When Evil Lurks
Directed by Demián RugnaInhabitants of a quaint countryside town uncover chilling news: a demon is on the verge of being born in their midst. In a race against time, they attempt to flee before the malevolent force comes to life, but escaping may already be out of reach.
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When Evil Lurks Ratings & Reviews
- gergletJuly 11, 2025Gory for no reason
- jackmeatMarch 4, 2025My quick rating - 7.3/10. This flick plunges you into a harrowing and unforgettable horror experience, solidifying its place as a must-see for genre enthusiasts. Directed by Demian Rugna, this film masterfully blends traditional horror elements with innovative storytelling, resulting in a chilling and brutal cinematic journey. Set in a remote village, the story follows two brothers, Pedro (Ezequiel Rodriguez) and Jimmy (Demian Salomón), who discover a man infected with a demonic entity on the verge of "giving birth" to evil itself. Their desperate attempt to dispose of the body inadvertently unleashes a wave of chaos, setting off a chain reaction of terror that engulfs their entire community. One of the first things I noticed was the extraordinary makeup effects. The practical effects work is nothing short of astonishing, creating some of the most grotesque and horrifying images I have seen in recent horror cinema. The meticulous attention to detail in the makeup and prosthetics enhances the film's visceral impact, making the supernatural elements feel disturbingly real. The demon-infected man, in particular, is a nightmarish vision that will haunt you long after the film ends. This one absolutely doesn't shy away from brutality, delivering scenes that are both shocking and relentless in their intensity. This unflinching approach to horror is both a strength and a potential deterrent for some audiences. The violence is graphic and, at times, overwhelmingly brutal, but it serves to heighten the sense of dread and hopelessness that permeates the narrative. Rugna's direction is deft, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and foreboding. The remote village setting enhances the sense of isolation and vulnerability, trapping the characters in a nightmarish scenario with no easy escape. The sound design and score are equally effective, using eerie silences and unsettling noises to amplify the terror. The performances are solid across the board, with Rodriguez and Salomón delivering compelling portrayals of brothers caught in a desperate situation. Their actions and decisions, though sometimes questionable, are driven by a palpable fear and urgency that makes their plight all the more gripping. This movie excels in creating moments of pure terror, offering images that sear into your mind and refuse to fade. It has an uncanny ability to sustain a high level of suspense and horror throughout its runtime making it very recommendable. This flick is a testament to the power of practical effects and atmospheric storytelling in crafting horror that truly lingers.
- Zeqi & SaraFebruary 25, 2025Such a cool movie
- Kevin WardJuly 2, 2025Oooooh, f🤩king loved this. A bleak, unsettling and unrelenting horror that has an evil presences possessing and infecting an Argentinian town. Absolutely loved the blending of possession/infection horror. Gnarly kills and practical gore that spares no one, including children and animals. Thinking it’s my favorite horror of 2023. Highly recommend. Wish I had gotten to see it in the theater.
- Plexserver_AlessioJune 11, 2025My pitbull named Princess enjoyed this movie
- cultfilmlikerMay 3, 2025I mean….i’m vexed by certain decisions made in the first 30 minutes but the result of it was almost worth it. Don’t like this demons rules, man how are you even supposed to remember all that A lotta questionable decisions leading up to some big mindfuckery Would love to know where the characters went from there lol Very graphic and gross!! I am very confused that many people have called this film so scary! Wasn’t impressed! Honestly I’m not super sure how I feel about this movie and it’s perplexing to me. My mind is going back and forth like I’m on shrooms lmao there’s somehow too much going on and not enough going on I have no idea
- Michael HeimgartnerMay 1, 2025Unrelenting, Inventive, and Truly Evil – A Modern Possession Nightmare When Evil Lurks is one of the most unflinching and inventive horror films of recent years—a brutal reinvention of the possession subgenre that doesn’t just flirt with taboo, but smashes through it unapologetically. Directed by Demián Rugna (Terrified), the film wastes no time establishing itself as unpredictable and dangerous. There is no plot armor for its characters—anyone can die, and often in shocking, deeply disturbing ways. This alone injects a raw tension that most mainstream horror films lack. You’re never allowed to feel safe, and that’s a rare and exhilarating thing. The story begins with two brothers stumbling into a demonic infection already in progress, and from there, chaos spirals in all directions. Their misguided attempts to help only escalate the horror, giving the film a chaotic, helpless energy reminiscent of Evil Dead—not in tone, as When Evil Lurks is far bleaker and more serious—but in the way things keep going horribly, grotesquely wrong. The absurdity of their failures adds a strange texture that somehow makes the violence hit even harder. The first half is a relentless barrage of gut-punch moments—each more shocking than the last. From the disturbing opening to the now-infamous dog scene, Rugna demonstrates an almost sadistic willingness to break all the unspoken rules of horror storytelling. And it works. You can feel the audience tensing up, thinking: “Did they really just do that?” The camerawork is excellent, capturing wide, eerie shots of rural decay and panic while keeping the terror intimate. The gore is particularly inventive—gruesome without feeling indulgent. Rugna knows exactly how to make each violent moment matter. In the second half, the film slows slightly as it attempts to flesh out its lore. While the world-building is intriguing and hints at a much larger mythos, it risks over-explaining things and somewhat diminishes the raw, chaotic power of the earlier scenes. That said, even this more contemplative stretch maintains an ominous, oppressive atmosphere. If there’s one flaw, it’s that the film could have gone deeper in exploring the thematic core of its horror. The potential for something more profound is there, especially with its themes of generational trauma, helplessness, and belief—but these are touched on more than explored. Still, When Evil Lurks is a gutsy, relentless piece of horror filmmaking that dares to disturb in new ways. Demián Rugna cements himself as one of the genre’s most exciting voices, following up the already brilliant Terrified with a film that is nastier, bigger, and no less memorable. One of the boldest horror films of the year. Shudder made the right call bringing this to audiences hungry for something truly unpredictable. Not for the faint of heart—but for horror fans tired of safe, recycled scares, When Evil Lurks is a breath of cursed air.
- PatrikStarApril 20, 2025He just cant Listen to anyone..
- rg9400November 1, 2024My gut reaction to this movie was that it was just really messed up, playing more in the disturbing realm than scary. Don't get me wrong, there are some intense scenes that do feel unpredictable and horrifying. But it's just so bleak. However, since I watched it, I often find myself returning to it. The movie is very effective at creating a visceral and lasting impact. Someone else I know mentioned it is an exploration of the domino effect that rash men can have, and viewing it from that lens, I feel like I appreciate it a lot more now.
