''The Irrefutable Truth about Demons'' is a New Zealand

horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit physical or psychological fear in its viewers. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with Transgressive art, transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements of the genre include Mo ...

released in 2000. It was directed by

Glenn Standring Glenn Standring is a New Zealand scriptwriter, producer and film director, working in the action, horror and fantasy genres. He is from Feilding in the North Island of New Zealand. He is descended from Glaswegians and Mancunians on the European si ...

and stars

Karl Urban Karl-Heinz Urban (born 7 June 1972) is a New Zealand actor. His career began with appearances in New Zealand films and television series such as '' Xena: Warrior Princess''. His first Hollywood role was in the 2002 horror film ''Ghost Ship''. ...

Katie Wolfe Katie Wolfe (born 1968) is an actor, film and stage director from New Zealand. She appeared in television series including '' Marlin Bay'' (1990s), ''Shortland Street'' (late 1990s), and ''Mercy Peak'' (2000 - 2001). Her screen directing work has ...

, and Jonathon Hendry. The film's UK DVD title is ''The Truth About Demons''.

Plot

Haughty anthropology professor Harry Ballard (Karl Urban) receives a sinister videotape showing a cult called the Black Lodge ranting about a demonic plot. As it turns out, Harry's brother, Richard, killed himself a few months earlier under mysterious circumstances, possibly related to this cult; in any event, the loss has been preying on Harry's mind, sending his relationship with his girlfriend (Sally Stockwell) into a tailspin. Meanwhile, a seemingly schizophrenic young woman named Benny (Katie Wolfe), who has a penchant for lighting sparklers in alleyways for no good reason, follows Harry around and snatches him from the jaws of doom after he falls into the cult's hands. The devilish leader, Le Valliant (Jonathan Hendry), apparently has big plans in store for Harry, and soon the protagonist's grip on reality slips as the cult targets him for an upcoming ritual.

Release

''The Irrefutable Truth about Demons'' released in 2000 and was screened at multiple film festivlas that included Cannes.

Critical reception

AllMovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, television series, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was ...

gave the film a positive review, calling it "a clever, gleefully ludicrous flick". ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' also reviewed the movie upon its release, stating that "While the generic plot doesn't bear close examination and the dialogue is not always Pulitzer material, writer-director Glenn Standring conjures a creepy, brooding atmosphere and enough thrills to keep young horror enthusiasts glued." Russell Baillie of ''

The New Zealand Herald ''The New Zealand Herald'' is a daily newspaper published in Auckland, New Zealand, owned by New Zealand Media and Entertainment, and considered a newspaper of record for New Zealand. It has the largest newspaper circulation in New Zealand, ...

'' was more critical, rating it two stars. Poonam Khanna of

Exclaim! ''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly ''Exclaim!'' print magazine publishes seven ...

was also critical, calling it "just plain bad" and criticizing the acting and writing. Ryan Larson reviewed the film for

Bloody Disgusting Bloody Disgusting is an American independent multi-media company, which began as a horror genre-focused news website specializing in information services that covered various horror media. The company expanded into other media including podcast ...

in 2020, noting that it was "so incredibly *millennium*" and that it was "a fun flashback into the era; every subordinate in the cult looks primed and ready to be dancing to Nine Inch Nails in an old goth club, and so many rooms are candle lit with writing on the walls you can’t help but smile."

References

External links

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MSN Movies Review
2000 films 2000 horror films New Zealand horror films 2000s English-language films English-language horror films {{2000s-horror-film-stub