SummaryA man staying at a secluded historical mansion finds himself being haunted by the presence of a spectre.
Directed By:Peter Medak
Written By:Russell Hunter, William Gray, Diana Maddox
The Changeling
Metascore
Generally Favorable
70
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
89% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
11% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
83
An underrated entry in the horror subgenre, generating consistent unease through long, ominous pans—up and down staircases, through hallways—that assume the perspective of its searching-for-peace specter.
80
The word for The Changeling is chilling. Medak doesn't pummel the audience with gore and Exorcist-type shock tactics. More than once, he raises real goose bumps using nothing more extraordinary than a bouncing rubber ball. [31 Mar 1980, p.82]
User score
Generally Favorable
74% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
24% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
3% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Apr 17, 2020
10
Al Final de la Escalera (1980) Sinopsis: Después de la muerte de su familia, un compositor se muda a Seattle para comenzar una nueva vida, pero descubre que años atrás se cometió un crimen en su casa y el fantasma de un niño asesinado clama justicia. Opinión: Me atreveré a confirmar sin discusión que esta es una de las mejores películas de terror que he visto en toda mi vida, a simple vista es sobre una casa encantada, pero eso es apenas la punta del cuchillo, la historia está tan bien hecha y tan perfectamente planteada y desarrollada que te atrapa y no te suelta hasta los créditos finales, la atmósfera y clima son de primer nivel y las actuaciones son buenas y totalmente creíbles, la banda sonora también hace bien su trabajo, en pocas palabras, el guión es impecable, es escalofriante, misteriosa, indagadora y atrapante, cualquier otro elogio no sería suficiente para calificar la calidad de esta magnífica obra maestra. Películas como El Conjuro, Horror en Amityville, entre otras similares miran desde muy abajo, ya que sin ningún tipo de Jump Scare esta película sabe dar miedo contando una sólida historia y buenos recursos narrativos. Valoración: 5 de 5
Sep 1, 2024
8
The horror genre, as far as old, abandoned houses are concerned, this film addresses it as best as possible without imitating what has already been seen before, allowing the viewer to be on tenterhooks, and it does it well, which is what matters.
75
One of the most genuinely haunting ghost stories in recent years, The Changeling is much eerier and more effective than the overrated and bombastic Poltergeist.
75
The Changeling is a breathless, enjoyably scary amusement-park ride through an aged genre that comes back more often than Frank Sinatra; and that appears to be as pleased with itself, and as well-preserved. [28 Mar 1980]
75
Scott lends credibility to the far-fetched happenings, and director Peter Medak manipulates the standard scare tactics with skill. [07 Mar 1980]
63
It doesn't have that sneaky sense of awful things about to happen. Scott makes the hero so rational, normal and self-possessed that we never feel he's in real danger; we go through this movie with too much confidence.
40
The leaps made by Scott's agile mind in identifying both victim and usurper leave logic and credence on the starting block.
May 9, 2025
7
Peter Medak's The Changeling from 1980 is, of course, a very old horror film, and its overall setting isn't comparable to today's films. But it's a very good horror film in the tradition of The Omen or The Exorcist. The threat unfolds gradually, and the uncanny element gains increasing prominence. The film is therefore coherent and exciting for the most part. Unfortunately, the ending falls a bit short, as one gets the impression that every conceivable horror mechanism has been thrown into the mix for the sake of drama, resulting in a somewhat overly charged finale. Less would have been more.
Nov 10, 2022
7
Superior mystery horror chooses to focus on the subtle spiritual creepiness/mischievousness and door slams over the more overt gore fest happenings of other ghostly films in this over saturated genre. The cast and cinematography are superb. The limited visual effects show their age here in 2022 but it was compelling to watch from start to end.
Feb 16, 2022
6
It looks like an old film. It has the style and colouring and picture damage that you would expect from a film of this age. It's not a problem; it's a function of time. Sadly though it sounds a bit tinny. It was a good score and the sound effects were good along with the dialogue but the overall sound was lacking definition. It was an interesting story that was brooding and full of ghosts. Well there were no actual ghosts but you can imagine. That is what was so great about these kinds of films - you had to use your imagination. Although this doesn't really apply to modern movies. It makes you scared and interested but a touch bored when you work out where the scene is going.
Production Company:
- Chessman Park Productions
Release Date:Mar 28, 1980
Duration:1 h 47 m
Rating:R
Tagline:...an experience beyond total fear.
Awards
Genie Awards
• 9 Wins & 11 Nominations
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 3 Nominations
Fantafestival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
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