Written by Megan Williams
Let this be a lesson: if you ever want to summon a demon, make sure it’s for a good reason and that you understand the full undergoing of said deal. That’s what Rob (John Gholson – Zero Charisma, Make Popular Movies) doesn’t seem to realise when he summons a demon for the sole purpose of killing a woman that showed no interest in him in ‘Terms & Conditions’.
Based on an online short story, John Gholson plays an incel who, at first, seems confident in the actions he’s about to take. He’s already drawn up a pentagram that’s on the floor, has just received the summoning words and he’s indecisive about what to wear for a moment. But, once the demon Astaroth appears (Newcomer Lana Dandachli), his confidence turns to disbelief and a realisation that the words were no joke.
Gholson plays the arrogant and self-centred character perfectly; from the moment Rob tells Astaroth his deal, he’s unlikeable. Anyone who has met an incel would recognise this behaviour where, if they don’t get something they think they deserve, they get angry and impatient which is evident here. He’s so desperate to see the woman that rejected him dead that he’s eager to rush into the deal, only to find out he has to do it on a mobile app.
Then Rob’s patience is really tested when creating login details that seem to have varying rules. This could be seen as commentary on how everything in modern life has to require an app, to the point where even the underworld has adapted to this to accommodate the living world. And that could be the case if it wasn’t for Astaroth’s reactions to him making the login details.
Astaroth’s entrance sums them up beautifully: they’ve been summoned just as they were about to go to the bathroom and were interrupted. There’s an evident annoyance at Rob’s existence and interruption, that stays for the next 8 minutes. They walk round Rob like a predator to prey and, when they hear what the deal is, their manner changes to a near disgust; they also see him as inferior even if they’re supposed to be unbiased towards the deals that are made.
The change in attitude is also evident later when Rob tries to create a password and Astaroth is having fun adding more rules with each failed password attempt (‘Anyone can guess that/oh, you’re supposed to include a capital letter’). This is to the point where they’re full-on laughing at his misery when the extremely long terms & conditions form is revealed at the end. Anyone who has had to read the terms & conditions of any computer or console will relate to the frustration of going through never ending forms but can be thankful that they’ll never have to read through years of it like Rob has to. Lana Dandachli is really enjoyable to watch as Astaroth; she’s having fun and that’s evident in her performance.
As previously mentioned, this is an adaptation of a short story called ‘The Devil’s Code’ by Frank M. Taylor and it’s a very accurate one. Because the story is a simple concept, it makes for a seamless transition between text to screen, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the story’s dialogue had been copied straight into the script. The only aspect I wish the short had included was the story’s ending, which resembled a punchline to a long-winded joke. However, the sudden end in the film also works in implying Rob is going to be reading the terms & conditions for a very long time.
The short film is given free reign when it comes to Astaroth’s design, since the story only describes the demon as a ‘shadowy figure’. And they look amazing; the make-up effects are my favourite part of this short because it mixes various stereotypical demon designs together: Astaroth has horns, purple skin, unnatural eyes and the mannerisms of Crowley from ‘Good Omens’. Altogether this makes for a visually interesting appearance.
‘Terms & Conditions’ is not only a great adaptation, but an enjoyable watch. The ending not only feels relatable with the long-winded form, but it’s satisfying to see Rob suffer in this way. Plus, the two actors are perfect in their roles, making this an altogether brilliant short film.
The original story ‘The Devil’s Code’ is here: https://stories.frankmtaylor.com/the-devils-code/
