The Horror Show
Demon House
by Zak Bagans
This one is going to be hard for me. This is a “true” story told in a documentary format featuring real people and places, and actual family tragedies. I'm trying really hard to give you, dear readers, a fair critique of the film Demon House without my personal beliefs and skeptical nature hindering it in any way. Please forgive me if some of my hang ups seep into this review. I'm only human.
The first thing I feel I need to do is talk about Zak Bagans. Bagans is the host of the show Ghost Adventures on The Travel Chanel. He's been playing the paranormal research game since 2004. I think I've seen one or two episodes in passing. Ghost shows are not my thing unless I really want to giggle at grown men scaring themselves on night vision cameras. With his faux-hawk hair, tattoos, and obvious make up, Bagans reminds me more of a guy in the background of Jersey Shore than anything. I will give him this, I believe that he believes in what he's trying to find. He also doesn't shy away from the science that could explain away the paranormal. I respect that he takes that into consideration. However, that is as far as my respects go.
Demon House is the story of a house in Gary, Indiana that has had a number of strange occurrences. Stories of multiple possessions, disembodied voices, strange footsteps, violence, and death have plagued this small house for decades. Upon hearing about this house, Zak Bagans buys it and decides to investigate what could be happening. Bagans calls on an entire team of law enforcement, priests, and an actual doctor. Of course this stirs something in the house and a few crew members have to quit because of the affect the house has on them. Even Bagans himself is changed when dealing with this, so called, “Portal to Hell.”
My personal skepticism aside, the movie was mediocre. It had a bunch of re-enactments with some of the worst child actors ever. The “goat demon” that Bagans and his crew have claimed to see was laughable. Even some of the more tense areas of the film were just too hilarious. It's a one hour and thirty seven minute Ghost Adventures episode except they can cuss without the bleeps.
I don't agree with how Zak Bagans took care of some things. There is a section with a suicidal girl that made me very angry because of my personal views on and experience with mental illness. If you are into Bagans and his shows then this movie is for you. If you're not a fan, I wouldn't bother. I'd find a more logical documentary to watch.
Robin Thompson, HMS
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