Tonight, let us roam that realm between this world and others that may lie just beyond our sight...where powerful, fearsome beings await one opportunity to reach past that veil and seize us for their own...
The early eighties film "The Entity", featuring the stunning Barbara Hershey in a remarkable and bold role, filled the gap between "The Exorcist" and "The Amityville Horror", even though it came after both of those films. It shows us a terror filled tale of a woman, not possessed, but terrorized by the titular "entity".
Now before you plug this in with gramma or the kiddies, know that this particular brand of "terrorizing" is NOT something for Sunday afternoon whilst you have tea with the deacons...the acts, while not gory, are terrifying and very violating, as the "whatever it is" fondles, molests, and actually rapes our leading lady. This isn't an erotic or pleasing thing to behold...indeed, it's one of the most harrowing and difficult things to watch even still, and it's comparitively tame by modern standards. Hershey's performance is excellent, her terror and violation so sincere, that you can't help but feel for her. The "can play creepy or sincere with equal zest" Ron Silverman is aptly cast as the skeptical yet caring psychiatrist that tries to find a rational explantion for what is happening to our heroine.
The film is quite effective early on, as the entity makes itself known and it's attacks are the most brutal and unexpected. As the film wears on, it shows it's age with some now laughable early 80's "Space Invaders" special effects, but these are forgivable, and indeed offset by the remarkable way they made Hershey's body appear to have invisible hands grasping it...those particular scenes were both physically and psychologically very frightening, and hat's off to the late great Stan Winston for his contribution.
Although the ending is a bit over-the-top, the film is worth seeing for the genuine dread that we as the audience can palpably feel as Hershey is stalked and hunted, prey within her own home, and feel the helplessness SHE feels, unable to protect her children from the unseen menace...or herself.
This is purported to be based on true events; as is my practice, I'll avoid such debate; I'm giving an opinion on a film, after all...and if you're a fan of genuinely creepy, terrifying moments of the demonic nature, I think you'll enjoy this one.
We meet again, children!
