PopHorror Let's Get Scared
NOTE: This story was published during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the films being covered here wouldn’t exist. PopHorror fully supports the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their efforts.
Loaded with meaningful subtext, yet still retaining the more exploitative elements of 1980’s horror offerings, The Devonsville Terror toes a fine line between supernatural thriller and scathing social commentary.
The Devonsville Terror Synopsis
“Dr. Worley investigates a 300-year-old witch’s curse in the New England town of Devonsville. Three liberated, assertive women move into town, which angers the bigoted, male-dominated town fathers. One of the women is a reincarnation of the witch, who proceeds to exact revenge on the town males.”
Here’s a look at the trailer!
Genre journeyman Ulli Lommel (The Boogey Man) directs this satisfying slice of small town mayhem, co-writing with George T. Lindsey, and star Suzanna Love (The Boogey Man; and also Lommel’s spouse at the time). And with its bizarrely relatable story, specialty label Vinegar Syndrome couldn’t have picked a more fortunate time to release this, cleaned up and re-mastered for the masses!
A poignant tale of three alleged witches, unjustly arrested, tortured and executed in 1683 (and who knew they had bright blue eyeshadow back then??) and the subsequent curse that manifests 300 years later. The arrival of new school teacher Jenny Scanlon (Love), a controversial new radio DJ, Monika (Deanna Haas; The Demons of Ludlow), and environmental scientist, Chris (Mary Walden; Sex & The Single Alien) has the men of the town very nervous, as they are descended from the aforementioned town fathers, and come to believe that the three are the witches resurrected, and their arrival is the catalyst for the curse to begin.
Led by shop keeper Walter Gibbs (Paul Willson; Office Space), who recently dispatched his ill wife, the men of Devonsville: Aaron (William Dexter; Twister’s Revenge), and young Ralph (Michael Accardo; Chicago P.D.), begin to harass and outright assault the newcomers, while being directed/counseled by the town’s reverend (Wally Flaherty; The Capture of Bigfoot) and the worm infested Dr. Worley (Donald Pleasence; Halloween). Will these small town incels break the curse and banish the “witches” to Hell once more??
Think for a moment, what are the hot-button, divisive, social issues today? Religion, school curriculums, sexuality, women’s rights, environmentalism, small town justice…
All of these, and more, are addressed, and become conspiracy theories (sound familiar?) for the townsmen in The Devonsville Terror as they seek justification for persecuting the supposed witches in their town, assuring them that they “might not make it through the Winter.” It blows one’s mind viewing this film today, as it is such a microcosm of current events.
All subtext aside, the film itself is a entertaining thriller, riffing both on the “sins of the father” motif, and fitting nicely into the Satanic panic/witch trial sub-genre.
Donald Pleasence is very underused. Presumably, he was still riding the Halloween wave, and could only be had for a day or two due to budget. It’s oddly satisfying to see such a dignified presence roll his sleeve up to pick meal worms from his flesh. Dexter’s Aaron is only out creeped by the masterful pervert performance turned in by Willson as Gibbs, the unofficial leader of the witch hunt. Love is also perfectly cast as the independent, but vulnerable Jenny, showing some serious acting chops when put into some seemingly uncomfortable scenes. And Robert Walker Jr. (Easy Rider) as the helpful, sympathetic Matthew shines as the town’s “conscience” and voice of reason.
Effects wise, The Devonsville Terror features some very well done head trauma effects—exploding craniums, and axe attacks! There’s also the requisite mid 80’s “head melting” effect plagiarized from Raiders of the Lost Ark (didn’t everyone do those until 1987 or so?). There’s a few (to me) gratuitous nude scenes that make for a weird dichotomy given the film’s obvious message, but that’s what sold horror films in the mid 1980’s.
The Vinegar Syndrome 2K scan looks amazing given the murky look of the 35mm source material. Film noise and audio are cleaned up so everything translates well to modern HD displays. As always, Vin Syn does an excellent job with packaging, with exceptional alt artwork and colors that pop. The Blu-ray itself is loaded with archival interviews and a new segment from the semi-retired Love.
All subtlety with the subtext and social commentary is left at the door with The Devonsville Terror, but anyone who isn’t living in a Unabomber shack somewhere can appreciate the parallels 40 odd years after it’s release. And, for those just wanting escapist entertainment, it also makes for a creepy, well done supernatural horror film—so depending on your perspective, it’s a “win” either way! “Smash the patriarchy!” indeed.
The Devonsville Terror is available from Vinegar Syndrome at various retailers, and is currently streaming on Shudder.
