Review of Deadly Blessing (1981) by Blais E — 01 Jan 2011

A surprisingly thoughtful and low-key horror offering from Freddy Krueger's dad, Wes Craven, high on characterization and disturbing visuals, but low on the gore quota. A young widow (The beautiful Maren Jensen from TV's original "Battlestar Galactica") struggles to get along with her dead husband's family and community, an intolerant Amish-like sect called the Hittites (Led by a menacing Ernest Borgnine-) who not only do not accept her but harass her unceasingly.

A couple of her old girflfriends (One being a young Sharon Stone in a very early film appearance-) come to stay with her to keep her company and become the targets of the strange and increasingly frightening events themselves.

Soon, several of the characters turn up dead---who or WHAT is responsible? A spooky, and rarely-seen little terror-gem replete with memorably-eerie set-pieces (The fat, juicy spider-dropping-into-Sharon Stone's-mouth-scene is unforgettable-), attractive scenery and lush cinematography, and superb acting, especially by Lois Nettleton in a great, going-totally bonkers role.

An interesting departure from Craven's usual fare.