Unhinged (1982)

To me, this movie is perfection.

the audience applauded

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This movie seems to be most known for being apart of the 'Video Nasties' list during the 1980's. Its about three girls who end up crashing their car on the way to a concert, and end up in a huge mansion with a creepy woman, and her elderly wheelchair bound mother. The acting isn't the best, but what do you expect from an 80s slasher film right? And it can be kind of slow in parts, but on the plus side, the murders are well done, (especially for such a low budget movie), the music is eery, and the ending is quite shocking! I'd definitely recommend it to slasher fans to check out.The only thing that puzzles me, is why it made it onto the video nasties list in the first place. While there's a decent amount of blood for the killings, there was much bloodier movies out there, and with that said, I can see why some people don't like this movie, and felt let down, by what this movie suggests. Still though, if your an 80s horror/slasher fan, pop this one in, and give it a try. Its not the best out there, but its decent, and surprisingly creepy, which a lot of 80s slashers lack. You could do a lot worse!

'Unhinged' is one of those movies I would suggest a slasher addict to keep close to himself. This is a rare and underrated gem that can surpass most of the slasher tragedies made today. 'Unhinged' is a serious movie and it's surprising that IMDb has only 2 credits listed for the director Don Gronquist. It's really amazing to think that such a good director couldn't make it big in the tinsel town. Anyways, this movie isn't really ahead of its time, but has those moments that would keep you to the edge of your seats until it reaches the climax. The climax is more chilling and grotesque than you could have ever imagined. Like a typical 80s flick, 'Unhinged' revolves around 3 teenage girls, who on an unfortunate day fall pray to a vicious household in the woods. 'Unhinged' isn't entirely a backwoods slasher, but follows similar set-ups from time to time. I might have been 4 years old when this movie was released, and I somehow feel good to think that I was born during horror boom.Terry (Laurel Munson), Nancy (Sara Ansley) and Gloria (Barbara Lusch), 3 college friends are on their way to a music concert, when they are caught amidst heavy downpour. The girl somehow loses control on the wheel and the car crashes down the road. They survive and awake in a house, where they are tended by a homely and seemingly compassionate belle Marion (Jannet Penner). Marion is Mrs. Penrose' daughter and remains heavily and conventionally dressed most of the time. Mrs. Penrose (Virginia Settle) is not very good to Marion and keeps being profane with her. Marion seems submissive and caring to her invalid mother. Mrs. Penrose tells the girls of her male abjection at the dinner. She won't allow any men go around in her house. Marion tells the girls that once her mother caught her father molesting a young girl and had since been a victim of hatred. Obviously Mrs. Penrose' marriage failed and she separated from her husband. Gloria, one of the 3 girls is somewhat injured and is recuperating at the Penrose mansion. Terry notices strange sounds emanating from upstairs, which she claims to be the sound of a man 'doing himself'. Before things could be cleared, Nancy is brutally murdered by an unseen killer, who hacks her down with a large scythe in the woods. Her death remains a mystery to the other girls. After few days, a resting Gloria is murdered mercilessly on her bed. Terry is dubious about Penrose family, but doesn't have anything to allege. Terry would soon know the mystery of Penrose family and the hapless victims.'Unhinged' has no more than 3 murders to show on screen, but they entirely reflect the swift and cold-blooded nature of a serial killer. The murders are graphic and disturbing. 'Unhinged' has a great set-up but seems to be short of budget. The backwoods pinch adds value to the plot and atmosphere. I personally prefer atmospheric horror than gory ones. First of all, this film uses vibrant colors and desolate locations to ratify the presence of an evil entity lurking around and in the woods. The background score is wayward, and creates tension when plays. The mansion (Pittock mansion) is fairly eerie and looks like a devil's shelter in the vast expanse of unforgiving woods. 'Unhinged' is a genuine slasher that gives us a chance to look into the hidden personality of a killer which may pop out just like a bolt from the blue at any point of time. 'Unhinged', by all means would prove to be a nice asset for a horror buff, who is after classic horror. The only similarity it holds with other slashers is the bad acting by teenagers, but that's nothing new for a slasher flick. Jannet Penner has simply bore the whole burden on herself and propels this boat sail at a considerably nice pace. She alone has superimposed most of the other actors. So if you are into serious horror, logical climax, creepy and discomforting atmosphere and dementia for the sake of dementia, give 'Unhinged' a try.

Twist endings can be really cool in a movie. It's especially interesting when the twist is right in front of our eyes, but we just don't pay attention. Those type of twist endings are the one's that make people think. Then we've got twists like this film has. Twists that, whether or not you pay attention, you have no clue what's going to happen. When they reveal this kind of random twist, instead of shock, it's somewhat a dumbfounded reaction. This film starts off like it's going to be an interesting take on horror, but after about 20 minutes, it's nothing but boring dialogue and a stupid twist.Three young women are going to a concert, so they get lost traveling through the woods, and hit a tree trunk. They end up at some old creepy lady's house, who hates men, and they are greeted by her homely daughter Marion (Laurel Munson). Strange goings on happen as these girls stay at this house for several days instead of trying to leave or get home, and the suspense progresses into a dumb slasher.This film is too caught up in it's dialogue, and it's always between only a few characters. We have the main three girls, the creepy spinster and the old lady, and conversation of any importance does not go beyond these five. To make matters worse, they never have anything interesting to say. It's actually quite maddening sitting through their conversations. We want to know what's going on, and instead they just talk and talk and talk (about nothing).Plot holes are abundant here. The house these girls stay at when they get in their car accident is apparently three miles from anywhere...wow, three miles! A two hour or less walk will kill them. Why didn't they get a ride with the worker for this household who was driving into town? Did he have a one seater? How come these girls never question leaving and just willingly stay, rarely even checking up on each other? Why did this have to have so many dumb twists? Maybe the answers are in the boring script.Having a slasher film with five characters is really a bad idea. It's not thrilling, it's not scary, and the ending is definitely out there, but undoubtedly dumb.My rating: * 1/2 out of ****. 79 mins. R for nudity and violence.

This video nasty slasher film directed by Don Gronquist, was banned in Britain for 20 years because of violence and nudity.It may have been nasty in 1984, but it is certainly tame by today's standards. That doesn't mean it is not worth watching, but it certainly does not stand up next to today's slasher films.First, I have to be careful and cannot fully review it as it would spoil it for anyone wanting to see it.I can say that the two shower scenes were nice, but nothing special.I can also say that there were three slasher scenes, but only the last one was special.It is worth the time, but it is certainly not anything excessive.