THE INCUBUS (1981)

TOM’S REVIEW:

It is astonishing the effect one man can have on a horror movie. We’ve witnessed the phenomenon before, in any number of Donald Pleasence’s roles. But it is quite the seminal moment when a movie comes along that is by itself a forgettable supernatural feature, but thanks to the addition of one John Cassavetes, the film vaults to the rank of ShockMarathon classic, elbowing out many a deserving film from the coveted Best Picture nomination list.

Cassavetes plays Dr. Sam Cordell, a new-in-town surgeon who recently decided to move his practice to the small town of Galen. Accompanied only by his daughter Jenny, Dr. Sam envisions a quiet, contemplative life in the country, helping the sick, taking care of his girl, and living the good life. However, before he can even begin to settle in to his new station, a series of grisly rapes and murders grips the entire town in a vice of fear. Although officially nothing more than the chief surgeon at the Galen hospital, Dr. Sam quickly takes on multiple roles, advising the criminal investigators on what they should be doing, diverting the efforts of an inquisitive reporter, and doing a bit of sleuthing himself.

Whether these character traits were originally intended to occupy the person of Dr. Sam is up for debate, as I have a strong suspicion that most of what goes on during The Incubus is the doing of Mr. Cassavetes alone. His presence is so full of power, authority, and command that it appears as though even the actors, let alone the characters they portray, are cowering slightly in his presence. Casting the noted director/actor in the role of Dr. Sam was clearly a decision of brilliance, a move which is almost enough to inspire my suggesting a new ShockMarathon Award: Best Casting Director. Perhaps a future ShockMarathon will see a category dedicated to such worthies.

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