The Changeling (Peter Medak, 1980, Canada)

The Changeling is a Canadian horror film starring George C. Scott. While the film was a modest success upon its original release in 1980, including garnering several Genie Awards (the Canadian version of the Oscars), it has gained stature since its release as one of the great haunted house films. Slowly paced and made for adults, The Changeling reminds us of a different era of filmmaking, when a horror movie could still be made for adults. While George C. Scott's career had ups and downs, he was still an Academy Award-winning actor.

Scott plays John Russell, an esteemed composer from New York whose wife and daughter are killed in a car accident. The grieving Russell moves from New York to Seattle (Vancouver filling in for Seattle here), where he rents a home from the local historical society. Strange happenings begin, and Russell attempts to uncover the reason behind these strange happenings. The Changeling is unique in that it subverts our expectations almost immediately, as (warning: spoiler) we expect Russell to be haunted by his wife and daughter. Still, he is haunted by a different spirit tied to the house. This spirit is tied to a prominent US senator played by Melvyn Douglas, another prestigious actor.

Slow-paced and moody, The Changeling may be a bit of a challenge to modern audiences. Still, there is something hypnotic about the film, and if you let the film wash over you, there are many rewards for viewers. Of particular note is the score by Rick Wilkins, which incorporates what seem to be the fictional composer's compositions. Since its release, the film has appeared on Bravo's Scariest Moments TV show, and director Martin Scorsese has also called the film one of the scariest he has ever seen. It is easy to see why The Changeling endures.

7/10