The Asphyx
The Asphyx

The Asphyx

1972
Movie
99 min
English

Hugo is a brilliant turn-of-the-century scientist, loved and respected by his family and friends, admired by his colleagues. But he is a man quickly becoming obsessed with a curious and frightening question... what is the mysterious apparition found in the photographs of his dying subjects?

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: Peter NewbrookGenres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery

Plot Summary

In 1905, a scientist claims to have discovered the 'Asphyx', the spirit or soul that leaves the body at death. He develops a device to capture this essence, believing it can be preserved and even revived. His experiments, however, have horrifying and unintended consequences, blurring the lines between life, death, and the supernatural.

Critical Reception

The Asphyx is a cult horror film with a unique premise that has garnered a niche following over the years. While it was not a critical darling upon its release, its inventive concept and somewhat ambitious execution have led to it being appreciated by fans of esoteric horror and science fiction.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its original and intriguing concept.
  • Criticized for its often slow pacing and dated special effects.
  • Considered a unique entry in the horror genre with a thought-provoking premise.

Google audience: Audience reception is largely based on its cult status, with viewers appreciating its unusual premise and atmospheric dread, though some find its execution lacking.

Fun Fact

The film's unique concept of the 'Asphyx' as a tangible entity representing the soul was an original idea by the director, Peter Newbrook, who was also an accomplished cinematographer.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Sir Hugo" (Robert Stephens) is a much respected scientist in Victorian Britain fascinated by motion pictures. Whilst filming his friends punting on the river; they have a calamitous accident and die. What shows up on his photography afterw...
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Original, intelligent Hammer-esque horror from the early 70s**_ In 1875, a squire in England and his adopted son (Robert Stephens & Robert Powell) find a possible means of acquiring immortality by trapping the spirit of death, aka the...