The Tingler
The Tingler

The Tingler

1959Movie82 minEnglish

A pathologist experiments with a deaf-mute woman who is unable to scream to prove that humans die of fright due to an organism he names The Tingler that lives within each person on the spinal cord and is suppressed only when people scream when scared.

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Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Google Users76%
Director: William CastleGenres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery

Plot Summary

A pathologist discovers that the Tingler, a parasitic creature that feeds on the fear of human beings, is responsible for the deaths of people who are deathly afraid of something. He decides to hunt down and destroy the creature. The creature is also responsible for the fear experienced by a woman who is deathly afraid of the dark. The pathologist also tries to help her overcome her fear.

Critical Reception

The Tingler is a cult classic horror film, often cited for its campy charm and innovative "percepto" gimmick. While not a critical darling upon release, it has gained a dedicated following over the years for its unique premise and Vincent Price's iconic performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • A fun, schlocky horror film with a memorable premise.
  • Vincent Price delivers a classic performance that elevates the material.
  • The "percepto" gimmick, while dated, adds to the film's unique charm.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoy 'The Tingler' for its B-movie thrills and Vincent Price's charismatic presence. Many appreciate the film's unique approach to horror and its nostalgic value, though some find the special effects and plot to be dated.

Fun Fact

The film is famous for its "Percepto" gimmick, where specially wired seats in select theaters delivered mild electric shocks to the audience during specific moments of the film.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
dennyjt

dennyjt

William Castle was a master showman and this was his grandest triumph. He loved a gimmick, in this case Percepto, a device fitted beneath theater seats to enhance the climactic scenes by giving the patrons a short, sharp shock! Vincent Pric...