Inner Demons

Inner Demons, directed by Seth Grossman, is a 2014 horror film that blends the tropes of found-footage style filmmaking with a gripping exploration of addiction. The result is a dark and powerful narrative that delves into the depths of human weakness and uncovers forces much more sinister.

The film focuses around the lead character, Carson Morris, brilliantly portrayed by Lara Vosburgh. Carson is a once-promising high school student whose life has spiraled into addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol. Her desperate parents, at their wit's end, consent to the filming of a reality TV show, with the hope that it will document Carson's highs and lows during her recovery process. The crew, headed by a recovering addict himself, played by Kevan McClellan, enters her life expecting to portray a teenage girl's fight against substance abuse. Little do they know they are about to confront a situation more frightening and complex than they could have possibly imagined.

Carson insists that her addiction serves to suppress her demonic possession - a claim initially met with skepticism by the crew. However, as things start unraveling, the lines between reality and nightmare blur, and the crew begins to question whether they’re dealing with a genuine case of demonic possession or an addict desperate for attention. The compelling performance from Lara Vosburgh is skillfully nuanced, incorporating the inner torment of a teenager grappling with her inner demons, both literal and metaphorical.

In addition to Vogburgh's powerful lead performance, Kate Whitney delivers a stellar show as the concerned and desperate mother. Whitney's portrayal of a distraught mother shocked by her daughter's shocking transformation is heartfelt and raw, adding another layer to the complex narrative.

Seth Grossman, the film's director, has brilliantly interwoven elements of raw human emotion with the supernatural, illuminating the metaphor of addiction and demonic possession. Rather than relying on cheap scares, the film builds an atmosphere of constant tension and dread through the gradual revelation of Carson’s demonic possession. The cinematography is smart yet subtle, often employing a handheld camera technique, a nod to the film's faux reality-show setting. The combination of dimly lit interiors with an eerie silence creates an unsettling ambiance that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Inner Demons draws a perfect balance between its horror elements and its social commentary. Much of the true horror in the movie stems from the frightening reality of addiction and its devastating effects on the individual and their families. In drawing a comparison between addiction and demonic possession, the movie emphasizes how both can utterly consume a person, leading them away from their aspirations and themselves.

Yet, it’s not all darkness: the story unfolds through the perspective of the crew cameraman, played by Kevan McClellan, a recovered addict who goes from skeptical outsider to an individual deeply invested in Carson’s wellbeing. This subplot provides a ray of hope and underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in dealing with addiction.

Inner Demons is a thought-provoking psychological horror movie that reinvents the found footage genre. It juxtaposes the dark supernatural with the harsh realities of day-to-day life, creating a unique and chilling narrative that remains hauntingly resonant long after the movie has ended. It’s a film that manages to disturb and educate; a high concept horror movie grounded by its emphasis on the all too real and destructive nature of dependency. The performances, especially by Lara Vosburgh, the narrative's unique perspective, the clever cinematography, and the layered storytelling make the Inner Demons a terrifyingly touching film which is intrinsically worth watching.