When I first saw this movie, it was an "TBS afternoon movie," which usually means "the bad movie in a package of other movies." The characters are semi-interesting, and the problem seems to be under control...then "bad things start happening." As the neck tumor grows, it becomes a race against time to figure out what it is. Eventually, the main character discovers that this is a Demonic Possession in progress, and the trail leads to a Native American medicine man. Things look bad, since the possessed subject usually dies when the Demon arrives, but this one has been subjected to X-Rays. Complete suspension of disbelief is required once The Final Battle takes place with "OK for TV"-level SFX. I find myself hunting for it when "there's nothing good playing on cable TV." (Which has become way too often these days.) Besides, modern TV directors "paint it Black" and I'm left staring at nothing but a dark screen, while hearing stunts performed at "Jackie Chan in Hong Kong" levels. Let's put it this way, "The Forest" (2016) was less interesting than "The Manitou."
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Reply by Philippe LeMarchand
on July 12, 2019 at 6:33 AM
I used to devour author Graham Masterton's books, and was thrilled at the time to hear of a film. When I actually managed to track the film down, it was something of a disappointment. Masterton seems to be one of those authors (at least in his horror novels) who has great ideas that he totally sells on the page, but might not work so well on screen. Especially with the sort of budget this film had!
That said his "Hell Candidate" (horror/thriller, originally as Thomas Luke) and "Ikon" (conspiracy thriller) seem eerily prescient these days...