Running Time: 64 Minutes
Starring: António da Luz, João Loy, João Pedro Lopes, Horácio Jorge, Cristiano Guerreiro, Marlon Fortes, Sara Fernandes Fortes
Hidden in the mountains of Portugal is the remote village of Pé da Serra, the arrival place of Raul (João Pedro Lopes) as he carries a demonic sword (João Loy). Their shared conversation makes the set-up clear, as a fragile agreement sees the duo working together to extinguish demons in order to break the curse which traps Espada within the sword. Their journey is hindered by a bubble encased around the village, which leaves the pair trapped inside along with demons that only they can see.
As the pair fight against the demonic forces, they are surprised that town drunk António (António da Luz) can also see the demons, and attempts to help. The mystical weapon eventually ends up in António's hands, and the drunkard must learn to work together with the sword to fight the oncoming evil.
If Under The Dome had a baby with Demon Slayer that was raised on tokusatsu, The Old Man and The Demon Sword would be the curious result. Director Fábio Powers explores a classic good versus evil plot through a fun pairing, as a man of god and a demonic entity are forced into a partnership. They initially face difficulties in trusting each other, although their barriers soon break down. Between António da Luz's earnest performance and João Loy's determined voice work, this story of lost souls who feel irredeemable resonates.
Built up across the short runtime is the demonic world-building, which effectively captures the stakes within this confined location with a low-budget charm. Less effective are the attempts at humour, as these instances feel lacking and can undercut some scenes. The visual effects can also be distractingly hokey, although that would fit in well with the tokusatsu homages.
As the feature moves closer to the end, there is a strange feeling that many key moments are rushed through. The reasoning becomes apparent in the last few moments, when the film changes before viewers eyes to turn a reasonably straightforward tale into something that does not hang together. There is a curious idea about exploiting those in need of help, yet it feels tacked onto an entirely different film. This is a shame, because it lets down the otherwise fun work that is The Old Man and The Demon Sword.
The Old Man and The Demon Sword made its World Premiere at Fantasia 2024
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