Demon (2023) – A Telugu Horror That Haunts but Falls Short
Released on September 22, 2023, Demon is a Telugu horror film directed by Ramesh Pazhaniivel and produced by R. Somasundaram under Window Boys Pictures. With a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes, the film stars Sachin Mani (credited as Sachinn) and Abarnathi in lead roles, supported by Suruthi Periyasamy, Kumki Ashwin, and Raveena Daha. Having recently started streaming on aha as of May 29, 2025, Demon has garnered attention for its chilling premise but leaves audiences with mixed feelings due to its inconsistent execution. As a horror enthusiast, I dove into this film with high hopes, only to find a blend of gripping moments and missed opportunities.
The plot centers on Vignesh Shivan, portrayed by Sachinn, a man tormented by recurring, horrific dreams that blur the lines between reality and nightmare. These dreams aren’t just figments of his imagination—they manifest as mysterious events that unravel his mental stability. The premise taps into a universal fear: the inability to escape one’s own mind. Vignesh’s descent into psychological chaos is the emotional core of the film, and Ramesh Pazhaniivel attempts to ground this horror in a real-world incident, as noted by a Dina Thanthi critic who praised the director for translating a true story into cinematic language.
The first half of Demon sets an eerie tone with its atmospheric tension. Cinematographer R. (whose full name isn’t credited in the sources) uses muted color palettes and shadowy frames to create a sense of dread, particularly in scenes set in Vignesh’s dimly lit home and the foggy forest that haunts his dreams. The sound design, paired with Ronnie Raphael’s haunting score, amplifies the unease—creaking doors, distant whispers, and sudden shrieks keep you on edge. One standout sequence involves Vignesh waking up to find his reflection in the mirror moving independently, a classic horror trope executed with enough restraint to feel fresh.
Sachinn delivers a commendable performance as Vignesh, carrying the film with a raw intensity that makes his unraveling believable. His portrayal of a man teetering on the edge of sanity is the film’s strongest asset, as highlighted by Cinema Express critic Aswin Devan, who rated the movie 2 out of 5 stars but singled out Sachinn’s acting as “head and shoulders above the majority of the cast.” Abarnathi, playing a pivotal role as Vignesh’s confidante, brings a grounded presence, though her character feels underutilized, serving more as a plot device than a fully fleshed-out individual. The supporting cast, including Suruthi Periyasamy and Kumki Ashwin, struggle to leave an impression, with performances that feel stilted and detract from the film’s tension.
Where Demon falters is in its second half, which promises an “unexpected twist” but delivers a convoluted resolution that feels more confusing than shocking. The twist, involving the origins of Vignesh’s dreams, leans heavily on supernatural elements that aren’t adequately foreshadowed, making the reveal feel unearned. This is a common pitfall in horror films—building suspense without a satisfying payoff—and Demon doesn’t escape it. The pacing also suffers as the film tries to juggle psychological horror with jump scares and metaphysical lore, leaving little room for emotional depth. Vignesh’s mental struggle, which should have been the heart of the story, gets overshadowed by generic horror clichés like flickering lights and shadowy figures.
The film’s 4.4 IMDb rating reflects its polarizing reception. An Ananda Vikatan critic gave it a mixed review, likely echoing the sentiment that Demon has potential but doesn’t fully deliver. While the director’s attempt to blend real-life inspiration with horror is ambitious, the execution lacks the polish needed to make it a standout in the genre. Telugu cinema has seen a surge in horror films in recent years, with platforms like aha capitalсию, as noted by eTimes in their 2025 coverage of new Telugu horror releases. Yet, Demon struggles to compete with more polished entries in the genre due to its uneven writing and lack of character depth.
Ultimately, Demon is a film with a promising premise and a strong lead performance but is weighed down by inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a disjointed narrative. For horror fans, it offers a few chilling moments and a visually haunting aesthetic, but it’s not a genre-defining work. If you’re looking for a Telugu horror film to stream on aha, Demon might be worth a watch for Sachinn’s performance and its atmospheric first half—just don’t expect a masterpiece. I’d rate it a 2.5 out of 5, a film that haunts but doesn’t fully possess.