Horror Movie Review: Demon of Paradise (1987)

Directed by Cirio H. Santiago, with a story written by Frederick Bailey and C.J. Santiago, Demon of Paradise is an exceptionally dull film. So unremarkable that a few days after it’s viewed, it will be gone from the memory. The insipid film stars Kathryn Witt, William Steis, Laura Banks, and Nick Nicholson, who spend a lot of the film doing absolutely nothing.

However, that’s because there’s nothing for them to do. This might be a creature feature and have a fella in a rubber reptilian suit in it, but it takes a leisurely approach to its story and the humdrum events that eventually get things going.

Which begins on an island resort under attack from a mythical beast known as Akua, who lives in the water and has been awakened by illegal dynamite. Of course, the resort owner refuses to close, especially as she’s due a big influx of tourists soon and there’s no actual proof that Akua exists. Until there is, and the sheriff and a herpetologist must work together to stop it.

This is a story, that while overly familiar, can be done well, and we’ve seen so many variations on it over the years. Alas, the approach here is so lethargic, it starts to feel like a bit of a joke. Except no-one is laughing, least of all you, the viewer. It’s a very serious film featuring very serious actors saying very serious words and promising to eventually do serious things.

Eventually…

It is not hyperbole to say that nothing happens in this film related to the monster until the final 15 or so minutes. The film is nearly 90 minutes long. That’s a lot of filler, a lot of talking, and a lot of awkward acting and bad dialogue. Which could have at least meant we got deep and detailed characters, but that’s just another example of this film’s lacklustre attempt at making something watchable.

It does feel like you’d have to purposely try to make something so bland and boorish as this. A film that lacks any entertainment value at all, as even when the monster does decide to fully rear its head, everything that happens around this is tame. If you’re expecting some blood and/or guts, think again. While some people do die, it’s either off-screen or completely bloodless.

Oh, how fun.

If all of this wasn’t bad enough, it’s not a pretty movie and the score is even worse. At least with the latter, Demon of Paradise manages to elect some passion from the viewer as most will find themselves angrily reaching for the mute button. You might as well watch it on mute anyway, it’s not like anything happens that isn’t worth missing out on.