The Nine Demons (1984)

UK DVD cover
UK DVD cover

Starring Ricky Cheng Tien-Chi, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Lee Kim-Sang, Chang Fu-Chien and Wang Quen, directed by Chang Cheh for Chang He Film Company.

Thai poster
Thai poster

Joey (Tien-Chi) does a deal with the Black Prince of Hell, allowing nine demons into his body in exchange for the chance to save his friend Gary and avenge himself against those behind the violent takeover of family estates. Gaining a fancy caped costume, Joey uses the demons, who take the form of either nine small skulls or eight acrobatic kids & a woman, to destroy all his enemies, which include various uncles and cousins conspiring against him.

The rather flamboyant Black Prince of Hell
The rather flamboyant Black Prince of Hell
One of the demons is an attractive she-vamp!
One of the demons is an attractive she-vamp!
Those skulls hanging around his neck are the demons
Those skulls hanging around his neck are the demons

Unfortunately for Joey, these nine demons must drink human blood every day, so he becomes a compromised character, seeking righteous revenge but also needing victims to feed his demons.

Sometimes, to appease the skull-demons, Joey allows them to feed on himself
Sometimes, to appease the skull-demons, Joey allows them to feed on himself
When the skulls feed on victims, red veins rapidly appear
When the skulls feed on victims, red veins rapidly appear

The many studio sets help give the production a Shaw Brothers vibe. The movie is sometimes garishly-lit with reds and greens, and its bizarre ingredients include floating, smoking (obviously plastic) skulls zipping about the place and smiling demon-kids, all dressed in traditional Thai-style garb, chowing down on people’s throats.

The demon kids
The demon kids
The adult female demon
The adult female demon

Additionally, this crazy fantasy-horror-actioner culminates in an unconventional battle between Joey and warriors wearing mini water skis. These guys nimbly scoot around the surface of a shallow pool, until Joey uses his powers to freeze the water, prompting his opponents to use long lengths of bamboo to create a framework above the ice, allowing the fight to continue, with Joey letting loose his demons once again and his adversaries brandishing flaming torch weapons against him. Ultimately, the power of Buddhism prevails, Joey rids himself of the demons and promptly explodes, freeing his spirit to be reincarnated.

Warriors on mini water skis!
Warriors on mini water skis!
Lots of fighting and jumping!
Lots of fighting and jumping!

Bloody weird!

These demons look nice, but they're not!
These demons look nice, but they’re not!
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