Samuel Love88 Films’ Slasher Classics Collection has been, at least in terms of the quality of the films themselves, something of a mixed bag. Although each entry has been lovingly presented and is certainly of interest to horror junkies in one way or another, some of them have come in on the naff end of schlock – indeed, the collection is described as a “selection of the rarest, greatest and cheesiest 80’s and 90’s slasher films”. The Incubus is something a little different to the usual fare. That’s not to say it’s perfect – far from it – but it’s not often you get a horror-mystery film about a demonic rapist with a script largely rewritten during production by the legendary John Cassavettes.
Based on the novel of the same name by Ray Russell, The Incubus is a slasher in premise – a killer is on the loose – but often not in delivery. While there are grisly kills and sequences of young women being stalked by the psychotic, demonic killer, the bulk of the film is more of a medical/police procedural as surgeon Sam (Cassavettes) teams up with a small town sheriff (John Ireland) to unravel the mystery behind a series of unusual, potentially otherworldly rapes and murders. Complicating matters is Sam’s daughter (Erin Noble), and her relationship with a troubled young man (Duncan McIntosh) who could hold the key to solving the mystery.
The Incubus is surprisingly compelling – at a brief 92 minutes, the film moves at a breakneck pace as the mystery deepens and victims pile up. Cassavettes is great in the lead, with a performance that wouldn’t be out of place in one of his highly-regarded directorial efforts. He’s one of those actors that just brings an immeasurable level of quality to any role, and indeed any film. The script is tight, too, with some great dialogue you can tell Cassavettes had a hand in. Supporting performances are generally solid also – Kerrie Keane is great as a mysterious, nosy reporter.
The film looks and feels dirty and grindhouse at times, with a rough filmic quality – despite a largely undamaged print being utilised in this great transfer from 88 Films, the film sometimes looks like shit in the best possible way. There’s some sequences that feel pulled straight out of 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre in their dirty, grainy quality – that iconic film’s influence is never more felt than in a glimpse of its’ legendary poster in a sequence set in a cinema.
The Incubus has avoided ‘horror classic’ status for this long, and I don’t think that will change any time soon. It’s competently made and full of striking sequences, but comes from a packed era for the genre where films like this were ten-a-penny. Perhaps it does little to stand out from the pack. Still, it’s certainly ripe for rediscovery. This is a compelling, disturbing flick with a great central performance from Cassavettes, solid direction from John Hough, and a thrilling, twisty plot. 88 Films have done right by the film with a cracking transfer and a fascinating audio commentary. Recommended.
THE INCUBUS is available now on Blu-ray as #55 in 88 Films’ Slasher Classics Collection
