PLOT of FIRE CITY – END OF DAYS
The demon Vine secretly lives on Earth, assuming human appearances. His decision to save an innocent girl at the cost of his companions’ lives disturbs the balance between the demon world and the human world.
REVIEW
“Fire City: End of Days,” a film directed by special effects artist Tom Woodruff Jr. (Aliens, Terminator, The Thing), is an interesting blend of dark fantasy, horror, and noir, not seen since the strange and curious hybrid that was “Cast a Deadly Spell.” Released in 2015, this film (originally conceived as a web series) is an intriguing attempt to explore the supernatural world through an urban, decaying lens, populated by demons secretly coexisting with humans. Its unique flavor is reminiscent at times of “Cabal” or “Faust.” The film stands out for its dark aesthetic and sinister atmosphere but suffers from certain narrative limitations that weigh down its overall impact.
The story revolves around Atum Vine, a tormented demon living among humans in a corrupt and declining city where infernal creatures secretly coexist with the population. Vine works as a demon supervisor in a dilapidated building, but often takes on the role of a “private detective” to solve supernatural problems. However, his life is turned upside down when he realizes that the balance between humans and demons is threatened by a mysterious change: humans have suddenly stopped feeling the despair that once consumed their lives, an emotion that quenched the insatiable hunger of demons. This anomaly destabilizes the entire demonic ecosystem, making the creatures hungry and irrational, pushing Vine to quickly search for answers, a journey that unfolds through conflicts, intrigue, and apocalyptic visions, leading Vine to reflect on the relationship between humans and demons.
Both “Fire City: End of Days” and “Cast a Deadly Spell” mix supernatural elements with the detective/noir genre, creating worlds where magic and paranormal creatures coexist with human everyday life. This crossover is always atypical in cinema but well-known to readers and video gamers. However, “Fire City” focuses on a much darker atmosphere, while “Cast a Deadly Spell” balanced dark fantasy with light irony and an almost parodic tone.
The main strength of “Fire City: End of Days” lies in the atmosphere that Woodruff Jr. manages to create (thanks to his expertise as a visual effects and prosthetic makeup specialist), bringing his visionary experience to create a dark and surreal visual universe. The depiction of demons is intriguing, with many rendered using old-school special effects rather than the overused digital effects. This gives the film a handcrafted quality reminiscent of ’80s and ’90s horror films.
The urban setting is also well-crafted: the city in which the characters move is degraded, dirty, and pervaded by a sense of imminent catastrophe. This mood reflects the emotional state of the demons themselves, who live in a world where human despair is essential for their survival. The visual design is one of the most successful aspects of the film, effectively immersing the audience into Vine’s universe. It’s impossible not to think of the building as a sort of Barkerian “Midian,” especially when the demons, all uniquely designed, gather to solve the problem.
Unfortunately, the film falters in its narrative structure. The story tends to get lost in a series of subplots and twists that are not always well-executed. The narrative progression is at times slow and confusing, making it difficult to maintain the viewer’s emotional engagement. Additionally, the characters, including the demons themselves, don’t receive sufficient psychological development to bring out their complexity. In particular, Vine, the protagonist, lacks the charisma or pathos necessary to make his internal struggle truly compelling.
Another weak point lies in the dialogue, which in several moments feels unnatural (also hindered by poor TV dubbing) and at times overly didactic. This further weighs down the film and doesn’t help to give the story the necessary depth.
CONCLUSION
While “Cast a Deadly Spell” offered a lighter and more playful experience, remaining within the supernatural noir, with its balance of suspense and humor, “Fire City: End of Days” tries to delve into truly dark and decadent themes, but the fragmented narrative and subpar writing leave it in a limbo of potential. It’s a shame because the film stands out for the originality of its vision and the distinctiveness of its makeup. Woodruff Jr.’s visual aesthetic is strong and consistent. Despite its flaws, it can still be a fascinating watch for fans of dark fantasy, especially those who appreciate grim atmospheres and infernal worlds represented through a handcrafted approach to special effects.
