You are here:

Where Evil Dwells

Name: Where Evil Dwells
Director: Tommy Turner, David Wojnarowicz
Released: 1985
Duration: 28 min

Representation Score

5.9/10

Fair

1985

Director

Tommy Turner, David Wojnarowicz

Runtime

28 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Where Evil Dwells is a transgressive piece of underground cinema that prioritizes social friction over mainstream comfort. Its strength lies in its radical subversion of cultural and religious institutions, using horror to explore alienation and the breakdown of social structures. The film's identity is deeply tied to the creative pedigree of its directors, particularly David Wojnarowicz. This connection suggests an intentional effort to disrupt conventional hierarchies and explore perspectives of those who are sidelined. However, the film's impact is limited by its format. As a 28-minute preview, it lacks the depth to fully demonstrate character-driven diversity, particularly regarding racial intersectionality and specific gender subversions.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Where Evil Dwells have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film connects to the New York underground scene and the work of David Wojnarowicz, suggesting a focus on non-straight identities. It likely challenges assumptions that everyone is straight or cisgender through an experimental lens.

How does Where Evil Dwells portray gender?

Fair

The work may deconstruct traditional gender roles through its avant-garde approach. However, the surviving footage is too limited to confirm if it challenges familiar gender patterns or simply follows them.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Where Evil Dwells?

Fair

The narrative centers on specific Long Island subcultures and social outcasts. There is little evidence to confirm a diverse cast beyond these specific social identities.

How does Where Evil Dwells represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film uses Satanic themes and acid trip aesthetics to critique mainstream morality. It prioritizes the perspective of those outside established social orders.

Does Where Evil Dwells include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no discernible evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the available footage.

Present on Screen

High level of cultural subversion through transgressive themes.
Intentional disruption of mainstream religious and social institutions.
Strong connection to radical, non-normative underground art movements.

Limited or Absent

Limited footage prevents a full assessment of character-driven diversity.
Insufficient evidence regarding racial and ethnic intersectionality.
Unclear whether gender roles are truly challenged or simply follow familiar patterns.

Official Synopsis

Loosely based on an infamous 1984 Long Island murder case involving Satan-worshiping, teenage drug freaks (Knights of the Black Circle), David Wojnarowicz and Tommy Turner’s Where Evil Dwells is a low-budget D.I.Y. movie that walks the jagged lines between splatter flick, experimental film and transgressive art. The original footage was destroyed in a fire and the only footage that survived is this 28 minute preview that was put together for the Downtown New York Film Festival in 1985.

How are these scores produced? →