Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

In the city of Rome, a troubled young woman named Ippolita loses all her faith in God and others when nothing seems to be able to cure her paralysis and her father's attentions shift to another. A doctor brought in to help cure her apparently psychological affliction begins to experiment with hypnosis, opening a door to a past life that would be better left closed. All Hell breaks loose, quite literally, when Ippolita decides to let Satan into her life again and soon finds herself the devil's tool for bringing about his victory on Earth.

"The Antichrist", also known as "The Tempter", is a flawed but surprisingly good little Italian horror film. No doubt, a fair portion of the film (the latter part) is an "Exorcist" wannabe, but everything that leads up to the big exorcism is really quite different and interesting. And, yes, there's a big orgy scene during a Satanic ceremony at one point, and yes, it does involve Ippolita tasting the business end of a goat, but that part is more implied than anything. Now, as for the "rip-off" exorcism aspect (though I don't see why we should only have one film involving an exorcism and call all others "rip-offs"), yeah, some of the effects are laughable and it doesn't have the scares of the classic Linda Blair film (and Carla Gravina is no hottie-hot-hottie Linda Blair), but it still works for the story being presented and has its own, lighter brand of creepiness. I did find it rather amusing how the characters of the film constantly sent mixed messages about what they believed in, in regards to supernatural vs. science, as well as claiming things like psychic phenomenon to be established scientific facts, but on the whole this movie is successful as what it should be, a piece of entertainment. It is entertaining throughout, and the story is engaging.

"The Antichrist", which also stars Mel Ferrer and Arthur Kennedy, is available here from Anchor Bay in a nice enhanced widescreen. Bonus features include a TV spot, a poster and still gallery, and "Raising Hell", which is an interview with the film's director, Alberto De Martino. Composer Ennio Morricone also takes part. If you're a fan of horror in general, this is well worth owning if you aren't the type to call everything a rip-off or be turned off by a few cheesy effects. Don't expect too much, but it is entertaining at least.

Anchor Bay produced this classic spin-off of The Exorcist. This is actually one of Anchor Bay's better movies. The worst Anchor Bay movie that I have seen so far is "The Church". The AntiChrist features good actors with a good storyline. Don't miss this one! Demonic possession, cults, secret plots, suicides, and murders make this a 5 star b movie.