Directed by Spanish filmmaker Bigas Luna, Anguish is an intelligent, disturbing and overall well-made horror movie that not many people have even heard of. The film opens with this warning: "During the film you are about to see, you will be subject to subliminal messages and mild hypnosis. This will cause you no physical harm or lasting effect, but if for any reason you lose control or feel that your mind is leaving your body - leave the auditorium immediately." Its a schlocky old stunt but it makes sense later. After being introduced to a slew of characters and a serial killer who carves out people's eyes, the film widens out to reveal that we (both the audience at home and a newly shown audience in the film) are in a multiplex watching a movie called The Mommy, a gory exploitation shocker. We're then greeted to an impromptu cinematic version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 as audience members are introduced and they share their thoughts on the murderous mayhem that's taking place on-screen. Anguish ultimately gives you two completely different films for the price one - and the whole thing is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. While there is a killer on the loose in the film-within-a-film, one of the film's patrons who's obsessed with it, begins tallying up a body count as well.
Jesse Gumbarge is editor and chief blogger at JarvisCity.com - He loves old-school horror films and starting pointless debates. You can reach out at: JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com
