Targets

The 1968 film Targets is a remarkable combination of psychological thriller and drama directed by Peter Bogdanovich, who also co-wrote the film. In Targets, cinema legend Boris Karloff portrays an aging horror film star named Byron Orlock, delivering a captivating performance indicative of Karloff's classic Hollywood roots. Tim O'Kelly gives a chilling performance as Bobby Thompson, a character who is seemingly ordinary but possesses a deeply disturbing side. Nancy Hsueh also adds depth to the film with her pivotal role as Thompson's wife.

Bogdanovich's dual narrative approach intertwines the fortunes of two very different men, providing an engaging, multidimensional viewing experience that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The film ingeniously melds two narratives: one track focusing on the story of an aging horror film star looking to retire, and the other tracing the slow descent into murderous madness of a clean-cut, all-American young man.

Boris Karloff is as compelling as ever in his poignant performance as Byron Orlock (a role which bears strong autobiographical undertones), a solitary figure contending with the ruthless passage of time. Orlock has lost faith in his ability to scare the audience and grapples with the diminishing relevance of his brand of horror as the genre evolves.

However, the quiet horror of Orlock's personal crisis is dwarfed by the unfolding terror spun by Bobby Thompson's story. Based loosely on real-life highway sniper Charles Whitman, Thompson's character unveils the unsettling notion of violent derangement lurking beneath the surface of the ordinary suburban life.

Struggles with alienation, disenchantment, and reality encircle both Thompson and Orlock, manifesting in different forms. While Orlock wrestles with his fading relevance in a fast-changing industry, Thompson spirals down a dark path of psychosis, highlighting the catastrophic crumbling of his perspective on reality. Society's changing perception of surreal horror, symbolized by Orlock's character, and the real-life horror materializing through Thompson's narrative, form a unique dichotomy, outlining the transformation of societal fears.

Moreover, Targets is as much a study of the human psyche as it is of suspense and apprehension. It depicts how each character grapples with their individual fears, and by doing so, the film forces the audience to reconcile with their notion of fear, too. The movie delves into the darkness that resides within ordinary individuals and the society that surrounds them, thus creating a tangible, chilling atmosphere that is more unsettling than any fictional monster.

Boris Karloff's exceptional meta-narrative performance gives the movie a gravitas that is beautifully balanced by Hsueh's portrayal of a victim trapped in a nightmare. However, it's Tim O'Kelly's chilling rendition of the clean-cut all-American rifleman Bobby Thompson that provides the sharp counterpoint which makes Targets a compelling watch. His brilliant acting manifests Thompson’s tormenting journey from a wholesome family man to a murderous sniper.

Bogdanovich's direction expertly explores modernity's onset and its profound effect on the everyday. Targets portrays the emerging dread of gun violence, the impact of traditional horror losing its appeal, and the bitter inevitability of hanging up one's boots, providing audiences with a nuanced depiction of the turbulent times of the late 60s. Bogdanovich also evokes considerable sympathy for both characters, giving the viewers a fulfilling cinematic experience, evidence of the director's masterful storytelling.

Criticized by some for its stark and brutal portrayal of violence, lauded by many for its imaginative blending of genre elements and cultural examination, Targets is indeed a pivotal film of its era. Its exploration of societal fears and the face of changing horror remains relevant even half a century later.

In conclusion, Targets is a thought-provoking meditation on the ebbing tide of traditional horror films, the rising tide of actual horrors, and the violent intersection of the two. It stands as a testament to the persistent relevance of societal change, the evolution of fears, and the profound impact of the individual's struggle within these contexts. It's a suspenseful, chilling, and deeply stirring movie that leaves a lasting impression, confronting viewers with the question of where real horror originates.