Director Rohit Mittal’s Demons is a keenly observed drama and a brilliant character study of two conflicted individuals in a crumbling marriage. Early on, when the wife reveals she has cheated on her husband, you’re left wondering can they/should they make this work or go their separate ways? As you grapple with these questions alongside the protagonists, Mittal’s bold, provocative film presents us with bigger questions to ponder over. In the mold of films like Revolutionary Road and Marriage Story, Demons is not a film to be solved but to be experienced as a meditation on love, life and the human condition.
The film also reflects the times we live in; despite living in a world so connected, our relationships often remain superficial, and deep down, we’re more lonely than ever.
Demons works on many levels. Mittal’s fly-on-the-wall approach quietly unravels the characters, allowing their stories to unfold without influencing the viewers’ perception. The camera is silently scrutinizing, never imposing. It unobtrusively lets us into the inner worlds of these vulnerable individuals, torn between their choices and morals.
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The carefully framed close-ups add to the discomfort, further intensifying the proceedings. Silence, oftentimes, gives away as much as words and actions do in this dialogue-driven story. The confined setting of the film (shot entirely in a house) creates a sense of unease, symbolizing the couple’s strained relationship.
It isn’t for Mittal’s impeccable execution alone that the film works. The raw, candid performances from the leads, Swati Semwal and Vinay Sharma play an equal part. Demons is one remarkable scene after another but one that particularly stood out for me was Swati’s telephonic conversation with her mother. We never get to see the mother; Swati’s act, caught in a whirlwind of fear and helplessness, is sheer brilliance. Vinay’s subdued uncertainty, punctuated by bursts of volatility, is equally astounding to watch.
Theater actor Narottam Bain leaves a lasting impression in his brief 10-minute screen time. Sanjay Bishnoi, known for his roles in Delhi Crime and 12th Fail, excels even with his limited screen presence.
Shot with a cast of four on a minimal budget, Demons serves a powerful reminder to young, aspiring filmmakers that big studios aren’t necessary; all you need is a compelling story and the ability to tell it well.
Rating: 4/5
Where to Watch: Zee5
