The Changeling Reviews

"That house is not fit to live in. No one's been able to live in it. It doesn't want people."

The Changeling is pure class, a rare type of haunted house movie which is genuinely effective and frightening. Directed by Peter Medak, it's a horror movie short on jump scares and violence, but it succeeds because it's deftly made and insanely atmospheric. A superb mix of horror and mystery, the film builds slowly and steadily, relying on tension and character development rather than lazy scares or gore. Due to this, mainstream horror fans may not be willing to give The Changeling a shot, but any genre connoisseur worth their salt needs to check out Medak's horror master class, as it's hands down one of the all-time great haunted house flicks.

After losing his wife and daughter in a tragic car accident while on holiday, middle-aged composer and music professor John Russell (George C. Scott) rents an old Victorian mansion owned by the local historical society. It's an enormous place, and Russell hopes that the solitude, silence and comfort afforded by the house will give his creativity a jump. But not long after moving in, strange things begin to occur, with Russell hearing odd noises and experiencing unexplainable phenomena which may indicate that the residence is haunted by a ghostly spectre. Pairing up with realtor Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere), Russell sets out to investigate the house's past, eventually learning of a troubled family history from the early 20th Century.

Though it starts out as a run-of-the-mill haunted house horror, The Changeling shifts gears into its second act, developing into more of an investigative mystery beset with twists and plot revelations. We've seen mindless poltergeists who do not seem to have much of a plan beyond scaring people, but the ghost here actually has an underlying purpose, and it's interesting to see this smart twist on typical convention. Admittedly, the haunted house elements are fairly standard-order, but the movie works because of how skilful it is. It's a scare movie with taste and intelligence, which is a rare thing to witness.

The supernatural occurrences here are very low-key, with Medak orchestrating hauntings that feel authentic. Rather than digital monsters or ghosts, The Changeling features an invisible presence. Doors are slammed, eerie noises are heard, a dusty wheelchair appears to be alive, and there's a memorable sequence involving a ball that will send chills down your spine. Also effective is a key séance scene, in which a medium attempts to communicate with the spirit and write down what it's trying to convey. The scene of Russell listening to the audio recording of the séance after the fact is the kind of stuff true horror is made of. Medak is a stylish filmmaker, employing careful photography and moody lighting to amplify the horror. Aiding Medak is composer Rick Wilkins, whose score is minimalist yet insanely creepy. The Changeling is not perfect, however. It is a well-made movie considering its budget and era, but some pieces of editing and filmmaking look dated, and the pacing is not always effective. It's a slow-burning horror, yet a good ten minutes could have probably been excised to good effect.

George C. Scott may seem like a strange choice for a horror, but he's terrific, bringing a welcome sense of legitimacy and gravitas to the production that elevates it to a higher level. Scott is a real actor's actor, an incredibly authoritative presence able to handle emotion and intensity. He conveys a great deal of sorrow after losing his family through simple expressions, and he makes his character sympathetic and likable due to how level-headed and human he seems. On top of this, Scott is great during the haunting scenes, visibly scared but never truly letting the ghosts get to him. Backing Scott is an able supporting cast, with Van Devere a pleasant female presence while Melvyn Douglas stands out in his small but pivotal role as a United States senator.

If you're seeking an old-fashioned dosage of supernatural horror, then this little-seen, underrated '80s gem will scratch that itch. Though the slow-burning nature of the movie may put some people off, it worked for this reviewer. The Changeling was made in a different cinematic era, when horror films designed for mature, patient adults was still possible. And, amazingly, no-one has tried to remake the film so far. Let's hope it stays that way.

8.3/10

Great story well acted and unwraps at a decent pace. Spooky throughout really enjoyed it for an older horror.

The movie is more scary for what you don't see and what is implied. Much scarier than slash flicks where you expect a regular stream of blood and guts.