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Demon of Paradise is a 1987 creature feature horror film directed by Cirio H. Santiago, a filmmaker known for contributing to the B-movie and exploitation genres, particularly during the 70s and 80s. Set primarily in a tropical paradise that turns perilous, this film brings together a mix of genre staples with a touch of eco-horror, as it delves into the unintended consequences of human encroachment on nature.

The story unfolds on a serene Hawaiian island, famous for its crystal-clear waters, lush landscapes, and a thriving tourist economy. The island is a paradise for both tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and for locals who call this idyllic setting their home. One of the prime attractions is the lake, around which much of the island’s recreational life revolves – boating, swimming, and fishing attract visitors from all over the world, contributing to the island’s livelihood.

Amid this backdrop, Kathryn Witt stars as a determined biologist named Annie, whose life is intimately connected to the island's natural resources. She is passionate about the flora and fauna of the locale, especially the delicate ecosystem of the lake. Annie senses that all is not well in this tropical paradise as the local wildlife begins exhibiting strange behaviors, and unexplained incidents occur in and around the lake's placid waters.

William Steis steps into the role of Keefer, a brash businessman with commercial interests on the island. To him, the lake’s potential for profit margin is far more important than any potential ecological concern. While Annie sees the lake as a natural wonder that must be preserved, Keefer views it as a commodity ripe for exploitation, focusing on further developing the area to attract more tourists.

Laura Banks plays the part of a spirited yet enigmatic woman named Allison, whose connection to the ongoing events brings an additional layer to the narrative. She holds her cards close to her chest, offering up another perspective on the unfolding ecological drama and the mysterious occurrences around the lake.

When a series of violent events starts to terrorize the local population, panic begins to spread. The once tranquil paradise is shattered by a series of gruesome discoveries that hint at an unknown and deadly menace lurking beneath the surface of the lake. This prompts Annie to investigate further, leading her down a path that intertwines science and survival. Alongside local law enforcement and the skeptical yet intrigued Keefer, she tries to uncover the truth behind the disruptions.

What emerges is a tale of environmental disruption and revenge. The island’s ecosystem has been thrown out of balance by activities such as illegal dynamite fishing, which has had a profound and grotesque effect on the wildlife. Something has been awakened from the depths of the lake’s darkest recesses – a prehistoric and monstrous entity that is as terrifying as it is mysterious.

The film dips into themes of conservationism and the consequences of environmental degradation. It suggests that the paradise humans so highly prize can quickly become a dangerous hell if respect for the natural world is not maintained. The creature in "Demon of Paradise" is not only a source of suspense and terror but also a symbol of nature's wrath and its capacity to fight back against human recklessness.

As the situation escalates, the film amps up the stakes with gripping suspense and action sequences. The lead characters, each for their own reasons, must face the deadly threat head-on. The creature elicits a fear of the unknown, and as the hunt to stop it intensifies, the true cost of paradise lost becomes achingly apparent.

Demon of Paradise, while not particularly groundbreaking in the canon of monster movies, holds its place as a cultural artifact from the era that has produced a slew of similar movies, mixing horror elements with a message about the environment. The interplay of characters with varying motivations adds depth to what might otherwise be a simple monster thriller. The setting offers a luscious visual experience that contrasts starkly with the dark and treacherous waters where the terror emerges.

Overall, with a blend of horror, action, and a touch of social commentary, Demon of Paradise provides a pulpy, low-budget escape into a world where natural beauty and monstrous horror collide, leaving audiences to ponder the delicate balance between humanity and the earth we inhabit.

Demon of Paradise is a 1987 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8.