Seconds

🎃👻🐈‍⬛🪦🕷️Back for the third year, I am watching 13 horror movies in October that I Should Have Already Watched as a movie fan. This is #9 of 13. I now source these movies from my Letterboxd friends, who, admittedly are more fans of the genre that I am. I will rank them, based solely on my enjoyment and terror experienced levels🕷️🪦🐈‍⬛👻🎃 At some point in everyone's life, the thought of starting over, the thought of walking away from your current situations, stresses, and obligations, the chance to do it all over again pops into your head. It's unavoidable. Writers David Ely and Lewis John Carlino, director John Frankenheimer, and Rock Hudson in what I think is his best dramatic role, take us down that road--it's not all wine and roses. I almost expected Rod Serling to step into frame at the beginning and give us the setup. The film reminded me of a high quality, extended Twilight Zone--one of really good ones. I mean that fully as a compliment. Aside from the story, there are many other factors that give this film is haunting feel. The editing and use of unusual camera angles add to the discomfort. The choice of black and white added to the atmosphere of the film. And the acting and delivery of lines from the supporting cast seemed just a bit off, I think on purpose. Most of the characters, after all, knew what was happening although our main character Tony( and we, the viewers) were just figuring it out. Seconds is a very good psychological horror film. I am very glad that I watched it. It is a good film to watch any time of the year. It definitely does not fall into the genre of what I would call Halloween movies, so it is slightly misplaced in my list of Halloween movies. **** I wanted to throw out a few thoughts about the pivotal scene in this film. If you have not seen the film and plan to, maybe skip this **** I think the most important and significant scene in the film was the grape stomping scene. The scene literally takes the expression "days of wine and roses" and manifests it. Jerry has a chance to go back to his youth--the carefree times, the days of wine and roses...but he does not feel comfortable. He feels like a Second, an observer, not a participant, and definitely not one who is feeling the moment. With the scene, I believe that the writers are implying that you can't really go back--at least most can not--you are who you are inside. You don't really get a Second chance. Check out this year' list of October 2025 -- 13 horror Films that I Should Have Already Watched or check out my list of 13 from 2024October 2024 – 13 Horror Movies I Should Have Already Watched List or check or the list of 13 for 2023: October 2023 – 13 Horror Movies I Should Have Already Watched (Ranked)