“oh dear lord… i am…. a monster!”
*
*
(hooptober 5/35)
incredibly progressive movie for the time in which it was released. it takes such a simple concept and makes it utterly terrifying. this is home invasion of an entirely different kind and YET not at all. olivia de havilland as mrs. hilyard is such an excellent actress, even if i did find her character SUPER unbearable at the beginning of the film. i also didn’t get that malcolm was her son until we were explicitly told so, which made for a pretty uncomfortable realization because it gives such heavy incestuous vibes even though nothing is outright said. it’s just really weird tbh. jennifer billingsley and rafael campos are excellent in their roles as the villainous youths elaine and essie, but james caan steals the show as a completely vile and reprehensible randall. he plays the role so menacingly well, and he makes it easy for us to hate his character. so many of his lines and mannerisms likely inspired future films, especially his line to george about why he has to kill him. the stockings and masks that our teenage criminals use are also REALLY terrifying, and i think it’s because the movie is in black and white. excellent psychological horror that was decades ahead of it’s time.
“oh dear lord… i am…. a monster!”
*
*
(hooptober 5/35)
incredibly progressive movie for the time in which it was released. it takes such a simple concept and makes it utterly terrifying. this is home invasion of an entirely different kind and YET not at all. olivia de havilland as mrs. hilyard is such an excellent actress, even if i did find her character SUPER unbearable at the beginning of the film. i also didn’t get that malcolm was her son until we were explicitly told so, which made for a pretty uncomfortable realization because it gives such heavy incestuous vibes even though nothing is outright said. it’s just really weird tbh. jennifer billingsley and rafael campos are excellent in their roles as the villainous youths elaine and essie, but james caan steals the show as a completely vile and reprehensible randall. he plays the role so menacingly well, and he makes it easy for us to hate his character. so many of his lines and mannerisms likely inspired future films, especially his line to george about why he has to kill him. the stockings and masks that our teenage criminals use are also REALLY terrifying, and i think it’s because the movie is in black and white. excellent psychological horror that was decades ahead of it’s time.
