Review of Carnival of Souls (1962) by Josh M — 16 Aug 2013

While not as strong as the film it would inspire, Night of the Living Dead, Carnival of Souls still holds an eerie sway over the audience, pulling them into the tortured mind of the young woman who is trying to run away and yet fit in.

There is a great merger of surrealism and horror through out, forming a sort of Twilight Zone for a mature audience. I think the moment that sticks out the most to me is the clever tell at the beginning of the film that (spoilers) lets you know that she is dead.

After the scene at the bridge the young woman is seen playing an organ, while men stand above her on a balcony looking down. The scene in the organ factory mirrors the bridge, and in fact acts as a bridge between the land of the living, and the sort of limbo that the woman finds herself in.

A great scene in a movie that keeps you on edge.