The horror-thriller When Evil Lurks is a remarkable display of Demian Rugna’s skill in portraying evil as a tangible and ever-present force. Instead of being an abstract concept, the film presents this sinister entity as something that interacts with people and disturbs their surroundings in terrifying ways.
Rugna’s artistic approach, coupled with grotesque and unsettling imagery, deserves even more recognition than it has received. Those who enjoy horror thrillers should not miss this film. A compelling aspect of the story is how it highlights the supremacy of evil in moments of despair—where good only serves to rationalize its small victories. Spoilers Ahead!
No escape when evil spreads without warning (Photo: When Evil Lurks/Shudder, Machaco Films, and Aramos Cine)When Evil Lurks Plot Overview
Two brothers, Pedro and Jimi, find their peaceful Argentinian town suddenly disturbed by the sound of gunshots. Their curiosity pushes them to investigate, and what they discover is horrifying—a gruesomely mutilated body.
Shocked by the sight, they search through some documents found on the body and learn about a woman named Maria Elena. Maria shares a chilling revelation about her son, Uriel, who has been possessed. She explains that the corpse they stumbled upon belonged to a man who was attempting a ritual to extract the demon from Uriel.
When the brothers, along with Ruiz—the landowner—attempt to remove Uriel from the area, something goes wrong. They end up losing his body, and despite their efforts to keep the incident hidden, evil starts spreading uncontrollably, triggering a wave of horrifying events.
Ruiz’s Tragic Fate
Ruiz’s pregnant wife stumbles upon something disturbing within one of their goats the following morning. Her terrified scream alerts Ruiz, who instinctively grabs his gun, knowing the goat has been possessed. Despite his wife’s warning that firearms should never be used to kill a demon, Ruiz ignores her and shoots the goat.
The consequence is immediate and terrifying—his wife, seemingly taken over by the demon, strikes him down with an axe before turning the weapon on herself. Within mere moments, the entity possesses and annihilates them both.
As the horrifying events surrounding Uriel’s body play out, Maria’s younger son seeks refuge with Pedro and Jimi, informing them of Ruiz’s family’s demise. It becomes clear to Pedro that moving Uriel disrupted the demon’s grip, unleashing chaos upon the entire town.
With this realization, he resolves to take his family and escape as far as possible.
The Fate of Sabrina and Leo
Pedro rushes into town, determined to warn his ex-wife, Sabrina, and her husband, Leo, but his warnings fall on deaf ears. He takes drastic action—removing his clothes and setting them ablaze, convinced they might carry traces of the demonic presence.
However, the family’s dog sniffs at the burning garments, unknowingly making contact with the evil force. The horror manifests when the dog suddenly grabs Sabrina’s daughter by the neck and bolts away.
While Pedro frantically tries to stop Leo from using a gun, the terrified man disregards the warning and shoots the animal. Meanwhile, Pedro gathers his two sons, but just as he prepares to leave in Sabrina’s car, he notices something deeply unsettling—her daughter remains unharmed despite the attack.
Realization dawns upon him: this is not Sabrina’s daughter, but the demon itself. The entity whispers into Sabrina’s ear, foretelling that Leo will soon arrive and run her over. Moments later, Leo speeds toward her, ramming her against a wall.
The Rules Pedro’s Mother Mentions
Pedro reunites with Jimi and their mother, and together they flee the town. During their journey, their mother shares seven vital rules meant to safeguard against demonic possession. These rules serve as a defense mechanism, ensuring that the entity does not gain control over anyone.
Though seemingly straightforward, following them in a moment of crisis proves to be incredibly challenging.
The guidelines include: avoiding electric lights, keeping distance from animals, refusing to take anything that has been near the possessed, refraining from harming them, never uttering the demon’s name, steering clear of firearms when confronting them, and—according to Mirta, a woman Jimi knows—suppressing fear, as demons draw strength from it.
Can Mirta Help Pedro’s Family?
As night falls, Sabrina mysteriously appears inside Mirta’s home and takes Santino with her. Pedro searches desperately but is unable to locate him. Mirta confides in Jimi, revealing that Jair, Pedro’s older son, is the demon’s current vessel.
Since Jair is autistic, the demon struggles to fully comprehend his mind, delaying its control over him. However, Mirta insists that to end the terror, Uriel must be destroyed permanently. Jimi embarks on a search for Santino, while Pedro and Mirta track Uriel to a school where he manipulates children using his supernatural abilities.
Uriel fights to maintain his existence, utilizing the children as his protectors, but Pedro and Mirta battle fiercely to put a stop to him. However, Uriel’s deceptive tactics prove effective—he manages to separate Pedro from Mirta just long enough for the children to kill her and sabotage the only machine capable of eradicating the demon.
When Evil Lurks Ending Explained
Pedro is left devastated as he stares at the broken machine, realizing that their final hope has been shattered. Meanwhile, Uriel watches him, seemingly amused. In sheer desperation, Pedro grabs a piece of the damaged machine and repeatedly strikes Uriel’s head, killing him.
However, this does not mean the demon has been defeated. Jimi delivers horrifying news—while searching for Santino, he discovers that Sabrina has resorted to eating her own child’s brain. Overcome with rage and disgust, Jimi runs over her with his vehicle, sustaining severe injuries in the process.
Pedro later learns that their mother has also passed away. With no other options left, they return to the countryside where it all began. Hoping to provide Jair with a small comfort, Pedro gives him his favorite apple ice cream.
Later, as Pedro warms himself by the fireplace, Jair begins to cough violently. Pedro moves closer to help him, only to discover something lodged in his throat.
Why Does Pedro Kill His Son?
As Pedro attempts to assist Jair, Jimi visits the stable to check on Maria’s younger son. A disturbing truth is unveiled—Maria’s son confesses that the mutilated body they found earlier belonged to Mirta’s husband.
He reveals that he once heard a mysterious voice instructing him to kill the person trying to help Uriel, which he obeyed without hesitation. His confession takes a darker turn as he admits to cannibalizing both Mirta’s husband and his mother.
Meanwhile, Pedro is horrified to find a tangled mass of gray hair emerging from Jair’s mouth, followed by a pendant that belonged to their mother. The realization strikes—Jair’s body still houses the demon. Shocked and helpless, Pedro watches as blood trickles from his son’s lips.
Outside, Jimi tries to enter the house, but Pedro stops him, breaking down in tears. Smoke rises from the chimney, confirming what has happened—Pedro has placed Jair in the fireplace, ensuring the demon is eradicated once and for all.
Despite his relentless efforts, Pedro fails to shield his family from the overwhelming force of the demon. His fear of losing them only fueled its power, making it an unstoppable force. Even with death, the malevolent presence prevails, while whatever goodness remains is shrouded in sorrow and grief.
The Growth of Evil in When Evil Lurks
Fear, possession, and the cost of defying the unknown (Photo: When Evil Lurks/Shudder, Machaco Films, and Aramos Cine)The Demon’s Transformation
Throughout the film, the progression of the demonic force is depicted in an unsettling manner. Initially contained within Uriel, resembling a festering, malignant presence, the entity rapidly expands beyond its original host.
Rather than remaining confined, it spreads like an infection, corrupting not just people but the environment itself. This sinister evolution highlights the insidious nature of evil—it is relentless, constantly expanding, and thrives in disorder and despair.
The Symbolism of Fire
Fire carries deep meaning in When Evil Lurks, symbolizing both cleansing and destruction. Early on, Pedro burns his clothes as a means of purification, an act that underscores the belief in fire’s ability to ward off contamination.
However, by the climax, this same fire becomes an instrument of loss and devastation. Pedro, forced to burn his son, watches as fire transforms from a source of hope to a grim necessity, emphasizing the story’s bleak outlook.
The Influence of Fear
Fear plays a powerful role throughout the film, acting as both fuel and a tool for the demon’s strength. Instead of being just a reaction to horror, fear intensifies the evil force, giving it more control. The more the characters succumb to panic and dread, the stronger the malevolent entity becomes.
This chilling portrayal suggests that fear weakens human resistance, making them easy prey for dark forces.
