'Unhinged' is one of those movies I would suggest a slasher addict to keep close to himself. This is a rare and underrated gem that can surpass most of the slasher tragedies made today. 'Unhinged' is a serious movie and it's surprising that IMDb has only 2 credits listed for the director Don Gronquist. It's really amazing to think that such a good director couldn't make it big in the tinsel town. Anyways, this movie isn't really ahead of its time, but has those moments that would keep you to the edge of your seats until it reaches the climax. The climax is more chilling and grotesque than you could have ever imagined. Like a typical 80s flick, 'Unhinged' revolves around 3 teenage girls, who on an unfortunate day fall pray to a vicious household in the woods. 'Unhinged' isn't entirely a backwoods slasher, but follows similar set-ups from time to time. I might have been 4 years old when this movie was released, and I somehow feel good to think that I was born during horror boom.
Terry (Laurel Munson), Nancy (Sara Ansley) and Gloria (Barbara Lusch), 3 college friends are on their way to a music concert, when they are caught amidst heavy downpour. The girl somehow loses control on the wheel and the car crashes down the road. They survive and awake in a house, where they are tended by a homely and seemingly compassionate belle Marion (Jannet Penner). Marion is Mrs. Penrose' daughter and remains heavily and conventionally dressed most of the time. Mrs. Penrose (Virginia Settle) is not very good to Marion and keeps being profane with her. Marion seems submissive and caring to her invalid mother. Mrs. Penrose tells the girls of her male abjection at the dinner. She won't allow any men go around in her house. Marion tells the girls that once her mother caught her father molesting a young girl and had since been a victim of hatred. Obviously Mrs. Penrose' marriage failed and she separated from her husband. Gloria, one of the 3 girls is somewhat injured and is recuperating at the Penrose mansion. Terry notices strange sounds emanating from upstairs, which she claims to be the sound of a man 'doing himself'. Before things could be cleared, Nancy is brutally murdered by an unseen killer, who hacks her down with a large scythe in the woods. Her death remains a mystery to the other girls. After few days, a resting Gloria is murdered mercilessly on her bed. Terry is dubious about Penrose family, but doesn't have anything to allege. Terry would soon know the mystery of Penrose family and the hapless victims.
'Unhinged' has no more than 3 murders to show on screen, but they entirely reflect the swift and cold-blooded nature of a serial killer. The murders are graphic and disturbing. 'Unhinged' has a great set-up but seems to be short of budget. The backwoods pinch adds value to the plot and atmosphere. I personally prefer atmospheric horror than gory ones. First of all, this film uses vibrant colors and desolate locations to ratify the presence of an evil entity lurking around and in the woods. The background score is wayward, and creates tension when plays. The mansion (Pittock mansion) is fairly eerie and looks like a devil's shelter in the vast expanse of unforgiving woods. 'Unhinged' is a genuine slasher that gives us a chance to look into the hidden personality of a killer which may pop out just like a bolt from the blue at any point of time. 'Unhinged', by all means would prove to be a nice asset for a horror buff, who is after classic horror. The only similarity it holds with other slashers is the bad acting by teenagers, but that's nothing new for a slasher flick. Jannet Penner has simply bore the whole burden on herself and propels this boat sail at a considerably nice pace. She alone has superimposed most of the other actors. So if you are into serious horror, logical climax, creepy and discomforting atmosphere and dementia for the sake of dementia, give 'Unhinged' a try.
Terry (Laurel Munson), Nancy (Sara Ansley) and Gloria (Barbara Lusch), 3 college friends are on their way to a music concert, when they are caught amidst heavy downpour. The girl somehow loses control on the wheel and the car crashes down the road. They survive and awake in a house, where they are tended by a homely and seemingly compassionate belle Marion (Jannet Penner). Marion is Mrs. Penrose' daughter and remains heavily and conventionally dressed most of the time. Mrs. Penrose (Virginia Settle) is not very good to Marion and keeps being profane with her. Marion seems submissive and caring to her invalid mother. Mrs. Penrose tells the girls of her male abjection at the dinner. She won't allow any men go around in her house. Marion tells the girls that once her mother caught her father molesting a young girl and had since been a victim of hatred. Obviously Mrs. Penrose' marriage failed and she separated from her husband. Gloria, one of the 3 girls is somewhat injured and is recuperating at the Penrose mansion. Terry notices strange sounds emanating from upstairs, which she claims to be the sound of a man 'doing himself'. Before things could be cleared, Nancy is brutally murdered by an unseen killer, who hacks her down with a large scythe in the woods. Her death remains a mystery to the other girls. After few days, a resting Gloria is murdered mercilessly on her bed. Terry is dubious about Penrose family, but doesn't have anything to allege. Terry would soon know the mystery of Penrose family and the hapless victims.
'Unhinged' has no more than 3 murders to show on screen, but they entirely reflect the swift and cold-blooded nature of a serial killer. The murders are graphic and disturbing. 'Unhinged' has a great set-up but seems to be short of budget. The backwoods pinch adds value to the plot and atmosphere. I personally prefer atmospheric horror than gory ones. First of all, this film uses vibrant colors and desolate locations to ratify the presence of an evil entity lurking around and in the woods. The background score is wayward, and creates tension when plays. The mansion (Pittock mansion) is fairly eerie and looks like a devil's shelter in the vast expanse of unforgiving woods. 'Unhinged' is a genuine slasher that gives us a chance to look into the hidden personality of a killer which may pop out just like a bolt from the blue at any point of time. 'Unhinged', by all means would prove to be a nice asset for a horror buff, who is after classic horror. The only similarity it holds with other slashers is the bad acting by teenagers, but that's nothing new for a slasher flick. Jannet Penner has simply bore the whole burden on herself and propels this boat sail at a considerably nice pace. She alone has superimposed most of the other actors. So if you are into serious horror, logical climax, creepy and discomforting atmosphere and dementia for the sake of dementia, give 'Unhinged' a try.