Movie spotlight
Asylum
Five young people in the middle of a boring summer vacation decide to visit an abandoned asylum, closed after more than eight decades of abuse and torture of patients. What begins as an innocent trip turns into a terrible struggle for survival.
Insights
Plot Summary
A psychiatrist, Dr. Martin Brinton, is sent to assess the mental state of Dr. Ivan Lester, a doctor who has been institutionalized at a remote asylum. As Brinton delves into Lester's past, he encounters three unsettling cases that Dr. Lester was involved with, each with a dark and supernatural twist. The lines between reality and madness begin to blur as Brinton finds himself increasingly drawn into the disturbing world of the asylum and its patients.
Critical Reception
Asylum received generally positive reviews, particularly for its atmosphere, performances, and its anthology-style storytelling which appealed to fans of classic horror. While some critics noted its occasional unevenness, it is often regarded as a solid entry in the Amicus horror filmography of the early 1970s.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its gothic atmosphere and the chilling performances of its veteran cast.
The anthology structure provides varied scares and unsettling tales.
Considered a quintessential example of 1970s British horror cinema.
Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's creepy mood and the strong presence of horror icons like Peter Cushing and Herbert Lom. Many appreciate its classic horror storytelling approach.
Fun Fact
The film is based on Robert Bloch's 1963 novel of the same name, and Bloch himself wrote the screenplay.
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