Second viewing; previously viewed between 1983 and 1986
An American diplomat adopts an infant after his own son dies (allegedly) at childbirth. But strange occurrences keep happening which lead him to suspect the adoptee is an evil creature.
This is a mechanical horror movie which is very well filmed. It lacks internal logic as to the modus operandi of the evil forces at play: alternately, supernatural psychological action (the nanny), strictly natural physical action (Mrs. Thorn) and supernatural physical action (Jennings the photographer). Most horror movies tap into deep human fears, and this is no exception (fear of adoption and fear of nannies are two that come to mind). Its use of apocalyptic mythology, however, is clearly detached from the mainstream one; nowadays (and perhaps even at the time of the film) that book is associated with the New World Order, Globalism, totalitarianism, etc. We see nothing of that in the movie. Also, it has a certain naiveté regarding how the world works. For example, why would the Antichrist choose a diplomat as a means of making a fortune, instead of a business magnate or a stock market billionaire? Also, style is favored over common sense: why doesn't the main character buy a gun to protect himself? I guess that's because it would take it out of the horror domain and into a Death Wish-type action film. Of course a gun does play its part in it, eventually.
Rating: 38 (up from 29)
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