Review of The Changeling (1980) by Alex R — 24 Nov 2010
Not since The Haunting which was released in 1963 has a haunted house movie felt superior, and genuinely creepy. Not even The Amityville Horror is this good. The film is creepy, and horrifying as a boy's spirit haunts an old mansion occupied by George C.
Scott. A terrific atmosphere of creepiness and horror envelopes this film and is a work terrifying genius. It's a tense, thrilling film, and throughout the film the story unfolds little by little as you keep wondering what will happen next.
The Changeling is an accomplished film in the hands of director Peter Medak and ends up being an excellent supernatural horror thriller. Unlike The Amityville Horror, The Changeling feel real, it doesn't feel fake.
While Amityville Horror was scary, it lacked something to make it truly an astounding film. Whatever it was, The Changeling possess all the traits of a good haunted house film that Amityville was lacking.
The Changeling is one of the best horror films of it's kind and George C Scott gives his best performance since Patton and Dr. Strangelove. The is a real nail bitter, and will definitely freak you out.
No film has surpassed The Changeling in pure terror since it's release, and if you have the chance in seeing this film, you should definitely watch it. This is a unique gem from the early 80's.
One of the best aspects of the film is that it doesn't rely on cheap jump scares or gory elements (like the standard horror films did at that time), instead the film relies more on suspense and the overall pacing of the plot to suck you in and create the terror.
A true horror masterpiece.
This review of The Changeling (1980) was written by Alex R on 24 Nov 2010.
The Changeling has generally received positive reviews.
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