10 Forgotten 80s Horror Movies You MUST Watch
6. The Changeling
Haunted horror movies are easy to find in American horror, and while this is not quite the case in the Canadian side of things, this section of world cinema has one of the best entries in the sub-genre in the form of The Changeling. Directed by Peter Medak and inspired by events that writer Russell Hunter claimed to experience in the 60s, this 1980 feature is a technically competent, well acted affair with a somber yet chilling tone to boot.
After experiencing great tragedy, famed composer John Russell (George C. Scott) moves from New York to Seattle where he rents a long-vacant mansion. Not long after occupying the structure, Russell begins to experience supernatural events tied to the death of a six year old boy named Joseph Carmichael (Voldi Way) from nearly 7 decades prior to the story's events.
This ghost story is capably anchored by Medak's direction and Scott's performance, who gives Russell an intriguing blend of somberness and desperation as he attempts to uncover the mystery behind Carmichael's gruesome demise.
The sound design is also competently executed, immersing viewers into the haunting soundscape plaguing Russell and actors Melvyn Douglas and Trish Van Devere round out the feature's strengths, effortlessly stepping into their supporting roles as historian Claire Norman, and devious senator/unwitting imposter Joseph Carmichael.