Night of the Demon (1957) – Review

If you want a long and healthy life, it’s best not to announce that you are going to publicly expose a Satanic Cult. That’s just common sense. Needless to say, this is exactly what Dana Andrews attempts to do in Jacques Tourneur’s classic British Horror film Night of the Demon, and things go about as expected.

Released in 1957 in the United States as Curse of the Demon, this film is a masterclass in psychological horror, blending suspense, atmospheric storytelling, and a dash of supernatural terror. Based on M.R. James’ story “Casting the Runes”, this 1957 gem takes a decidedly intellectual approach to its tale of witchcraft and curses while still delivering moments of spine-tingling dread. In Night of the Demon, skepticism collides with the supernatural in a chilling tale of curses, cults, and demonic terror. The story begins with Professor Henry Harrington (Maurice Denham), who had been investigating the activities of Julian Karswell (Niall MacGinnis), a charismatic and sinister occultist. Harrington, desperate to escape a curse he believes Karswell placed on him, pleads with the cult leader for mercy. Karswell coldly denies his request, and shortly afterwards, Harrington dies in a violent and inexplicable accident when a demonic entity pursues him in the woods. His death raises questions about the occult’s true power and the extent of Karswell’s influence.

Does this look like self-induced hysteria?

Enter Dr. John Holden (Dana Andrews), a rational American psychologist visiting England to attend a conference where he plans to expose Karswell as a fraud. Holden confronts Karswell, who chillingly informs him that he has been cursed to die within three days. Karswell secretly passes Holden a parchment marked with runes, a key component of the curse. Though initially dismissing the warning as nonsense, Holden begins to experience eerie and unexplainable phenomena, including a creeping sense of dread and the parchment’s strange ability to return after being discarded.

“Beware, skepticism can kill you.”

As more strange and terrifying events begin to unfold, shaking Holden’s confidence in his scientific worldview, he remains adamant in his disbelief of the supernatural, even when Harrington’s niece, Joanna Harrington (Peggy Cummins), warns him of Karswell’s dangerous powers. The two of them investigate Karswell’s cult and uncover evidence of his ability to summon dark forces, and as the deadline for the curse approaches, Holden realizes the only way to survive is to pass the cursed parchment back to Karswell without his knowledge. With the deadline approaching and the weirdness going up a level or two, Holden becomes increasingly anxious, and the line between his skepticism and belief begins to blur.

To be fair, the demon is also a little blurry.

Stray Observations:

• Joanna Harrington’s license plate includes the number “666, ” the traditional “number of the Beast.” Some people obviously don’t believe in subtlety.
• Although based on the story “Casting of the Runes” by M.R. James, the film doesn’t bear much resemblance to its source material – playing Hot Potato with a cursed calling card is about the only real connection the plot of the film has to the book.
• This film has a jump scare involving a black cat, because what’s a good horror flick without that classic trope?
• For some reason, the stones at Stonehenge are depicted with runes carved into them. Alas, they do not have any runes on them.

Could this be demonic graffiti?

Jacques Tourneur, renowned for his work on atmospheric horror films like Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie, brings a subtle yet chilling touch to Night of the Demon. The film thrives on mood and tension, with Tourneur relying on shadowy cinematography, eerie soundscapes, and meticulous pacing to create a sense of dread. The nighttime sequences in particular, often shrouded in fog and illuminated by flickering light, evoke an almost otherworldly menace. Tourneur’s masterful use of suggestion heightens the suspense, drawing viewers into the protagonist’s growing paranoia. The ominous runic parchment that seals the curse becomes a potent symbol of the inescapable power of belief. Similarly, the sequences involving the demon’s approach—marked by rustling leaves, glowing eyes, and guttural growls—demonstrate the film’s ability to terrify without relying on overt gore or jump scares.

Scary, iconic or both?

The film’s centrepiece is its titular demon, a controversial addition insisted upon by the producers against Tourneur’s wishes. While the monster’s reveal undermines some of the film’s subtlety, its design is undeniably creepy and iconic in its own right. However, the question of whether the demon is real or a figment of psychological manipulation is handled with enough ambiguity to keep us guessing. This leads to one of the most intriguing aspects of Curse of the Demon is its exploration of belief versus skepticism. The film teases the audience with just enough evidence to make the supernatural plausible while keeping Holden—and by extension, the viewer—teetering on the edge of disbelief. We even get a pitstop at a séance to check off another horror trope.

“Can we contact Captain Howdy?”

The film’s success is bolstered by strong performances, particularly from Niall MacGinnis as Julian Karswell. MacGinnis imbues the character with a disarming charm and understated menace, making him one of the most compelling antagonists in horror history. His portrayal blurs the line between charismatic showman and ruthless occultist, leaving audiences both fascinated and unnerved. If there’s a flaw, it’s Dana Andrews’ somewhat stiff performance as Holden. While he embodies the rationalist archetype effectively, his lack of emotional range occasionally feels at odds with the intensity of the story. Nonetheless, Peggy Cummins, as Joanna Harrington, provides emotional depth and acts as a bridge between the rational and the supernatural, grounding the film’s more fantastical elements in human vulnerability.

Personally, I’d believe anything Peggy Cummins told me.

In conclusion, Curse of the Demon is a timeless tale of fear, rationality, and the unknown. With its meticulous pacing and a palpable atmosphere of dread, it remains a cornerstone of 1950s horror. Its emphasis on atmosphere and psychological terror paved the way for subsequent horror classics, from Rosemary’s Baby to The Exorcist. Whether you’re drawn to its themes of skepticism or just enjoy a good supernatural scare, this film is a must-see for fans of classic horror. Also, take my advice: “Never attempt to investigate a Satanic cult.”