The Curse

Actor David Keith makes his directorial debut with this dark sci-fi horror film that tips its hat to Lovecraft, but never quite manages to even approach the unspeakable terror that characterizes the legendary author’s poetic storytelling, nor does it even fully flesh out the social themes outlined here and there (the father’s embittered Puritanism as the cause of the suffering and repression afflicting the rest of his extended family).

After a promising start that leans on tried-and-true classics (“The Blob“, “The War of the Worlds“, etc.), the story quickly begins to stumble, and for nearly an hour we’re left in a sort of narrative dead zone where nothing much happens. An explosive ending finally rouses the film from its slumber, although it’s too little, too late.

As a side note, kudos for some “grubby” special effects go to a certain “Louis Fulci”… who’s none other than legendary director Lucio Fulci (after all, who else could possibly dream up having maggots explode from a swollen pustule on the side of a cow?).

The crafty Ovidio G. Assonitis serves as producer.