Verdict
Summary
An anything-goes, no-rules haunted house / possession flick, Cathy’s Curse is a hoot for fans of the genre, and it’s so ingrained in the ’70s aesthetic that you can’t help but fall in love with its goofiness. Severin’s 4K Ultra HD disc is stellar.
Plot:
A man moves his family into his childhood home where there is a history of tragedy and trauma.
Review:
George (Alan Scarfe) moves his wife Vivian (Beverly Murray with the most startling eyes on a woman I’ve ever seen, aside from Meg Foster) and daughter Cathy (one-time only actress Randi Allen) into his childhood home after having been absent for at least 25 years. George’s older sister died a horrible death in a car accident near the house when he was just four years old, but he’s inherited the place and now he intends to settle in after all these years. His wife Vivian recently had a nervous breakdown, and she’s a borderline paranoid schizophrenic with tendencies of acting out and alarming everyone around her with her delusions, and when the vengeful, unsettled spirit of Cathy’s aunt possesses young Cathy, the household starts to resemble a spook house with supernatural manifestations of creepy crawlies like snakes, rats, and tarantulas (leeches too!), and Cathy exhibits bizarre and startling abilities like telekinesis as well as full-on demonic sounding voices and forcing the nanny to commit suicide. Things only get worse when Cathy almost drowns in the pond outside, and other kids in the area are on the receiving end of the girl’s cruel sense of fun. Cathy’s curse will either be the end of her family … or the beginning of a new era of terror!
An anything-goes, no-rules haunted house / possession flick, Cathy’s Curse is a hoot for fans of the genre, and it’s so ingrained in the ’70s aesthetic that you can’t help but fall in love with its goofiness. It plays everything straight, and you’re bound to laugh a few times like I did at its unintentionally funny bits, but the movie has a weird creep factor that is very genuine indeed. The score is good, and Allen’s committed and raw performance is admirable. It might not be a “classic” as well known as some other similar films of the era, but it’s a good one, and it’ll fit the bill if your mood is right for it.
Severin will be reissuing Cathy’s Curse on 4K UHD / Blu-ray later this May, and while there are several options to choose from (like one that comes with a nifty slipcase), the no-slipcase edition is perfectly suitable. The special features include an audio commentary by Fangoria contributor Brian Collins and screenwriter Simon Barrett, trailers, interviews, and a fun booklet by both Collins and Barrett. The image quality is stunning and should be appreciated by hardcopy media collectors and enthusiasts. Severin wins again!
Special Features
- Audio Commentary By Fangoria Contributor Brian Collins And Filmmaker Simon Barrett (U.S. Cut Only)
- Tricks And Treats – Interview With Director Eddy Matalon
- Cathy’s Daddy – Alan Scarfe Remembers CATHY’S CURSE
- Cathy & Mum – Interview With Actress Randi Allen And Costume Designer Joyce Allen
- Introduction To Cinematic Void/American Cinematheque Screening By Brian Collins
- Theatrical Trailers
- Booklet By Simon Barrett And Brian Collins
