Film, watched on March 30, 2026

Director: Herk Harvey

Rating: ★★★★½

Thoughts: I was first introduced to the movie through this out of context Youtube clip. The visuals and the song stuck with me all this time, so I gave it a go. Most sources label the movie as a “psychological horror”, but I would place a giant emphasis on the psychological part over horror. The movie differed from what I imagined because of this. It's less like a Hitchcock movie, more like a slightly supernatural and downbeat slice of life (complimentary)

The film's protagonist is a woman named Mary Henry, who mysteriously survives a car crash. She then moves and tries to start over in a new city, but is haunted by visions of a ghoulish man. While this might seem like a standard horror movie setup, the movie is focused on Mary as an actual character instead of her simply being a stock horror movie protagonist. She's someone who lacks the ability and interest to fit in with others, and the audience spends a lot of time watching the mundane and not-so-mundane interactions she has with other people (and not-quite-people...).

The film's technical aspects are all well done, from the cinematography to the soundtrack. The organ background music felt like a second lead given how often it appeared and helped convey the haunting atmosphere. However, Mary's character and portrayal by Candace Hilligoss are the true heart of the film imo and why I liked it a lot. Hilligoss' depiction of Mary's ennui came off as very authentic, and she really sold how this character is an outsider no matter how conventionally attractive and normal she seemed to be outwardly. Despite its age and the many films released since, I think the movie is unique in how it conveys the push and pull that introversion/depression causes, where people want to connect with others deep down but are unable to. The movie was earnest in its depiction of these ideas, and I know I'll still be thinking about it for days to come.

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