The Entity

The Entity is a chilling horror film released in 1982 directed by Sidney J. Furie, based on an alleged real-life story of woman's torment by an unseen spiritual entity that Frank De Felitta wrote in his novel of the same name in 1978. This supernatural thriller stars Barbara Hershey, Ron Silver, and David Labiosa. The fusion of supernatural horror elements with social narratives and psychological drama makes this movie an exceptional and evocative cinematic experience, lingering in viewers' minds for a while.

Barbara Hershey delivers an unforgettable performance as Carla Moran. Moran, a single mother living in Los Angeles, goes from being an everyday woman grappling with the challenges of raising three children alone, to a terrified victim of harrowing supernatural attacks. Hershey's performance gracefully blends strength and vulnerability, making it easy for viewers to empathize with Carla's growing fear and desperation. As the apparent attacks escalate, Carla courageously decides not only to confront her faceless tormentor but also to understand its nature and purpose.

Enter Dr. Phil Sneiderman, a character expertly portrayed by Ron Silver. Dr. Phil is a psychiatrist, offering a clinical and rational explanation of her experiences. He hypothesizes that Carla's experiences, far from being supernatural, are psychological phenomena stemming from her traumatic past. Silver's portrayal of the well-meaning yet skeptical Dr. Phil opens up a discourse on the very real chasm between physicalism and metaphysics, scientism, spiritualism, and the essence of human understanding.

David Labiosa plays Carla's teenage son, Billy, whose character adds another layer of conflict. He struggles with his inability to protect his mother amid the inexplicable and horrifying events, generating a strong undercurrent of palpable tension and desperation.

While the primary plot is nerve-wracking, the secondary plot provides a respite as it explores the scientific side of the story. A group of parapsychologists comes into play, offering an alternative explanation that points to the paranormal nature of her experiences. They believe Carla's adversary to be a poltergeist and assert that they can document and prove its existence. This sets up an intriguing conflict, not just between Carla and her unseen tormentor, but also between the perspectives of the psychiatrist and the parapsychologists.

The Entity exploits its horror premise to scare yet captivate its audience, utilizing both the unseen and the unsaid to develop a deeply unsettling atmosphere. The film's unsettling theme is emphasized by Charles Bernstein's haunting musical score, which amplifies the fear factor and adds to the palpable tension. Its unforgettable audio effects, coupled with eerie cinematography, imposes a sense of dread, making the audience gripped to their seats.

Simultaneously, some themes the film delves into, like victim-blaming, disbelief of victims, mental health, and gaslighting, are addressed with sensitivity and serve to anchor the supernatural elements in a solid social context. These themes resonate long after the film's running time, adding an unexpected depth to the horror movie genre.

Despite being a movie from the early 80's, The Entity hasn't lost its ability to terrify and provoke thoughts in its viewers. On one side, it's a classic supernatural horror film complete with chilling moments of terror. On the other, it tells an emotional story of trauma, resilience, and the effects of supernatural phenomena on an individual's psychology. It stands as a testament to the horrors of the unseen, the unexplained, and the unknown, and successfully immerses the audience into the world of the supernaturally grotesque and psychologically disturbing. Moreover, the compelling performances by the actors and the engaging cinematic elements ensure it remains a must-watch movie for horror genre enthusiasts.