Watch horror Movies for free with Amazon Prime

Strait-Jacket

1964
7
Director: 
William Castle

SYNOPSIS: 

Lucy is released from the psychiatric clinic where she was locked up for having chopped up her husband and his lover with an axe. Waiting for her in her brother's house is her daughter Carol, who, at the time, was a child.

REVIEW: 

The film we are talking about is based on a story by the writer Robert Bloch, author of the famous horror masterpiece Psycho, a name that immediately evokes shivers and uneasiness. This film, however, is not supported by a particularly complex plot or by special effects that lift the skin, but rather by the extraordinary talent of the leading actress, Joan Crawford. In one of her last performances, Crawford stands as a central and dominant figure, a colossus of emotions that manages to convey to the viewer every single thrill, every anguish, every delirium that pervades her tormented spirit. She is, in fact, the true protagonist of the film, with her face marked by time and experience, wrinkles that tell of a life lived between light and shadow, and tense, almost twisted expressions that reflect her slow, inexorable giving in to fear.

The actress, after the triumph of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, a film that had given her back her lost fame, found herself once again playing a disturbing character, marked by madness and torment. With a mastery that only a career rich in experiences like hers could forge, Crawford literally steals the scene. Every beat of her heart, every jolt of tension on her skin seems to be perceptible to the viewer, who cannot help but follow her descent into an abyss of terror and paranoia. Her performance develops in a crescendo of oppressive anguish, where the sense of claustrophobia and anxiety is transmitted without any reserve, pushing the viewer to feel the weight of that suffering on their own skin.

Although the film was initially classified as a B-series film, with all the prejudices that this definition entails, over the years it has gained a new light. Rediscovered, especially by fans of 1960s horror cinema, it has become a cult title, which has managed to emerge from the shadows of its own era, rediscovering its value thanks to Crawford's extraordinary interpretation. A film that, although belonging to a category of films often overlooked, has managed to earn the respect and adulation of those who appreciate the art of psychological tension and the power of human drama brought to the big screen.

SIMILAR MOVIES REVIEWS

OTHER MOVIES REVIEWS

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

1971

The Abominable Dr. Phibes, directed by Robert Fuest, is a jewel of British horror cinema that combines gothic, grotesque and black humor in a fascinating and macabre mix. Played by a charismatic Vincent Price, the film tells the story of the eccentric and brilliant Dr. Anton Phibes' revenge against the doctors he believes are responsible for his wife's death. The plot develops as a series of murders inspired by the plagues of Egypt, an idea as ingenious as it is disturbing, which gives life to visually surprising sequences. The baroque aesthetic, with rich sets and... Read More

Deep red

1975

Dario Argento, with Deep Red, creates one of the cornerstones of the Italian giallo, a film that mixes thriller and horror with a visual and narrative mastery that is still unmatched today. It was March 7, 1975 when it arrived for the first time in Italian cinemas, the film consolidated the director's success and laid the foundations for his unmistakable style, made of saturated colors, bold shots and a tension that grows until the final explosion. One of the most iconic aspects of the film is undoubtedly the soundtrack by Goblin, a mix of progressive rock and electronic... Read More

Prince of Darkness

1987

John Carpenter is a master at transforming primal fears into unforgettable cinematic experiences, Prince of Darkness is one of his most disturbing and underrated films. With a mix of metaphysical horror, science fiction and paranoia, the director drags us into a nightmare that defies logic and faith, playing with the concept of absolute evil and the fragility of human perception. Carpenter creates a claustrophobic and unhealthy atmosphere, in which the tension grows inexorably. The masterful use of shots and the soundtrack – composed by Carpenter himself – contribute to... Read More

Inferno

1980

Inferno is the second chapter of the famous Three Mothers trilogy by Dario Argento, a work that fits into the esoteric horror genre with a strong visual and symbolic structure. Shot partly in the evocative setting of Rome, the film is configured as an intricate narrative and sensorial labyrinth, capable of surprising the viewer with sudden twists and disturbing atmospheres. However, despite the high technical and stylistic quality, the ending is perhaps the least convincing element of the entire film. The main strength of Inferno lies precisely in Argento's directorial... Read More

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

1988

Killer Klowns from Outer Space it is a film made with little means but with great ingenuity by the Chiodo brothers. A mix of horror, thriller and science fiction that intrigues, disturbs and entertains. Despite being a b-movie, it pays homage to more famous films in fact the killer clowns are very reminiscent of "It" by Stephen King. The plot is simple: an alien spaceship shaped like a circus tent lands in Crescent Cove, from which clowns descend and capture the inhabitants to feed on them. Memorable is the scene in which one of them enchants the crowd with Chinese shadows... Read More