Outstanding Overlooked Supernatural Horror Films from the 1980s

      Casey Chong highlights seven overlooked supernatural horror films from the 1980s.

      The ‘80s witnessed a flood of horror films aiming for a lasting impact. While some achieved success, others were either failures or went underappreciated. Supernatural horrors, like The Shining, Angel Heart, and Prince of Darkness, have secured their spots on many genre enthusiasts' lists. However, instead of discussing these frequently mentioned titles, let's explore seven underrated supernatural horrors from the '80s that merit a second look.

      The Appointment (1982)

      This little-known British supernatural horror was filmed in 1980 but only gained attention when it was released on home video two years later, only to then vanish from recognition. In 2022, The Appointment received new life with a Blu-ray release from BFI Flipside. The film centers on Edward Woodward’s character, who prioritizes a critical appointment over attending his daughter’s violin recital.

      Lindsey C. Vickers's sole feature film begins with a gripping opening: a schoolgirl walks alone in the woods before being violently taken by an unseen, malevolent force. The narrative unfolds slowly as it explores the ominous fate of Woodward’s Ian. While Vickers' gradual pacing may deter impatient viewers, he effectively cultivates a growing sense of dread that builds up to the chilling conclusion.

      Nomads (1986)

      John McTiernan, known for Predator and Die Hard, surprisingly began his career with a horror film that incorporates supernatural elements related to ancient Eskimo spirits.

      Strangely, Nomads does not follow a typical supernatural horror format; instead, McTiernan’s screenplay leads us through two interwoven narratives spanning past (Pierce Brosnan’s Jean Charles-Pommier and his wife Anna-Maria Moneticelli) and present (Lesley-Anne Down’s Dr. Eileen Flax). The film can be disorienting at times, and McTiernan’s debut shows some rough edges. Yet, he successfully blends contemporary nomadic culture with psychological thriller and supernatural horror elements.

      The Entity (1982)

      Imagine a typical single mother returning home one night, only for everything to change when she is sexually assaulted in her own bedroom by an unseen force. This lesser-known 1982 supernatural horror is inspired by the real-life 1974 case of Doris Bither, who endured a harrowing experience.

      Barbara Hershey portrays the unfortunate mother, delivering a committed performance in The Entity. The emotional intensity needed for her role risks veering into overacting at times, but Hershey's dedication keeps the film engaging. Director Sidney J. Furie employs dynamic camera work to illustrate the torment from the invisible entity that harasses Hershey’s character, paired with Charles Bernstein’s impactful score.

      Black Rainbow (1989)

      Mike Hodges’ varied filmography includes crime dramas (Get Carter, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead), campy sci-fi (Flash Gordon), and importantly, Black Rainbow — a supernatural thriller showcasing one of Rosanna Arquette’s standout performances as a medium. She uses her supposed psychic skills to connect audiences with the dead while her alcoholic father (Jason Robards) acts as her manager.

      Black Rainbow opens with a promising first half-hour centered around her cheerful show, which takes a darker turn. The film intricately reveals the deceitful tactics of the daughter-father duo in manipulating people into believing in falsehoods. As the narrative progresses, the story takes an intriguing twist: is Arquette’s character a genuine medium or a fraud? Hodges, who also penned the screenplay, adds another layer involving a mysterious assassin and a journalist (Tom Hulce) determined to uncover the truth, culminating in a disturbing, ambiguous finale.

      The Survivor (1981)

      Based on James Herbert’s novel, this little-seen Australian supernatural horror from 1981 begins with a foreboding sense of dread: children play in a park while a young woman named Hobbs (Jenny Agutter), who possesses psychic abilities, is present when an airplane flies overhead. The plot soon unfolds with a tragic plane crash that claims the lives of all onboard except for pilot captain David Keller (Robert Powell), who is somehow left unharmed and has no memory of the incident.

      The compelling opening sets the tone for the film, which has its ups and downs. Director David Hemmings generally adeptly establishes a sense of foreboding through supernatural occurrences, the haunting cries of crash victims, and the nightmarish imagery of burned corpses. Interestingly, The Survivor was considered an outlier at a time when Australian cinema focused heavily on the Ozploitation genre, not to mention it was the most expensive Australian film made up to that point, largely due to the cost of the opening plane crash scene.

      Killer Party (1986)

      The slasher genre was hugely popular in the ‘80s, with countless films flooding the market. While many stuck to a familiar formula,