The Initiation of Sarah

The Initiation of Sarah (1978) is a captivating horror flick that weaves together the compelling adolescent themes of sisterhood, rivalries, and witchcraft. The film stars Kay Lenz, Shelley Winters, and Tony Bill, and is directed by Robert Day. This made-for-television movie, first premiered on ABC, is known for its thrilling plot which serves as an exploration into the supernatural while shedding light on the sorority subculture.

The story revolves around the protagonist, Sarah, adeptly played by Kay Lenz. Sarah is a timid and introverted young woman, who, along with her outgoing and more attractive sister, Patty, heads off to college. The sisters are complete polar opposites: Patty is gregarious, sociable and well-liked, whereas Sarah is introverted, ostracized, and often relegated to the background.

Both Sarah and Patty decide to join a sorority, however, the dynamics take a complicated turn when Sarah becomes the target of the sorority's disdain due to her reserved nature and supposed lack of beauty. She is subjected to hazing and humiliation, setting the stage for the emergence of her latent supernatural powers that she wasn't aware of earlier. Shelley Winters, playing the role of the housemother, Mrs. Hunter, becomes a pivotal character in bringing about a chilling twist as she notices Sarah's extraordinary gifts.

Concurrently, parallels are drawn between Sarah's tribulations and those of Mrs. Hunter - both outsiders to the sorority's cruel, hierarchical structure. Winters delivers a sinister and compelling performance, while Bill - as a supportive college professor - plays his part with merit, standing in stark contrast to the controlling and manipulative Winters.

The Initiation of Sarah doesn’t opt for over-the-top gore or relentless scares; instead, it goes for a more psychological, understated approach. The film explores themes of sibling rivalry, conformity pressure in an unforgiving social environment, the pain of rejection, and misuse of power. These are all brought to a head in Sarah’s initiation ritual, a climatic moment that brings about the chilling denouement of the narrative. This intriguing mix of psychological exploration, supernatural suspense, and college drama makes this film a timeless classic of its kind.

An element that separates The Initiation of Sarah from other horror movies of the era is its consistent lean towards psychological horror rather than graphic violence or gore. The sense of horror is more insidious, lurking behind the facade of what is deemed as normal in the utterly ambitious world of the sorority. In this, the film explores the ruthlessness of the college social setting, the terror of isolation, and how desperation can drive one to unexpected extremities.

Furthermore, Sarah's character becomes an embodiment of everyone who ever felt ignored, undervalued, and misunderstood. The character arc of Sarah, as she enables her supernatural abilities to fight the cruelties of her sorority, makes for an intriguing watch. The journey of this marginalized teen turning into a strong, empowered woman while battling the social and supernatural pressures is the unique vantage point that makes this film both chilling and thought-provoking.

As with many good horror films, the production and direction play a vital role and Robert Day ensures no lag in this regard. The movie's atmosphere is eerie, and the sense of dread is omnipresent but never overwhelming. The spectators are placed right beside Sarah, experiencing her fright, desperation, and eventual defiance in real-time. The performances by the ensemble cast, especially Kay Lenz and Shelley Winters, contribute significantly to the film's intense, chilling ambience.

In conclusion, The Initiation of Sarah (1978) is a sterling example of how to transmute typical teen drama elements into a disturbing, suspenseful, psychological horror film. It intelligently mixes elements of supernatural horror with the social horror of the college environment. Exploiting the premise of sororities and sisterhood to deliver a chilling narrative that sticks to the viewer's psyche even after the movie ends, The Initiation of Sarah offers an entertaining yet emotionally resonant cinematic experience.