The Changeling
-Lessons in not exploring
sealed attic rooms-
By Molly
There was a time in horror movies not that long ago when special effects and fountains of blood were far less relied upon than they seem to
be today; atmospheric surroundings and character driven plot lines were the real hook that left your mind reeling and your heart pumping
and this is where The Changeling shines. A true classic of the supernatural genre in every sense of the word, The Changeling set the rules
and laid the ground work, creating a formula for almost every haunted house film to follow in it's wake. If you're a fan of this style of movie
and watch a lot of them, but are new to The Changeling, it runs the risk of seemingly employing every ghostly cliché in the book. But don't
be fooled, The Changeling, while certainly not the first ghost story, helped to bridge the gap between original classics like House on
Haunted Hill and more modern terrors like ... well the remake of House on Haunted Hill! Don't quote me on that one though because unlike
that debacle of a film The Changeling is actually quite good and helped to perfect the art of the modern jump scare. Ranking high on most
horror movie lists as one of the greats the film was a true pioneer in the field of the modern day ghost story.
What sets The Changeling apart from many of it's copy cats is it's ability to utilize not only the classic jump scare tactics that the genre is so
famous for but also a well crafted unraveling of clues as to the identity of our ghost and the circumstances surrounding the death. Part
murder mystery, part haunted house thriller, The Changeling manages to follow a very basic formula and still keep you guessing and
interested in the fate of all the characters. This is especially true of the main protagonist John Russell (brilliantly played by the always
amazing George C. Scott). From the first sixty seconds of the film we are instantly invested in John's life and are swept away with him on a
fantastic journey of grief, confusion, anger and terror.
The premise is a familiar one – man with a tragic past moves into long abandoned house with an equally tragic and mysterious past and
strange things happen, as strange things are often want to do. The joy is in the performances of the actors and the execution of the
strangeness which is both exceedingly creepy and intelligent. It is difficult to review what makes The Changeling so great without giving
away any of the surprises or jump scares it has in store for you, but if you're a fan of beginnings, there is no better one than the birth of a
classic genre.
-Lessons in not exploring
sealed attic rooms-
By Molly
There was a time in horror movies not that long ago when special effects and fountains of blood were far less relied upon than they seem to
be today; atmospheric surroundings and character driven plot lines were the real hook that left your mind reeling and your heart pumping
and this is where The Changeling shines. A true classic of the supernatural genre in every sense of the word, The Changeling set the rules
and laid the ground work, creating a formula for almost every haunted house film to follow in it's wake. If you're a fan of this style of movie
and watch a lot of them, but are new to The Changeling, it runs the risk of seemingly employing every ghostly cliché in the book. But don't
be fooled, The Changeling, while certainly not the first ghost story, helped to bridge the gap between original classics like House on
Haunted Hill and more modern terrors like ... well the remake of House on Haunted Hill! Don't quote me on that one though because unlike
that debacle of a film The Changeling is actually quite good and helped to perfect the art of the modern jump scare. Ranking high on most
horror movie lists as one of the greats the film was a true pioneer in the field of the modern day ghost story.
What sets The Changeling apart from many of it's copy cats is it's ability to utilize not only the classic jump scare tactics that the genre is so
famous for but also a well crafted unraveling of clues as to the identity of our ghost and the circumstances surrounding the death. Part
murder mystery, part haunted house thriller, The Changeling manages to follow a very basic formula and still keep you guessing and
interested in the fate of all the characters. This is especially true of the main protagonist John Russell (brilliantly played by the always
amazing George C. Scott). From the first sixty seconds of the film we are instantly invested in John's life and are swept away with him on a
fantastic journey of grief, confusion, anger and terror.
The premise is a familiar one – man with a tragic past moves into long abandoned house with an equally tragic and mysterious past and
strange things happen, as strange things are often want to do. The joy is in the performances of the actors and the execution of the
strangeness which is both exceedingly creepy and intelligent. It is difficult to review what makes The Changeling so great without giving
away any of the surprises or jump scares it has in store for you, but if you're a fan of beginnings, there is no better one than the birth of a
classic genre.
| Reviews Want to know what we think? Here is a collection of reviewed films by DRR's staff and guest., organized by date reviewed. Have a lot to say about your favorite or least favorite horror film. Lets us hear from you. |
| Dark Road Ratings is independently owned and operated by Horror movie fans. Please direct all error reports, dead links, legal and advertising questions to TheGatekeeper@Darkroadratings.com |
The Dead Next Door - Fun with blood and
zombie props
July 2007
Imprint - Asian torture fans rejoice Takashi does
it again!
October 2007
AVP - From hate to dislike
June 26th
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The DJ's Extreme Thoughts
30 Days Of Night - Vampires who eat your head!
March 2008
30 Days Of Night - Vampires who eat your head!
March 2008
The Changeling - Birth of the modern haunted house
story
December 2009
Slither - Slipin' and sliding into your heart...or brain
January 2008
Let The Right One In - Not your average suckfest!
May 2009
Repo! The Genetic Opera- Bring on the strange and
fabulous!
The Company of Wolfs
Jaws - It's a classic you son of a bitch!
April 2008
Alone With Her - Voyeur Extraordinaire
March 2007
The Omen 666 - Too cute to be the son of the Devil!
April 2008
First Snow - A thinking mans Final Destination?
June 2008
Evil Aliens - from ditzy porn star into a machete
packin’ mamma
May 2008
Trick or Treat - More trick than treat.
August 2008.
Sweeney Todd - Bloody Awful
October 2008
Sunshine - Dany Boyle, a dying sun?
Wind Chill
Sue - July 11th 2008
Planet Terror
Miss Undead - May 19th 2009
Day of the Dead (2008)
Miss Undead - May 31st 2009
Matt's Humble Opinion
Miss Roger's Words
Guest Reviews
Reviews below are listed by reviewer and
date and will link you directly to the DRR film
page. The full review can be found at the
bottom of each page.
date and will link you directly to the DRR film
page. The full review can be found at the
bottom of each page.
Yeah, wheelchairs scare the shit out of me too!
 |
