Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Donald Pleasence | ... | Priest | |
Jameson Parker | ... | Brian Marsh | |
Victor Wong | ... | Prof. Howard Birack | |
Lisa Blount | ... | Catherine Danforth | |
Dennis Dun | ... | Walter | |
Susan Blanchard | ... | Kelly | |
Anne Marie Howard | ... | Susan Cabot (as Anne Howard) | |
Ann Yen | ... | Lisa | |
Ken Wright | ... | Lomax | |
Dirk Blocker | ... | Mullins | |
Jessie Lawrence Ferguson | ... | Calder | |
Peter Jason | ... | Dr. Paul Leahy | |
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Robert Grasmere | ... | Frank Wyndham |
Thom Bray | ... | Etchinson | |
Joanna Merlin | ... | Bag Lady |
A sinister secret has been kept in the basement of an abandoned Los Angeles church for many years. With the death of a priest belonging to a mysterious sect, another priest opens the door to the basement and discovers a vat containing a green liquid. The priest contacts a group of physics graduate students to investigate it. Unfortunately, they discover that the liquid contains the essence of Satan himself, and they also discover that he will release HIS father - an all-powerful Anti-God! The liquid later comes to life itself, turning some of the students into zombies as the Devil comes forward to release his father. Will these students be able to stop him? Written by Derek O'Cain
I know more than one person who watched this film, claimed immediately after that it wasn't very scary and then called me a few hours later telling me that they were freaked out.
Highlight: For me, the best concept in the film is the video-feed dream sequence. Oh man! It's creepy and exceedingly ominous and the shaky-cam newsreel quality gives it an extra punch.
The plot: You don't have to be a genius to understand what is going on in this film, but you do need to pay attention. The supernatural physics is a little nonsensical, of the "Popular science" variety, but the basic premise is explained in layman terms.
The characters: Actually, while the "science" is hocus-pocus, I really liked that the film's characters were mostly grad students. The actors do a great job of portraying annoyed, skeptical science grad students. Horror flicks are filled with numbskull undergrads, and it is nice to see the hidden sector of college life revealed in its nerdy glory.
The skinny: I'd describe it as a Biblical/Lovecraft horror film. It's got the whole "evil universe" theme running alongside an effective "Hell breaks loose" plot.