This Animated Horror Film Is Like ‘South Park’ Meets H.P. Lovecraft

Lovecraft and South Park might look like an unlikely pairing to the uninitiated, however followers know that the traditional entity generally known as Cthulhu made an look within the hit comedy present in Season 14 episodes “Coon 2: Hindsight” and “Mysterion Rises.” Even the crab folks (“seems like crab, discuss like folks”) give off some critical Lovecraftian vibes. Nonetheless, South Park’s comedic edge retains it from giving horror followers a correct homage to the late writer of cosmic terror.

This hole is completely stuffed by the 2019 hand-crafted animated movie, Assault of the Demons. It captures the creative DIY aptitude of early South Park however manages to the touch on a extra macabre and mature horror story that does H.P. Lovecraft justice. The perfect half? The film is free to stream.

Hell Involves a Sleepy City in ‘Assault of the Demons’

Set in 1994, Assault of the Demons follows three mates with completely different nerdy pursuits — Kevin, Jeff, and Natalie — as they battle towards a horde of demons raised by a cult throughout a Halloween music competition in Barrington, Ontario. The music, videogame, and movie-loving nerd trio miss the large occasion that turns a lot of the city into bloodthirsty monsters as their hobbies draw them away from the crowds. It leaves them, with a couple of different cultural outsiders, the final bastion of hope to save lots of humanity and stop the tip of the world.

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Assault of the Demons was created by Evan Energy, who makes use of meticulously crafted hand-cut animation to make artwork, brief movies, and feature-length motion pictures. The Lovecraft-inspired animated horror movie marks Energy’s second characteristic movie, following the samurai-inspired Path of Blood. He continues to make movies, together with his most up-to-date providing an perception into his artistic course of with the documentary Papercuts – My Life as an Indie Animator. Assault of the Demons consists of the voice appearing abilities of Katie Maguire, Andreas Petersen,​​​​​​​ and Thomas Petersen because the trio tasked with saving the world.

‘Assault of the Demons’ Has Roots in Cosmic Terror

Assault of the Demons attracts affect from H.P. Lovecraft, significantly within the type of Stuart Gordon’s movie diversifications of his work. This consists of some otherworldly horror mixed with physique horror. Structurally, the movie additionally follows the acquainted beats of a Lovecraft adaptation, with the start of the phobia invading the small sleepy city from a cultist elevating an historical evil from the depths with a chant. Director Evan Energy would additionally touch upon this in an interview with Director’s Notice, although for followers of horror cinema, it felt extra like a affirmation of what was already evident:

This homage, whereas noticeable, doesn’t reduce or cheapen the tip product of Assault of the Demons. As an alternative, it presents a delectably darkish story of cosmic horror that may go away followers feeling nostalgic. That is significantly true because the film’s hand-crafted method touches on one other side of leisure beloved to many children of the ’90s and ’00s: South Park.

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Whereas It Lacks the Comedy of ‘South Park,’ ‘Assault of The Demons’ Compliments the Widespread Sequence

To match Assault of the Demons to South Park is barely deceptive, as one leans closely into humor whereas the opposite balances drama with horror. Nonetheless, the 2 intersect in key methods. Notably, each make use of handcrafted animation that’s exceptionally effectively carried out. On the identical time, Assault of the Demons emphasizes meticulous, detail-heavy paper animation, whereas South Park has lengthy since shifted to CGI. This method makes them comparable however provides Assault of the Demons a slight edge in visible craftsmanship. Evan Energy’s dedication to conventional paper animation stands out in an period the place such kinds are sometimes replicated digitally.

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The 2 additionally join via their exploration of nostalgia. South Park displays on exaggerated childlike mischief, whereas Assault of the Demons gives a extra mature reflection on the previous. Set in and feeling definitive of the ’90s, Assault of the Demons captures a pre-internet period when millennials pursued their nerdy passions offline, evoking fond recollections of an easier time — very similar to the early seasons of South Park. Do not anticipate an specific “South Park meets On the Mountains of Insanity,” however Assault of the Demons nonetheless efficiently pulls from its completely different inspirations and gives a humorous, gory, and nostalgically gratifying viewing expertise. You may stream Attack of the Demons totally free on Tubi, Plex, and Fandango at Dwelling.