User reviews

I think the producers must have got their friends to write five star reviews - or I was watching a totally different movie!

Anyway, this isn't too bad for a low-budget amateur production, but the same old 101 mistakes are rife throughout. It is not as though guidance for up-and-coming film makers is hard to find - it is everywhere.

First - SOUND! Again and again and again so many films like this fall down when it comes to reasonable quality sound. At times it is near impossible to hear dialogue, and at other times the sound jumps incomprehensibly between cuts or the levels are not taken care of properly in post. If the boom doesn't do the job then use radio mics for goodness sake. In some scenes the boom operator does a good job, then in the next it is totally awful.

Second - acting. Most of the acting was OK for an amateur production, but it was clear to see the difference between more seasoned actors - especially in the delivery of dialogue. Sometimes it seemed as though direction was seriously lacking and less experience actors were left to their own devices - which they tried to do as best a job of as they could.

Third - lighting and colour grading. Another very mixed bag. Sometimes the scenes were really well lit and graded and at other times it was damn awful. There didn't seem to be any consistency in approach or quality. There just isn't any excuse for this with the tools available now.

Lastly, editing and story. It wasn't a bad story, but was perhaps a little too ambitious for a low-budget/amateur production. I can see what was trying to be achieved, but the lack of attention to detail just didn't pull it off. Perhaps it would have been much better if the more demanding scenes (that required effects and fights) were simplified and placed in a more real-world context.

Not a bad film, but could have been better in very basic ways through attention to detail, even with the constraints of time and budget.

I couldn't get past 35 minutes, which was almost torture. I almost stopped at b20 minutes in, but I was looking at my main screen.

Luckily, I have multiple screens (a 40", 50" & 2 smaller), which is great when playing movies, news & other. So, when I watch movies, much of my attention is drawn to my main screen.

Vampires & such are not a big draw for me, but I occasionally watch. This was just too boring. Although, as I'm typing, @43 minutes in, its picking up.

You know this is going to be a shoddy movie within the first two minutes ... and it doesn't get any better as the movie goes along. When will the low-budget writers learn ... start with a good script! I have given 3's and more to low budget films if they actually took creating script seriously. Using poor cliches and even poorer scene setups is no way to make a movie. No amount of good acting (and there wasn't much here anyway) can make up for the audience wanting to run away.

But I have to also say, its funny that the reviewers with the higher ratings of this film even admit to its issues ... but they still give it high marks?? WHAT??? If it is a bad experience for the audience then it is a bad experience for the audience. I will give kudos where due, but the rating is for the experience, not because you liked one or two attributes.

I'm not sure where the two previous bad reviews are coming from.

This film has won 10 international awards and even Lloyd Kaufman himself loved it so it gets my vote anyway!

In a nutshell, although not to demean from the main story itself this is basically "What is Buffy The Demon Slayer happened in Ireland?"

Personally I think it's a fantastic take on everything. The acting (save from one of the primary cast members IMHO) is excellent, the story is nice and well rounded and I'm not sure why the other previous reviews are talking about the VFX because they look good to me.

Are they 10 Million Dollar horror scifi budget level? Well of course not... this film is an indie flick so what more do you expect?

I think for what it is, the market it's going for and the actual story itself the film achieves exactly what it set out to do!

Personally I can't wait to see the sequel. :-)

Ohh... and that's coming from someone who isn't usually a fan of horror movies either.

I see a lot of 0 star reviews which is kind of harsh, i mean its not citizen kane its an action movie about a sexy girl fighting demons and monsters. and on that front it delivers. overall its got a good atmosphere and the characters build pretty well. I personally found the fight scenes to be fun and the demon effects to be pretty good. overall I think its a worthwhile debut from a promising young director and worth giving a shot if you need that Buffy itch scratched.

I found it very enjoyable movie to watch, I liked the way it was shot, and enjoyed the story line. Not a bad production overall considering that it wasn't a huge Hollywood Studio multi million dollar production. I for one am looking forward to the sequel, at least I hope there is a second one.

wow, well done to the makers of this - IMPRESSED! It's really good solid movie with awesome stunts, fist pumping score, cool special effects (as well as some good old school prosthetic's too!) That's a winning combination for me!! Add to all that really strong & solid action throughout and a great female lead who can really act too and kick ass as well as a great villain and like what more can you ask for from this kind of film?? It totally delivers no question. Really liked, would recommend definitely.

While searching for films for my Genre filmfest, this little gem was submitted to me and I was so glad. A really well made indie Horror Action Feature made on a very small budget over some course of time. A likable main character, a professional look, well done action scenes and a well layed out plot characterize this movie. It came 2nd place in the audience vote as well, can't wait for the sequel.

Excellent Irish film by Zoe Kavanagh,. Fantastic execution of a great script, looks like it had a much bigger budget than it actually did. Beautiful cinematography. Feels like the camera is within the scene, rather than just observing it, what increases the tension while watching. Quality of practical effects and set design really enrich the scenes. Very good acting from Niamh Hogan and Michael Parle. Editing-splendid! Sound design-fantastic, including the original scores. It's a cherry on top of a cake for the lovers of the real mystery thriller genre. I hope more films like this will be made in Ireland.

I'm a this was a really enjoyable movie, love the story line and the great stunts and special effects.. Director Zoe Kavanagh did an awesome job!!! And Actress Niamh Hogan was exceptionally brilliant .... The location for filming (ireland) was a great touch to...I think MR-Katt is very harsh on his review, maybe it's a personal thing!!!

Zoe Kavanagh's 'Demon Hunter' played to a packed audience in Dundrum in Dublin recently in a one off special screening, earning it a well deserved rapturous applause 90 minutes later. Knowing the time & effort Zoe put into making this Jewel in her Crown of achievements so early in her career, I can only say I was blown away with what I saw. Heaven knows what she would do with a big budget at her disposal. As it is on limited release & picking up awards across the globe, I made sure I ordered it on pre-release from Amazon. When it arrived I watched it again & still loved it. This may look like one of the biased reviews that litter IMDb with the suspicious markings, but the production, direction, sound fx, soundtrack, visuals & excellent performances from Niamh Hogan & Michael Parle (especially one on one) compels me to give high marks. Watch it & remember it's a 70k budget then make your own minds up. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Bigger budgets & better things are ahead for Zoe but who will obviously attract jealous 'types' voting this down without even seeing it which is sad. Keep 'em coming Zoe. Everyone is so proud of you.

There was a lot of buzz about this feature for many years & boy does it live up to it's deserved hype! Zoe truly delivers an emotional, action packed film, involving evil demons, gun battles & a kick-ass heroine. As Director & Co-Writer, Zoe shows she is a serious force to be reckoned with! The story concerns Taryn Barker, played most confidently by Niamh Hogan, & her journey from ordinary school girl to being trained to take on powerful evil forces after her sister Annabelle, played by Aisli Moran (Spider's Trap) goes missing. Along the way, she encounters the mysterious Falstaff, played wonderfully sinister by Michael Parle, as well as a group of Hunters. There are many quirky, strange & memorable characters throughout that add a sense of realism. Also, involved in her quest, is Detective Beckett, played by Alan Talbot. There is never a dull moment as the story &, at times, fast paced editing, keeps it nicely flowing. The many fight scenes are well choreographed & there are some funny one-liners. The cinematography & production design (Luca Rocchini & Lilla Nurie respectively) are simply out-standing as this was entirely filmed in Ireland. The pulsating score by Scott Tobin & soundtrack (feat. Voxillary) is well balanced with emotional songs for poignant scenes. Zoe Kavanagh comes from a music video background for My Birthday Massacre, Clan of Xymox, etc. & this feature is very much influenced & styled as such. It was won many international awards & will most definitely be a cult-classic. All in all, this remarkable & enjoyable film is not to be missed! I feel it certainly deserves a sequel as I personally want to enjoy more tales from the world of Taryn Barker Demon Hunter!

An enthralling story, driven by an incredible heroine. From the cinematography, lighting, music, and just the atmosphere, this carries a confidence few movies have.

Well shot action pieces are here, but for me it's the central character Taryn Barker, played incredibly by Niamh Hogan, that drives the movie. You won't be disappointed by what you watch, and can easily place Taryn as one of the new badass heroines of the 21st century.

Extra credit must go to Zoe Kavanagh for the direction of the project, and the clear passion she put into every aspect of this film.

A benchmark of Irish independent film making.