Horror Movie Review: The Irrefutable Truth about Demons (2000)

Looking, sounding, and feeling like a film from the year 2000, The Irrefutable Truth about Demons is a seriously fun flick provided you’re willing to completely detach your brain and enjoy the absurd ride.

A ride that writer and director Glenn Standring tried to be as creative as possible with (wringing every penny out of the budget) and a ride that the cast are mostly game for being part of. A cast that includes Katie Wolfe, Jonathon Hendry, Sally Stockwell, and Karl Urban.

Yes, that Karl Urban. Way before he became the superstar that he is and way before he became a versatile actor capable of holding the viewer’s attention on screen. Although that’s probably being too harsh as he’s not too bad here. Playing the role of anthropoloy professor Harry Ballard who gets caught up in a demonic plot surrounding cults and the mysterious death of his brother, Richard, a few months prior.

Events spiral out of control for Harry, causing massive issues with his girlfriend (Sally Stockwell) as he gets caught up with the schizophrenic Benny (Katie Wolfe) in an attempt to stop cult leader Le Valliant (Jonathan Hendry) from completing a ritual. Or maybe none of this is actually happening, and it’s just Harry’s way of dealing with the grief of losing his brother and being on a pretty insane cocktail of drugs.

Yes, the film does actually try to be a bit psychological, but aside from one interesting sequence, it never tries too hard, meaning any attempts to subvert are unconvincing. Which is fine though, because The Irrefutable Truth about Demons has so much silliness going for it elsewhere, it really doesn’t need any serious threads.

The story is dumb, but layered, and that bleeds into a handful of characters that are basic, but memorable. In the case of one or two, that’s mainly because of how they look. A couple of these characters had spent some money in a S&M store is seems. Yet, the clear age of the film just makes it even more endearing. You won’t find too many 2000 horrors that actually encapsulate that period as well as this one does.

That also applies to the filming style, the yellow filters, the music, and the effects, many of which are solid, when practical. There’s not a ton of CGI in this film, but when we do get some CGI demons, they stand out and not for good reasons. What does stand out for good reasons is the blood and gore, of which is there is plenty and there are some decently savage touches here and there.

It’s just a shame some characters sell some of the more brutal moments with a look of mild disinterest and confusion, rather than fear or disgust. With Karl Urban being one of the chief culprits. To be fair though, he and others, don’t really have a lot to work with and it often feels like they’re being propelled forward by a rushed narrative giving them very little time to breathe and be in the moment. Something that means Urban and Wolfe end up having very little chemistry and delivering awkward ‘romance’ moments and a seriously boring sex scene.

Don’t worry too much about this though, as there’s always something delightfully silly right after and most will be gleefully anticipating another cheesy Jonathan Hendry scene. It’s a shame he’s not in it more, but he lights things up in brilliantly awkward fashion when he is. Another positive aspect of this film, and one of many, making it a bit of a gem and certainly a forgotten one of its era.