DAMNED IF YOU DO

A week before the 100th anniversary of a Massachusetts town’s founding, demons emerge.

Urban legend has it that Ruin’s End founder Ryeland Jones made a deal with a demon to establish the town. Deal Day, the eve of the town’s anniversary, is said to be a time when one person’s wish is granted. Skeptic Cordelia Scott does not buy it. That is, until Fred Williams, a demon masquerading as her cheesy high school guidance counselor, confirms that not only is Deal Day real, but Cordelia actually made a bargain with Fred when she banished her abusive father seven years ago. As the stage manager for Our Demon Town, a musical about the town’s founding, Cordelia is heading into a grueling tech week when Fred tasks her with a seemingly impossible mission that will require her to literally face her inner demons of guilt and self-hate and very real monsters—like an aswang from Filipino folktales. She is helped by many, including best friend and love interest Veronica, and also turns to her Catholic church for support. Fans of black comedy will enjoy the quirky plot, preposterous premise of a demon trapped in a Precious Moments Maleficent figurine, and scenes of gory violence sprinkled with sardonic commentary. However, the story is let down by confusing plot gaps and repetition that impedes deeper character development. Cordelia and Veronica are Filipina; most other characters are cued White.

In need of refinement.