“Portal to Hell”

The darkly funny, unexpectedly thoughtful horror-comedy “Portal to Hell” takes a simple, weird premise and turns it into something much deeper than you’d expect. It starts off as a straightforward supernatural thriller about a debt collector facing off with a demon in a laundromat, but quickly evolves into a story about morality, redemption, and what it really means to forgive.

Dunn (Woody Bess) is just trying to get through his day when a demon pops up to collect on a soul-bound debt. The offer is simple: trade three souls to save one. At first, Dunn refuses. But when an unfortunate debtor stumbles in at the wrong time, things spiral fast. What makes the story so interesting is that it isn’t just a surface horror tale about souls as currency, but is one about whether people deserve to be written off for their past mistakes.

The film balances its horror and a wicked sense of humor brilliantly. The dialogue is sharp, the demon is both terrifying and oddly charismatic, and the rules of this underworld operation are cleverly laid out. There are plenty of fun, gory moments (this is a portal to Hell, after all), but there’s also a surprising emotional weight as Dunn wrestles with the bigger question: does redemption come from above, or is it something we have to grant each other (and ourselves)?

While “Portal to Hell” has plenty of horror tropes, it doesn’t feel like your typical demon movie. This one is surprisingly profound with thoughtful writing and a sincere message of forgiveness and acceptance. It’s got style, smarts, and a unique spin on morality.

By: Louisa Moore