Review: I See the Demon is an Impeccably Acted, Brilliantly Written Horror Movie

Jacob Lees Johnson’s new horror movie I See the Demon is the kind of movie that stays with you long after the credits roll. Impeccably acted and brilliantly written, this haunting atmospheric horror movie is a tour de force.

The story centers around Lucy (Alexis Zollicoffer), a young woman who arrives home to find her friends gathered to celebrate her birthday. She’s thrilled to see them, of course, but something feels off. A strange object in the sky outside leaves her unsettled, especially given that no one else seems to care about it. As the night unfolds, Lucy discovers that things are not what they seem and she’s the only one that knows it.

I See the Demon features a talented cast that includes Alexis Zollicoffer, Mallory Everton, Noah Kershisnik and Jon Heder. The movie is rooted in the mumblecore movement, which focuses on character development, natural performances and improvised dialogue. Thanks to the brilliant script from Johnson, Davey Morrison and Martha Duzett, the movie’s cast delivers a masterclass performance thanks to the hefty dose of improv and creative freedom afforded to the cast with the director’s blessing.

From the very start, I was drawn in by the eerily haunting atmosphere. The movie makes no attempt to hide the fact that something isn’t quite right and it keeps doubling down as the story unfolds. Lucy’s confusion soon turns into terror, which is exacerbated by the fact that the more frightened she is, the more her friends make it seem like nothing is wrong. And since the whole movie takes place inside one house, the insular nature of I See the Demon makes the delicious tension feel like a thick, dense fog that rolls in and swallows you alive.

I finished watching I See the Demon well after three in the morning. I woke up thinking about the movie. I’m still thinking about it a week later. The shocking and satisfying ending makes you pause and reflect about how that feeling of unease you felt while watching it was absolutely warranted.

With Halloween around the corner and new horror movies rolling out at a steady clip, it’s a joy to discover a new film that offers a refreshingly original story, high-quality story with a cast that works so very well together. Don’t sleep on I See the Demon. This movie will keep you up at night in the best of ways.

How to watch I See the Demon

I See the Demon releases on digital on October 20, 2026.

Watch the I See the Demon trailer

Check out the trailer below: