The Demon's Rook (2013)
- Justin Whippo
- Aug 3, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
My quick rating - 5.4/10. "If Evil Dead (or Ash vs. Evil Dead) had a weird Wiccan cousin" was all I needed to hear to spark my curiosity and dive into the fantastical world of .The Demon's Rook. This independent film is a fun, although not flawless, experience for those who enjoy some horror combined with elements of campy horror, dark fantasy, and overall supernatural fiction. The plot is centered on a young boy named Roscoe (played by James Sizemore, also the writer and director), who discovers a mysterious portal to another dimension. There, he finds an elder demon named Dimwos, who is his mentor as he teaches Roscoe more about magic. Over time, Roscoe discovers many secrets of this mystical dimension as he grows up. The best thing about this movie is the way it is not afraid of its low budget. The effect is such that it provides a similar atmosphere to horror films from the '80s. Additionally, there is incredible practical artistry regarding creature design. Practical effects are a dedication that gives the movie a quaint, old-school feel, which will appeal to fans of traditional horror films for sure. Even if the movie embraces this aspect, there are some other aspects that could be improved. However, it compensates for this by offering loads of fun in the B-budget category. It proudly boasts about being campy, offering a combination of gory as well as weird situations that fans of guilty pleasures will find enjoyable. These new ideas, like the weird creatures in this movie and the magical powers possessed by the characters, show the dedication of the creators to the genre. Even if this movie fails to attain the level of its inspirations, it succeeds in finding an interesting place for itself by offering an enjoyable experience despite its flaws. If you are in the mood for sipping some B-budget fun, this movie is worth a shot.














Agreed! Not too bad at all.