X
- 1980
- R
- Associated Film Distribution (AFD)
- 1 h 47 m
- 1980
- R
- Associated Film Distribution (AFD)
- 1 h 47 m
Summary A man staying at a secluded historical mansion finds himself being haunted by the presence of a spectre.
Directed By: Peter Medak
Written By: Russell Hunter, William Gray, Diana Maddox
- 1980
- R
- Associated Film Distribution (AFD)
- 1 h 47 m
- 1980
- R
- Associated Film Distribution (AFD)
- 1 h 47 m
The Changeling
70
7.0
Where to Watch
Summary A man staying at a secluded historical mansion finds himself being haunted by the presence of a spectre.
Directed By: Peter Medak
Written By: Russell Hunter, William Gray, Diana Maddox
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
70
89% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
11% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
70
89% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
11% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
An underrated entry in the horror subgenre, generating consistent unease through long, ominous pans—up and down staircases, through hallways—that assume the perspective of its searching-for-peace specter.
The word for The Changeling is chilling. Medak doesn't pummel the audience with gore and Exorcist-type shock tactics. More than once, he raises real goose bumps using nothing more extraordinary than a bouncing rubber ball. [31 Mar 1980, p.82]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 User Ratings
7.0
70% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
25% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 User Ratings
7.0
70% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
25% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
One of the most genuinely haunting ghost stories in recent years, The Changeling is much eerier and more effective than the overrated and bombastic Poltergeist.
The Changeling is a breathless, enjoyably scary amusement-park ride through an aged genre that comes back more often than Frank Sinatra; and that appears to be as pleased with itself, and as well-preserved. [28 Mar 1980]
Scott lends credibility to the far-fetched happenings, and director Peter Medak manipulates the standard scare tactics with skill. [07 Mar 1980]
It doesn't have that sneaky sense of awful things about to happen. Scott makes the hero so rational, normal and self-possessed that we never feel he's in real danger; we go through this movie with too much confidence.
The leaps made by Scott's agile mind in identifying both victim and usurper leave logic and credence on the starting block.
Awards
Genie Awards
• 9 Wins & 11 Nominations
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 3 Nominations
Fantafestival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
