Eternal Evil

Eternal Evil, also known as The Blue Man, is a 1985 Canadian horror film starring Winston Rekert, Karen Black, and John Novak. Directed by George Mihalka and written by Robert Geoffrion, the film features a unique blend of supernatural themes, traditional thrills, and thought-provoking narrative, diving deeply into the terrors of astral projection and out-of-body experience in the realms of darkness.

The story revolves around Paul Sharpe (Winston Rekert) who is a successful television commercial director with a seemingly ideal life. However, his high-pressure, stress-filled professional life starts to push him towards the fringes of emotional and mental exhaustion. Searching for solace, Paul becomes drawn to the teachings of Janus (John Novak), a mysterious man who professes knowledge about the intriguing phenomenon of astral projection, or the ability to separate the spirit from the physical body to explore different realms.

It seems that Paul finds his way out of his relentless professional life when his training with Janus enables him to divorce his spirit from his body and wander intangibly through the world. Paul's excursions initially appear innocuous, even potentially therapeutic, as he explores the skills of astral travel to his advantage, bringing a level of excitement and freedom to his otherwise overburdened life.

His new-found power, however, soon develops a chilling repercussion. Paul finds himself tangled in a web of murder and unexplainable occurrences; several people around him end up dead, and the circumstances point towards the horrifying idea that his disembodied spirit could be the one committing these inexplicable crimes, leaving him utterly helpless and terrified.

At the same time, his bizarre, haunting dreams start haunting his waking hours, painting an eerie picture that he is unable to decipher. These complexities deepen as his wife, Janine (Patty Talbot), begins to suspect her husband's increasingly erratic behavior.

Karen Black stars as the detective, Eliane, who becomes involved when she is tasked with investigating the strange series of deaths that keep occurring around Paul. Elusive clues and mysterious circumstances make it difficult for her to crack the case. With the body count rising and Paul appearing increasingly guilty, Eliane is caught in a desperate pursuit of the truth while contending with the possibility of the paranormal.

Eternal Evil unravels an engrossing narrative that prominently features the exploration of astral projection, turning it into a theme of horror. The film also brilliantly conveys an undercurrent of suspense and fear through its visual execution and tense performances. The storyline is engaging enough to keep the audience wondering what might happen next, as the line between illusion and reality blurs.

George Mihalka's direction takes a lesser-known horror concept and builds around it a narrative that creates a genuinely creepy and suspenseful atmosphere. Winston Rekert delivers a convincing performance as a conflicted character who struggles to grapple with the reality of his strange, unwelcome abilities. His transformation from a desolate man to a horrified victim adds another level of thrill to the plot.

John Novak, as the astral projection guru Janus, does justice to his role, portraying an enigmatic personality that instigates a chilling turn of events in the film. Karen Black shines as the determined detective, caught between truth and bizarre mysteries, her seasoned performance adds an extra layer of intrigue to this eerie narrative.

In conclusion, Eternal Evil is a unique ride through a horror narrative that combines elements of the supernatural with a suspenseful murder mystery. A chilling exploration of astral projection forms the core of the film's story, creating sequences filled with suspense and uncertainty. This film is a must-watch for those scouring for a different kind of horror experience, steering away from the traditional and toward the exploration of existential horrors.