Les Démons tells the story of Félix, a boy growing up in Montreal in the 1980s, and is based loosely on the childhood of Quebec-based filmmaker Philippe Lesage.
Félix is plagued by an insecurity and self-doubt not abnormal for someone of his age. He worries excessively about all that goes on around him; be it his parents' marriage or, hilariously, the threat of AIDS.
The first half of the movie is packed with all that makes coming-of-age stories endearing - first experiences, youthful naivety and unfamiliar feelings, close relationships with siblings and innocent love affairs.
The movie's charm reaches a climax at about the hour-mark when a distressed Félix is cheered up by his older sister dancing in her bedroom. Unfortunately, that's the last time the audience is treated to a heart-warming moment.
What follows is truly cheerless as the film descends into a series of genuinely distressing events where a murky world of child molestation, murder and suicide become par for the course.
From a reasonably light story about a child finding himself, the film soon turns into a sinister spectacle that leaves the viewer with a renewed awareness of the truly despicable things of the world.
By no means is the film ruined by the sudden tonal shift - if anything, it provides an added element of realism - but the jump from an upbeat, happy-go-lucky viewing experience to something so dark left me feeling uneasy.
Three stars.
This film is playing as part of the 2016 New Zealand International Film Festival.
Les Démons:: Director: Philippe Lesage:: Starring: Edouard Tremblay-Grenier, Pier-Luc Funk, Yannick Gobeil-Dugas, Vassili Schneider, Sarah Mottet, Mathis Thomas, Victoria Diamond, Laurent Lucas :: Rating: M - offensive language, sexual themes and disturbing behaviour:: Running Time: 118 minutes
Reviewed by Matt Burrows/Newshub.