The Incubus
Incubus
1982 · Canada · 93 min
- Director
- John Hough
- Screenplay
- George Franklin
- Producer
- Stephen J. Friedman
- Music
- Stanley Myers
What the critics say
17 % Rotten Tomatoes positive reviewsCast
What it is about
In a small Wisconsin town, a series of rapes and murders blamed on a mysterious figure shakes the community. Dr. Sam Cordell treats the victims while Sheriff Hank Walden leads the investigation. Teenager Tim Galen, tormented by recurring nightmares, begins to suspect they are linked to the crimes.
How it was made
Sandor Stern wrote the original screenplay, adapted from Ray Russell's novel, but star John Cassavetes rewrote much of it during shooting, which is why the credit went to the pseudonym George Franklin. Principal photography took place near Toronto in autumn 1980 on a budget of CA$5.1 million, financed through a Canadian tax shelter.
Reception and legacy
Most critics reviewed it unfavorably, citing its plot and overt violence as weaknesses. Even so, it earned about $5.6 million at the US box office. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called it a supernatural horror film about rape that, in his view, seemed to relish the very thing it condemned.
Stills
Trivia
Clips on screen
A sequence set in a movie theater includes archival clips from Biceps of Steel, featuring the British hard rock band Samson.
Secrecy agreement
The actors and the rest of the cast signed a secrecy agreement barring them from discussing the film.
Makeup effects
Colin Chilvers designed the film's special makeup effects.
More films by John Hough
Escape to Witch Mountain
Twins of Evil
Brass Target
Return from Witch Mountain
Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry
Howling IV: The Original NightmareOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.