we speak, is it any wonder any thing, any little thing that seems remotely related to people and their problems can get industry attention. Even amateurish junk like this.

DEMISE begins with the sound of sexy time, lady's heels scattered on the carpet, man's shoes sat neatly side-by-side. We then see the lady riding high with her undies still on. Admittedly we are talking classy lingerie, but still, one senses we're in Hollywood prudish infantilisation territory. Subsequent clinches don't become any more explicit, nor realistic.

The opening titles wouldn't look wholly out of place on a James Bond movie, if Bond was no longer a spy and merely a gigolo. (Who knows, maybe that's where the franchise will go in the future. Double-Oh Demise, perhaps?) Later we get generic Spanish guitar during one quickie (17 secs, in real time), and generic videogame music, Super Mario maybe, around the 45 minute mark. The music, like the editing, like the dialogue, is a muddle. And what dialogue!

• Wow. Tonight was such fun. I think we needed that.

• I had SO MUCH fun.

Who talks like that with their wife, after dinner and nookie? Do people have 'date nights' when they're still childless? From the first words one senses that Demise is not predicated on life experiences but on genre recognition. The dialogue sounds like it could have been written by, you guessed it, AI.

• Fiona! Look, I know you think you're getting the short end of the stick here.

• You're right. I AM getting the short end of the stick.

(The short end of the stick?) Demise has been compared in the press to 1990s era skin flicks, bonkbusters, T&A movies, only now we have to cope with computer-generated dialogue and what could be intimacy-coordinator-coordinated sex scenes. Even movies like Animal Instincts had better dialogue than Demise.

• Well don't worry, I didn't f*** him in my new dress.

• You BETTER not have.

• I took it off first.

• OOh! I probably deserved that.

(Was that meant to be a witty scolding?) You get the point. I'll have to presume the writer/director is a breather and not a bot, and let's face it, plenty of Hollywood 'content' is based not upon observation of lived experience but rather upon genre pictures, brand recognition. Just as AI works by recycling what's already out there, so can real life human beings, possessing more ambition than talent.

DEMISE deserves to be studied in film schools. Much can be learned from such fare.

Prepare yourself for two hours of non-stop drama and suspense! This modern noir thriller has a plot twist around every corner. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. The film's gripping narrative will leave you thinking about it long after the credits roll. The cinematography is stunning, creating a visually captivating experience. Liz Fenning delivers an incredible performance, bringing depth and intensity to her character. Writer/Director Lowe clearly has a flair for the dramatic, showcasing her talent in every scene. I can't wait to see what she comes up with for her next project!

Great film! Sexy, hilarious, twisted, and jaw dropping. I loved how the characters were believable, realistic, and even relatable Angelenos vs. Botoxed-out and expressionless. More of the European style in that regard. Fun to see all the cameos. I've recommended it to several friends. I don't watch a while lot of TV and most of the films watch are historical epics or documentaries. Or what my kids are watching. I truly enjoyed watching Demise.

Looking forward to finding out how Celine's character develops and what transpires between the new character. Would love to see Caleb show a little more Latino cultural values that are typical in these types of men in LA.