Fear (1990 TV Movie) User Reviews

Very intense

[d_bezer · 6/10 · 21 July 2001]

This is a film that has you on the edge of your seat from the first moment. You at times wonder to yourself wait a moment who is good and who is bad here. a very well done guessing game at the same time boo scare you film.

One reason I say it is so well done is because it is a made for t.v. movie and in my opinion not many made for t.v. movies are that well produced. However this is done in great theatre style well worth checking out if you are a horror/thriller genre fan. Ally Sheedy gives a great preformances going away from comedy and into serious here

An enjoyable, if flawed, thriller

[jdollak · 7/10 · 5 April 2012]

I picked up this movie because it was paired with the movie Parents, which is spectacular. I had no particular interest in Fear, but I never turn down a horror movie.

The premise of this movie actually makes it sound much more boring than it is. It's handled pretty well, and I never felt like it was dull.

But the writing ignores some very basic things. Her abilities seem to vary throughout the movie. This isn't too bad, but her description of her powers does not reflect what she actually does.

But the thing that seriously bothered me was how much information she didn't share. She sees the tattoo that the killer has, and she never mentions it. She finds out where the killer is at that moment, and no one bothers to report it to the police? She even saw that a policeman was at that location, and all it would take is a few phone calls.

I don't mind these sorts of things, except that by not addressing them, the movie came across sloppy.

I have to praise the ending though. It would be typical to make it so the killer is someone we've seen periodically throughout the movie, but this one bucks that.

Creepy

[ehoshaw · 21 January 2001]

I liked this movie, and I was freaked out when I caught it on Lifetime the other day. It has a really creepy atmosphere, good plot, and an excellent performance from Ally Sheedy, who plays Cayce. Cayce is a psychic who has helped the police track down kidnappers and serial killers for years. However, she soon faces an even tougher case when she tries to catch a serial killer who himself is a psychic. This has some creepy scenes with eerie blue lighting. Also, the beginning sequence is very creepy (I always feel shudders go down my spine when I hear the murderer humming while we watch the girl squirming in the backseat). I like this movie a lot, and I recommened that you go out and rent it, your video store should carry it.

Feeding off one's fear.

[lost-in-limbo · 7/10 · 27 April 2008]

Since it's fallen into the cracks it's not to be confused with the more popular mid-nineties teen thriller of the same title starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg. Director Rockne. S O'Bannon's 1990 'Fear" is a by-the-numbers, but highly intriguing and low-key psychic / detective thriller with a maturely inspired and gallant lead performance by 80s brat pack star Ally Sheedy. There's no denying it's systematic with its developments, but the escalating psychological tension that's brewing between the two psychics' (the psychotic killer and the renowned tracker) unsettling connection is impulsively gripping and disorienting. The telepathic communication between the two is mentally nail-biting, and so is the linking POV imagery (blue tinting) of seeing what each other is doing. The harrowing material really does toy us around, drawing upon the threatening nature and adrenaline rush of creating a real sense of fear. Henry Macini's stomping, but eerie score truly gets under the skin and Robert Stevens' cinematography is sharply shot. O'Bannon keeps it sure-footed and taut; as he lets the story leisurely unfolds (giving time to explore the characters) to only break the ice with hysterically intense and twisted short pockets. Pruitt Taylor Vince's unnervingly immoral performance as the psychic murderer is nothing but convincingly good. The supporting cast featuring Michael O'Keefe, Lauren Hutton and Stan Shaw give collected and likable portrayals. Occupying an interesting cameo role at the beginning is the iconic John Agar.

Virtual reprise of The Eyes of Laura Mars

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 10 May 2015]

FEAR is a virtual reprise of the '70s Faye Dunaway movie THE EYES OF LAURA MARS, about a psychic who has a connection to various serial killers. This concept has been repackaged and reworked to fit in with then-booming psycho-thriller genre, so this time around we get a young psychic woman who engages in a battle of wits with an equally psychic serial killer.

Said starlet is played by none other than Ally Sheedy (WAR GAMES), pretty effective here as the old-before-her-years woman gifted with a talent she never asked for. I particularly liked the way the film avoids the usual clichéd scenes of the psychic character railing against their power and struggling to come to terms with it. This time around, she knows it's her gift and she gets on with it.

Sadly, the film is less effective than it should be, thanks to a play-it-safe script and direction from Rockne S. O'Bannon (a guy who cut his teeth as script editor on the similarly lacklustre THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE). I mean, it's not bad, but it's not as good as LAURA MARS and given the concept it should be a heck of a lot better. We get good performances from Sheedy and the likes of Stan Shaw in support, although Pruitt Taylor Vince is underutilised and hardly menacing. The murky blue "psychic" vision shots also date this one to the year in which it was made.

Worth It!

[eagle804 · 7/10 · 26 April 2008]

At first I felt this movie might be a disappointment. There are so many movies out there that look good, seem to have a cool premise, actors, etc. but never deliver. This movie had all those hints of greatness but in the back of my mind, despite what I read about it on here and other discussion boards(which was all very positive) I still had my reservations. Eventually I took the plunge and let me tell you friends "the water's fine!" This was great. Ally Sheedy was great. (smartly typecast for her own personal quirkiness). I couldn't ask for a better director (whomever he is...sorry bub, I'll look you up after this.) I thought I had the killers identity figured out right off the bat but turns out I was wrong, wrong, wrong. This was such a refreshing experience in the thriller genre. I know I will continue to enjoy this movie for years to come.

Brat back in the day

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 14 December 2019]

It's 1985 South Carolina. College student Cayce Bridges (Ally Sheedy) uses her psychic ability to catch a killer. Since then, she has caught more killers and has written books on the cases. Her manager Jessica Moreau (Lauren Hutton) brings her a new book deal. There is a new killer on the loose and skeptical police detective Webber is forced to work with Cayce. The media names the killer, Shadow Man (Pruitt Taylor Vince). He also has psychic powers which he uses to instill fear in his victims.

Ally Sheedy was my favorite Brat Packer back in the day. She never gained A-level fame but I still like her to this day. After her early successes faded away, she was left with some B-level material. This is one of them. The premise is fine for a supernatural crime thriller. Her visions can get a bit cheesy. It's better to let her say it and act it out rather than have the blurry visions all the time. Everything is fine until the laundromat. After the laundromat, it makes sense to call the police detectives. Before that, she's trying to appease the killer but that goes out the window at that point. When they are being followed, Jack should back up and ram the car. They're in a truck and he's in a car. They have the upper hand while driving. They lose that upper hand once they're on foot. Cayce says that he has a gun and yet he doesn't. Did he lose it and I missed it? The third act should be Webber and Wu joining them as they drive around the neighborhood. They could get into a car chase which ends in a foot chase in the carnival. I do like the hall of mirrors but I don't understand the turning point. Suddenly, she can overpower him but I don't know why. This is a fine B-level serial killer thriller with a problematic third act.

loved it but was never able to find it on video...back in the early 90's at least

[danielae-2 · 8/10 · 19 April 2006]

I saw a part of this movie on a cable channel a LONG time ago and looked all over for the movie to rent it but couldn't find it anywhere. It turns out it was on Showtime and that was the only place to see it...I finally got to watch the whole thing and really was creeped out. I liked the whole plot and the way the killer and Ally Sheedy were in each other's heads.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, but I will add, in the past, I've seen movies that I found horrifying as a young adult or even late teen but as a more let's say mature? person now, found them ho-hum or ridiculous. i hope this is not the case with this movie.

Outstanding Story, and great old fashion thriller.... but...

[montana_railty · 7/10 · 29 April 2018]

The story was fantastic and scary as hell. You can feel the intensity and anxiety that the movie sends to the viewers. However, the ending was lacking impact. It seemed too rushed. It's worth watching for a good thrill. Very creepy

shades of tippy hadron

[mfivejude-1 · 1/10 · 2 August 2009]

this film was so campy and badly overacted,ally's scene especially at the restaurant,reminded me of the hilarious scene in "the birds" with tippy oh,oh,oh ,ohing when the birds are trying to get in the house.i think it would make a great cult film.i do realize it was early in ally's career and she did improve with age. Lauren Hutton was classy and professional and i wondered why she hasn't been utilized more by the Hollywood film community. also an error seems to be when the killer first rings the doorbell,the old woman opens it,but in the flashback the scenario changes.also what was the significance of her not getting the right puzzle piece for the neighbor.i think the director must believe his viewing audience has the mentality of a herd of goats! ie,the scene when ally comes to establish her "credentials: to the 2 police officers,her psychic revelations went on ad infinitum.she covered everything except what kind of underwear they wore'We get It

Thank you, Pruitt Taylor Vince

[manuel-pestalozzi · 8/10 · 23 February 2006]

Movies like this one are sold here as German-dubbed video cassettes so cheap you practically can't refuse to buy them. „Fear" was a pleasant surprise, a psycho (or rather psychic) thriller with clear references to several Hitchcock movies and also reminiscent of Italian giallos. All the elements are there: the suspense, dream sequences, absurd humorous situations, innocent victims and many people who don't believe what you tell them, however hard you try. The story is simple but it works. And there is an excellent, beautifully filmed finale on a fairground (remember „Strangers on a Train?"). The biggest treat is Pruitt Taylor Vince as the psychopath killer who sees the tables turned on him. What a talent! Why, why, why doesn't he get more and bigger roles??

Fear Me Fear Me Not

[sol1218 · 6/10 · 5 October 2005]

**SPOILERS** Interesting but uneven thriller that has to do with full-time writer and author and part-time psychic detective young Cayce Bridges, Ally Sheedy,tapping in on a serial killer on the looses in L.A that the local newspaper dubbed "The Shadowman", Pruitt Taylor Vince.

At First getting strange visions at a TV talk show where she's pushing her latest book ,about her psychic powers,Cayce cuts the interview short and goes to the police to prevent the killer's latest atrocity. Cayce is snickered at by Det. Webber, Stan Shaw, but when she reveals things about him and his family that only he knows.

Det.Webber and his partner Det. Wu, Keone Young, go to the house, that Cayce directs them to, not only finding out that she was right but that they got there too late to save the Shadowmans latest victim."Fear" goes one a step beyond the usual psychic detective movie when it turns out that the Shadowman is himself psychic and knows that Cayce is watching him. Besides killing his victims, which he likes to instill enormous fear into before he murders them, the Shadowman taunts Cayce to try and catch him knowing that she's able to watch him.

This weird game of cat and mouse that the Shadowman plays with both Cayce and the police gets very personal when he shows Det. Webber that he not only knows where he lives but that he'll murder his entire family if he and the LAPD dare to apprehend him. Cayce for her part gets crank calls late at night from the Shadowman who by scaring her gives him a high almost as good as the one he gets from his terrifying and murdering his victims.

Cayce tries to keep the Shadowman from knowing that she's watching him and when she unknowingly slips up, watching him when he's doing his laundry, he becomes very enraged. Changing from an in-control killer to an out of control psycho almost getting himself caught by he police, that Cayce tipped off on his whereabouts.

As Cayce tries to leave L.A for New York City the Shadowman, now strangely hooked on her, murders her booking agent Jessica Mareau, Laura Hutton,and makes her psychically watch the whole grizzly scene threatening to kill one person an hour if she leaves. Cayce has no choice but to stay in L.A and be held hostage, like everyone else in the city, by him.

The ending of the movie is it's weakest part when the Shadowman reveals himself to Cayce in a fun-house hall of mirrors,obviously copied from the 1947 Orson Wells movie " Lady from Shanghi", with the killer ending up acting more like a scared slobbering wimp then the brutal cunning and almost omnipresent psycho that he was up until then.

Forget Plan 9 from Outer Space, this is probably actually truly the worst movie I've ever seen.

[Ben_Cheshire · 1/10 · 31 July 2015]

Avoid. Cringe-worthy turn with Ally Sheedy who was nowhere near up to the task of playing a psychic who helps cops solve cases. The plot basically predicts the plot of Medium (TV). I don't remember what Ally was like in the brat pack movies, but she's completely outdone by the material here, which calls for her to constantly know everything about everybody. She's like the most powerful and annoying psychic you could imagine: mostly the movie consists of excuses to have her character smart-alecky telling people what they had for breakfast, why they have a cut on their hand, etc. As in life, its all in how you do it, and they do it so ham-fistedly here its absolutely painful to watch. This is without a doubt one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Can not believe this got a theatrical release. Avoid at all costs. Oh, and hi Ally Sheedy fans and thanks for the unhelpfuls.

1/10 No redeeming features whatsoever, I'm a worse person from having watched it.

Disappointing

[mavtutz · 6 May 2015]

After reading all the wonderful reviews I was really looking forward to watching this movie. Unfortunately I found the movie disappointing to say the least. We are told that Kayce had helped police many times in the past to catch serial killers, consequently she should know the kind of information they hope to get from her. Maybe I missed something here but at no point did I hear her mention the tattoo on his right hand? This could have been a fantastic movie, the storyline was great but too many holes were present. We discover to the end that the killer could not read her mind but that of the fireman who lived next door. How then was he getting inside her head? Remember he was getting inside her head before she met the guy next door? It would have been nice to see her learning to control her gift better too in order to fight him. There were so many possibilities for this movie, it just didn't deliver for me ....

A Psychic Killer Who Feeds on Fear

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 12 January 2016]

This movie begins with a psychic named "Cacye Bridges" (Ally Sheedy) helping police catch a serial killer before he can murder yet another victim. Four years later Cacye and her agent, "Jessica Moreau" (Lauren Hutton) are in the process of marketing her new book when Cayce suddenly gets a vision of yet another serial killer at work. Known as "the Shadow Man" (played by Pruitt Taylor Vince) this homicidal maniac is extremely clever and elusive for a good reason-he is also psychic. Not only that but he has tapped into Cayce's psychic wavelength and communicates with her while he is in the act of killing his next victim. And he feeds on her fear as well as everybody else. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie I will just say that, while it didn't have much horror, it had some good suspense and mystery here and there which kept things interesting for the most part. I also liked the performance of Ally Sheedy who played her part rather well. In any case, this was a solid thriller which I believe those interested in a film of this sort might find entertaining. I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Ridiculous movie

[TheOldGuyFromHalloween3 · 1/10 · 23 July 2022]

Ally Sheedy plays the one true psychic in a sea of fakes who is after a killer who is also psychic and can read her thoughts. In movies serial killers are always going after the cops who are chasing them and even going after their families. But this never happens irl. Of course the killer gets her alone in the House of Mirrors and then jumps on a ferris wheel and there is a fight scene and he falls to his death. Happens every day.

Good, Edgy Thriller

[gwnightscream · 6/10 · 13 January 2021]

This 1990 thriller stars Ally Sheedy, Lauren Hutton, Michael O'Keefe and Pruitt Taylor Vince. Sheedy (The Breakfast Club) plays psychic/author, Cayce who helps police find killers. Soon, a serial killer called, The Shadow Man (Vince) starts using his psychic link with Cayce and she tries to catch him with or without the police. Hutton (Someone's Watching Me) plays Cayce's manager/friend, Jessica and O'Keefe (Caddyshack) plays Cayce's new neighbor/boyfriend, David. This is a good, edgy thriller and Sheedy & Vince are great in it. If you like suspense/thrillers, give this a view.

terrific psychological suspense thriller

[disdressed12 · 8/10 · 3 January 2009]

this psychological suspense thriller was way better than i expected.it reminded me a lot of the 1976 movie,the Eyes of Laura Mars,starring Fay Dunnaway.not only is the subject matter very similar,but the style is also the same.instead of just being a normal by the numbers movie about serial killers,this one has the psychic ingredient added to the mix.it's not the first movie to do this.for example the aforementioned The Eyes of Laura Mars,but it does do it well.the suspense is nearly off the charts.the music by Henry Mancini has a lot to do with that.it's also not that predictable in terms of what is happening and how it ends.it isn't gory either.it's all about the suspense,or Fear,if you will.a nice refreshing change from the usual slice 'n dice,hack and slash gore-fests.not that there's anything wrong with that.by the way this is not the movie starring mark Walberg.it's with Alley Sheedy,who's pretty credible in a very serious role.for,me,Fear is a solid 8/10

I will scream all the way to New York....

[FlashCallahan · 6/10 · 16 November 2013]

Ally Sheedy plays a psychic, who assists the police with locating murderers and helping them to apprehended.

In her spare time she writes books, flirts with firemen, and tells Stan Shaw all his memories.

Then another psychic comes on the scene, but he's a serial killer, but gets Sheedy to feel the victims fears when they are being murdered. So now its up to her and the flirty fireman to catch him, but he's always one step ahead....

For the most part, its a pretty tense movie, and the shadow man is a wondrous creation, but after a tantrum too many, Sheedy becomes a little tiresome, and her little outburst on the plane is deserved of a few choice words.

But its a little rare movie. I found this on the horror channel late one night, as over here in the UK, its unavailable on DVD, unless you are willing to pay silly money for it.

But overall the film does have a few tense moments, and the fear sharing scenes, are pretty unique, but usurped in Strange Days.

The last act in the fair is wonderfully over the top, but just adds to the mix.

But it's the best film ever where a woman's psychic ability can tell what her intended wants to eat...

Strong, majorly underappreciated horror-thriller

[I_Ailurophile · 9/10 · 18 November 2022]

My commendations to filmmaker Rockne S. O'Bannon and all others who participated in this: while more of a crime thriller than anything else, 'Fear' definitely does an incredible job of inculcating a horror vibe. Every element here lends tremendously to strong tension and suspense, and profound, gnawing unease and dread. From Ally Sheedy's vibrant performance, to Cayce's visions and the killer's taunts; from Robert M. Stevens' dynamic cinematography, to visual effects, to O'Bannon's sharp direction; from flashes of blood and violence, to the lingering pall of spreading doom; from a very capable supporting cast, providing an anchor, to Henry Mancini's dramatic, piercing score - excellent care and hard work went into every last bit, ensuring that "fear" isn't just a title, or the killer's dark desire, but a feeling passed on to the viewer. Ninety minutes hardly seems sufficient to contain the powerful atmosphere bursting through every seam of this movie, and it handily exceeds all my expectations.

All the characters are written very well, making them as real as possible, though of course Cayce is given the greatest life of all - while the killer is effectively realized as a terrible, malevolent force of nature. O'Bannon's dialogue is utterly terrific, fierce and emotionally wrought as it's steeped in the same grim aura. The narrative is fairly direct, spending little time on exposition that doesn't also begin right away to manifest the terrible energy hovering around - yet at that, it's plainly riveting, keeping us absorbed all along. While the scene writing is discretely bent toward the same ominous airs, there's still more than enough nuance and variety to keep the course of events fresh and biting from the cold start to the gripping finish. And at every turn, the filmmaker demonstrates a firm command of the medium in orchestrating shots and scenes and guiding the cast. 'Fear' looks and sounds great across the board, tight and focused, and for all the strength of the cast, and the earnestly thrilling ambience that's evoked, I'm a little surprised that this isn't more well known, or didn't meet with more success.

I wasn't wholly sure what to expect when I first sat to watch, but in my opinion this is far and above the average crime thriller. Though no direct comparison in terms of content, for the ways in which this title goes more sinister and foreboding in its storytelling and the feelings it inspires, I'm most readily reminded of 1998 supernatural horror-thriller 'Fallen,' except without the cheekily playful edge. The premise sounds relatively straightforward, and so too is the plot, yet the picture is superb in tugging on those threads, pulling them taut, to the fullest extent possible. Frankly I think this direly underappreciated, and deserves far more recognition and viewership. As far as I'm concerned 'Fear' is an outstanding film, well worth seeking out to watch; highly recommended!

Fear The Shadow Man

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 18 August 2011]

Fear is written and directed by Rockne S. O'Bannon. It stars Ally Sheedy, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Michael O'Keefe and Lauren Hutton. Music is by Henry Mancini and cinematography by Robert Stevens. Plot sees Sheedy as Cayce Bridges, a gifted psychic who aids the police in capturing serial killers. However, when she "tunes" into the elusive killer known as The Shadow Man (Vince), she finds that he too has the gift……

Originally slated for a full theatrical release, Fear eventually made its bow on Cable TV. Following in the footsteps of other sub-genre psychic thrillers like The Eyes of Laura Mars, O'Bannon's movie is very efficient as a creeper, containing more than competent acting performances, a film with good ideas and visual touches, but ultimately undone by a weak ending.

Film kicks into gear straight from the off as we join Cayce helping the police track a serial killer who is driving his latest victim to his place of slaughter. The effects used are blue tinted paranormal visions that put us in the car with the killer, this gives off the necessary unnerving vibe that O'Bannon manages to maintain right up until the finale. Picture is further boosted by its premise, a killer turning the psychic tables on his pursuer. This provides some quality moments of disquiet, notably an airport sequence that chills the blood. But then an ending, unimaginatively played out at a fair ground via the Hall of Mirrors, that insults the viewers who have been perched on the edge of their seats up till now. Problem is that the Shadow Man (played with wobbly eyed intensity by Vince) is a hulking brute who has terrorised and overpowered a number of women in the film. We are then asked to accept that Cayce, a wee slip of a girl (perfectly petite Sheedy), can fell said brute with the minimum of fuss. I'd have laughed if I didn't feel so annoyed.

Shame because there's still more than enough good here to make it a comfortable recommendation to like minded adults. But it should have been so much better. 6.5/10

Predictable, yes, but thrilling just the same

[Etoile · 8 April 2000]

As soon as the movie begins, we know how it's going to end. And yet "Fear" stays captivating the whole time. What makes it so interesting is the exploration of human emotion: the use of fear as a tool of communication. Yes, this is a movie about psychics and psychopaths, but it's also a movie about exploring the depth of human understanding.

Psychic battles psychic serial killer...watch out!

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 29 June 2017]

A young woman with psychic powers aids the police in tracking down murderers; an expert in psychometry, she makes associations from an object through physical contact. However, the latest serial killer on her radar, a man who feeds on his victims' fear, is also psychic and his power may be greater than hers. A novel spin on "Eyes of Laura Mars" from writer-director Rockne S. O'Bannon, who also co-produced for Vestron Pictures, who released the film to Showtime in place of a theatrical run. Despite some lapses of logic in the plotting, a surprisingly good screamer, a bit over-the-top but still exceptional for the thriller-genre. O'Bannon has given the film a handsome look and his script has smart dialogue. In the lead, Ally Sheedy takes a while to warm up; she looks lovely here, and has a few choice moments of serious acting, but too often she relies on 'cute' or coy mannerisms. Supporting cast including Michael O'Keefe as a bachelor fireman who lives next door and Lauren Hutton as Sheedy's agent are also good. Portions of Henry Mancini's score are curiously reminiscent of his soundtrack for 1967's "Wait Until Dark". O'Bannon, the screenwriter of "Alien Nation" two years prior, continued working as a writer and director in television, and proved here he has keen instincts and a great eye for visuals.

Psychic murder

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 11 September 2021]

Cayce Bridges (Ally Sheedy) - nice first name - is a remote viewer and empath who can mentally find and link with murderers, allowing the police to catch them. However, once she meets the Shadow Man, she learns that there's a psychic that is even more powerful than she is.

So much American giallo seems fixated on the psychic detective who can find a killer that ends up getting stuck inside her mind. That said, this film has a wonderful performance by Ally Sheedy to shore it up as well as a bonkers scene at a dinner where she suddenly links minds with the killer and begins ruins numerous rich folks' fancy evening out.

Plus, Michael O'Keefe, John Agar and Lauren Hutton make for what is in our existence a pretty decent cast.

Writer/director Rockne S. Bannon's career has mostly been in science fiction, as he wrote the theatrical and TV versions of Alien Nation, as well as plenty more TV like FarScape, the 90s Twilight Zone and Cult.