Name the Demon Review (2024)

Synopsis

Name the Demon follows a team of exorcists who must identify the name of the demon possessing a woman to save her life

My Thoughts on Name the Demon

Good Points

Strong Understanding of Found Footage

This film understands the found-footage format pretty well, as it doesn’t make the mistake of adding any unnecessary music or shaky filler shots, and the simple logic makes everything feel fairly authentic.

Natural Filmmaking Logic

The reason for filming was always clear, and you never feel like someone’s holding a camera “just because.”

Jessie Nerud’s Performance

Jessie Nerud’s performance as the possessed mother is quite good, and she shifts from terror to anger to heartbreak seamlessly.

Pacing

Once the exorcism starts, the tension never really drops, and the movie builds all the pressure slowly, and I liked how it avoided cheap jumps and instead went for atmosphere and dread.

Smart Use of Sound and Lighting

The film relies heavily on natural lighting,, and combined with the creaks, whispers in the background, it creates a claustrophobic soundscape that works well enough.

Minimal but Effective Setting

Almost everything happens inside one house, yet it never feels repetitive, and you actually feel trapped in that space, waiting for something to go wrong.

Emotional Core

Beneath the possession and the screaming, there’s a human story about loss and guilt, as it’s not just about a demon – it’s about what happens when grief and desperation open the wrong doors.

Confident Direction

The director clearly knows what kind of story they wanted to tell, and the pacing, tone, and focus on realism all work together with some steady filmmaking.

Bad Points

Uneven Dialogue

Some of the dialogue during the more intense scenes feels too forced, and a few lines sound like they’re trying too hard to sound “evil” or “religious”.

The Acting

Apart from Jessie Nerud, the rest of the cast were not that good, it has to be said.

Flat Opening

The movie takes a bit too long to find its rhythm, where the early scenes are quiet, and while that helps build tone, it does lack the tension that drives the rest of the film.

Limited Backstory

I would’ve liked a little more explanation about the family’s past or how the possession began – we get hints of tragedy, but not quite enough detail to fully connect the dots.

Repetition in the Exorcism Scene

The exorcism sequence runs long in places, with repeated chanting and camera swings that lose some of their punch after a while.

Predictable Genre Beats

While well executed, the structure does follow a familiar path — strange noises, violent outburst, truth revealed, tragedy etc.

A Few Technical Flaws

A couple of audio spikes and handheld camera shakes feel unintentional, not stylistic.

Missed Chance for Bigger Payoff

The ending works emotionally but could’ve used one last bold moment — a visual or reveal that lands harder. It ends quietly, which some will love, but others might find underwhelming.

Is Name the Demon Worth Watching?

I would say it’s worth a one time watch, as it’s quite focused, grounded, and surprisingly emotional, with some decent atmosphere.

The film understands that fear comes from the familiar turning strange — a home becoming a trap, and a loved one becoming something else.

I thought it was OK, despite a lot of bad reviews!

Name the Demon Trailer
Name the Demon on IMDB
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