Elite Entertainment has had some rare gems in their DVD lineup: Night of the Living Dead: Millennium Edition, ReAnimator: Millennium Edition, I Spit on Your Grave and Lady in White among them.  I was very excited to check out their newest release, Incubus (not to be confused with the earlier film of the same name staring William Shatner), and was a little disappointed that it didn't stand up with its predecessors.

Galen is a small and peaceful town in New England where nothing much happens and no one seems to mind.  That is until the day that their peace is shattered by a brutal attack.  A pair of young lovers is attacked while enjoying a swim: the boy killed and the girl left clinging to life after her rape leaves her with internal injuries.  The girls doctor, Sam Cordell (John Cassavetes; Rosemary's Baby), begins to investigate her rape with a passion that defies explanation (and logic). 

As the rapes and killings continue, Cordell discovers a link between each murder and the prophetic nightmares of his daughter's boyfriend, Tim Galen (Duncan McIntosh; Deadline).  Think that its coincidence that this boys last name is Galen (the name of the town)?  Didn't think so.  Think that everyone will assume that it is Tim who is the culprit?  Yeah, me too.  And therein lies the problem...too much predictability; not enough twist.

Somewhere along the line we learn that the Galen family is a long line of witch-hunters, that Tim has a bizarre history of his own, that there may well be a demon on the loose and that John Cassacetes greatest acting skill is staring other people down.  There is also an unfounded and very forced romantic link between Dr. Cordell and a big-town journalist who is trying to help the investigation.  Her help is even stranger seeing that...oh never mind, let's suffice it to say that this movie probably made a great book, but didn't survive it's transformation to the screen.

It's not all frustrating though, as there are a few truly masterful scenes of terror.  The first-person stalking of the victims is handled quite well, and this movie has the best "guy-gets-stabbed-through-the-neck-with-a-shovel-

and-then-blows-off-own-foot-with-shotgun" scene of all time!  It is really quite impressive. 

This film has a good deal of blood and an early-eighties supernatural feel like The Omen or Rosemary's Baby, but without the great story telling of either.  If you are not hung up on your horror making sense and don't mind a few moments of "Wha' the hell?", then check this one out for its gory content and disturbing rape scenes.  Otherwise, it's your call, but do check out all the great classics that Elite has to offer!

-aaron-