I See The Demon
Director: Jacob Lees Johnson
United States, 2024, 83 min
Shooting Format:ARRI Alexa
Festival Year:2025
Category:Narrative Feature
Genres:Horror, Mumblecore, Sci-fi
Cast:Jon Heder, Alexis Zollicoffer, Mallory Everton, Dave Martinez, Noah Kershisnik, Archelaus Crisanto, Mac Steele Foster, Oran Stainbrook
Crew:Writers: Jacob Lees Johnson, Davey Morrison, Martha Duzett. Producers: Ashley Cook, Jordan Augustine, Derek Romrell, Jacob Lees Johnson.
Email:ajcook3@gmail.com
Synopsis
After seeing a strange object floating in the sky, Lucy comes home to a surprise birthday party with all of her favorite people. She’s overjoyed, but when asked about her day, she realizes she can’t remember anything about it. Her loved ones assure her it’s nothing to worry about, but as more unsettling things occur that only she seems to notice, they keep telling her to relax... enjoy the party... there’s nothing to worry about... we’ll take care of you...
As the evening descends into madness, Lucy must discern reality from illusion, and who of her friends are really on her side. All of this will reveal the forgotten trauma Lucy’s tried to bury, and the secrets of a bizarre procedure she cannot understand.
Trailer
About the director
Jacob hails from Elko, Nevada and currently lives in Salt Lake City. Following a decade of shorts, commercials, an experimental docufiction, and a Rocky Mountain Emmy, I See the Demon is his first feature-length narrative effort.
Jacob also serves as producer, co-writer, and editor.
Filmmaker's note
Inspired by myriad experiences and insights, both personal and observed, I See the Demon is a sci-fi mumblegore that explores the dark gaps in our relationships, the places where doubt and mistrust can grow. It paints an ambiguous portrait of our perceptions, leaving lots of space for interpretation; like a dream, we hope each person who watches it comes away with their own version of what happened, of how it happened, and of what it means to them.
It asked a whole hell of a lot of Alexis, our lead. Playing a victim of buried and forgotten trauma, she had to go to some very vulnerable, very difficult, very dark places, and she embodies those feelings triumphantly. You can feel the hurt, the anger, the damage in her remarkably nuanced performance. This movie rests on her shoulders, carrying it to heights I could have never taken it.
I could not be more happy or proud that my first full production came to fruition thanks to such amazing actors, crewmembers, and friends. I’m confident it will resonate with audiences and I can’t wait for them to experience it.