Phobia
Phobia

Movie spotlight

Phobia

1980
Movie
91 min
English

A psychiatrist involved in a radical new therapy comes under suspicion when his patients are murdered, each according to their individual phobias.

Insights

IMDb5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes30%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users60%
Director: John HustonGenres: Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

In this anthology horror film, a psychologist attempts to cure his patients' phobias through hypnosis, but the sessions take a terrifying turn. As he delves deeper into their minds, he uncovers disturbing truths and horrifying manifestations of their deepest fears. The film presents several distinct tales of terror, each exploring a different phobia with chilling and often graphic results.

Critical Reception

Phobia received mixed to negative reviews upon its release, with many critics finding its attempts at psychological horror to be uneven and derivative. While some appreciated the ambition of its anthology format and the performances of its cast, the film was often criticized for its pacing, gore, and predictable twists. Audiences were similarly divided, with some enjoying the schlocky horror elements and others finding it lacking in genuine scares.

What Reviewers Say

  • Lacks genuine scares and relies too heavily on shock value.

  • The anthology structure leads to an inconsistent and often tedious viewing experience.

  • Despite a talented cast, the film fails to deliver a cohesive or compelling horror narrative.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a mixed reception, with some viewers appreciating the dark themes and anthology format, while others found the film to be dated, lacking in creativity, and ultimately disappointing.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be a television series before being reworked into a feature film.

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