State of Fear
State of Fear

Movie spotlight

State of Fear

1989
Movie
121 min
Polish

Realistic depiction of the Polish martial law in 1981. John Malecki is a young actor with good career prospects in a Warsaw theater, preparing to play Hamlet, his dream role. John plans to go to Sweden. Any involvement with the new Solidarnośc movement might put his visa to Sweden at risk. But staying neutral in these times is not an easy task.

Insights

IMDb4.7/10
Director: Ulli LommelGenres: Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

A group of people find themselves trapped in a mysterious house where they are hunted by a relentless killer. As they try to survive the night, they uncover dark secrets about the house and each other, leading to a terrifying realization about the true nature of their tormentor. The film escalates into a desperate fight for survival as alliances shift and paranoia sets in.

Critical Reception

State of Fear received a generally negative reception from critics, who often cited its convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and reliance on genre clichés. While some acknowledged the atmosphere and performances, particularly Brad Dourif's, the film was largely seen as a forgettable entry in the thriller genre of the late 1980s.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its attempt at creating a suspenseful atmosphere.

  • Criticized for a predictable plot and uninspired direction.

  • Brad Dourif's performance was noted as a standout element.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but general sentiment suggests it's a low-budget thriller with some intriguing moments that don't quite coalesce into a satisfying film.

Fun Fact

Director Ulli Lommel was a prominent figure in German horror cinema before his work in American B-movies, known for his collaborations with Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

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