Delving into confusion and messing with genre expectations, as well as making some serious points about contemporary morality, this is thought-provoking film. Though not exactly an entirely successful one.
Demonlover (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 73
Fresh: 35
Rotten:38
Average Rating: 5.5/10
Consensus: A stylish but convoluted mess without any sympathetic characters.
Theatrical Release:Sep 19, 2003 Limited
Box Office: $39,284
Synopsis: In this dark French thriller directed by Olivier Assayas, Connie Nielsen (GLADIATOR) stars as Diane, an ambitious corporate climber. As Diane ruthlessly cuts down her rivals, she finds herself... In this dark French thriller directed by Olivier Assayas, Connie Nielsen (GLADIATOR) stars as Diane, an ambitious corporate climber. As Diane ruthlessly cuts down her rivals, she finds herself negotiating an important deal with the imposing Hervé Le Millinec (Charles Berling) and the producers of hi-tech, pornographic Japanese anime films. Eventually, her subversive business techniques lead her into the decadent and mysterious world of "The Hellfire Club," an interactive torture and S&M website. Can Diane maintain control of her increasingly shadowy and confusing situation? And can she continue to eliminate her opponents before they eliminate her? With DEMONLOVER, Assayas has created a film that is immersed in the seedy and corporate elements of early 21st century pop culture--a world where big business, Japanese animation, and sex violently collide. Nielsen, who speaks fluent French, is compelling as Diane, an ice queen who refuses to allow any emotion to stand in her way. The cast is rounded out by the formidable Berling, Chloë Sevigny in a duplicitous role, and Gina Gershon as a trashy American counterpart to Diane. Alternatively atmospheric and jarring, Assayas' film is enhanced by Sonic Youth's cool, evocative score. [More]
Starring: Connie Nielsen, Charles Berling, Chloë Sevigny, Gina Gershon
Starring: Connie Nielsen, Charles Berling, Chloë Sevigny, Gina Gershon, Dominique Reymond
Director: Olivier Assayas
Director: Olivier Assayas
Screenwriter: Olivier Assayas
Studio: Palm Pictures
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Reviews for Demonlover
Rather than deepening the mystery and sense of intoxication, the picture soon becomes one prolonged and very bad hangover.
It's fun for a while, but gets steadily more opaque, elliptical and annoying.
It's gripping and provocative, making effective use of actor Charles Berling and the music of Sonic Youth.
Over and over, people hold solemn, antagonistic meetings over who'll get the rights to make computer-generated sleaze.
Our wait for a decent corporate espionage / interactive virtual porn film continues.
Yes, the subject is entertainment in the 21st century. A shame that it's not more entertaining.
There are those who see something brilliant and profound here. All I can see, however, is the confused work of a director who for some reason completely abandoned style and substance.
A bleak cyber-thriller that bids you to see through the glossy images on the screen's surface.
This global thriller seriously plays with your head ... refusing to resolve itself into something clear-cut. But the approach is assured and intelligent.
Though film buffs will like the many references, the story takes a back seat to the visuals, and images, no matter how sensational, can only carry a film so far.
While Assayas is masterful at creating an eerie mood and has a far-sighted grasp of future shock, he seems to have left orbit while trying to tie up Demonlover's loose ends
By far one of the most interesting and thoughtful pieces of cinema to savage American cinema screens in ages, and certainly the only incoming French mind-warper with a soundtrack by Sonic Youth.
Demonlover is the kind of film that wants to make you feel stupid for not liking it.
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