Cast
View AllFelissa Rose
as Detective
Ari Lehman
as Biker Bartender
Bret Hart
as Brad
Lauren Williams
as Carrie
Barry J. Gillis
as Barry
Nigel Hartwell
as Chainsaw Chuck
Elske McCain
as Stripper (archive footage)
Marvin "Knife" Sotelo
as Wanted Criminal
Hanna Hudson
as Tara
Cheyenne Ennis
as Amanda
Dakota House
as Senica
Mark D Valenti
as Wanted criminal
Anesha Gopaul
as Teenager
Crew
Director
- Nigel Hartwell
Producer
- Terri Drennan
- Nigel Hartwell
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Fantasy/Thriller/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Demented presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by blending supernatural elements with realistic human reactions.
Director Nigel Hartwell brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2021, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Demented took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $0.2 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 91 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 147 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 913 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 275 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2021, when this film is released:
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Demented shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Biography: Dusty Rhodes, which focuses more on action than character development, Demented subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like WWE Power Series: Triple H and Roma WWF Superstar to Teacher: A Mini Documentary explore similar territory, Demented stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 12, 2021
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Budget: $191,100
Where to Watch

