Movie spotlight
Intensive Care
When Denis Midgley's father is rushed to hospital, Midgley drops everything to be by his side. They've never really got on, so Midgley wants to be sure he's there if his father ever regains consciousness. As he hates his job as a schoolteacher, and his home-life with his wife, her senile mother and their insolent teenage son, he has no qualms about lingering around the hospital. But as days turn into weeks, his father obstinately refuses to 'slip away', and Denis' motivation for staying by his father's bedside has more and more to do with Valery, a young nurse.
Insights
Plot Summary
A former patient, driven by a desire for revenge and warped by a near-death experience, meticulously plans to exact vengeance on the doctor he believes ruined his life. Using his newfound, almost supernatural abilities, he infiltrates the doctor's life, playing a dangerous game of psychological manipulation and escalating terror. The film delves into themes of retribution, sanity, and the blurred lines between reality and hallucination as the protagonist's twisted plan unfolds.
Critical Reception
Intensive Care (1982) received a largely negative reception from critics and audiences, struggling to find a significant following due to its perceived lack of originality and subpar execution. It is often considered a forgettable entry in the early 1980s horror genre, failing to capitalize on its premise.
What Reviewers Say
The film suffers from a predictable plot and uninspired direction.
Performances are generally weak, failing to elevate the material.
Lacks the scares or tension expected from a horror-thriller.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for 'Intensive Care (1982)' is not readily available, but general audience sentiment suggests it was a poorly received film.
Fun Fact
The film's director, Victor Halperin, is also known for directing the cult classic horror film 'Carnival of Souls' (1962).
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