“Have you checked the children?”
Curt Duncan-When A Stranger Calls
Fright was one of the films I was extremely excited to watch. For those who don’t know it’s been credited as one of the most influential horror films of all time. I agree that Fright has a place in horror history, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it holds up well today. Directed by Peter Collinson, the film was one of the first to explore the “babysitter in peril” trope, which would later become a staple in the slasher genre. While it gets credit for laying the groundwork for later films like Halloween, Fright struggles to maintain tension and suffers from uneven pacing, making it a less compelling watch than its successors.
The plot is simple: Amanda (Susan George) is hired to babysit in a remote home, only to find herself terrorized by the escaped, psychopathic father of the child she’s caring for. The premise sets up a promising night of terror, but the execution falters. The biggest problem is that Fright drags its feet when it should be building suspense. The film takes far too long to shift into gear, spending its first half establishing mundane details and awkward conversations. When the real horror kicks in, it feels rushed and doesn’t quite deliver on the fear factor.
Susan George’s performance is the saving grace here. She has a magnetic presence on the screen. She is gorgeous, vulnerable, and naive. George convincingly portrays her character’s escalating fear and desperation, elevating some of the film’s weaker moments. However, Ian Bannen’s portrayal of the unhinged ex-husband feels more campy than truly menacing. His performance often borders on melodrama, which detracts from any real sense of dread the film might otherwise have achieved.
From a technical standpoint, Fright is hit or miss. Collinson’s direction occasionally captures the claustrophobic feel of the house, but the cinematography feels flat more often than not. The film’s score also does little to enhance the atmosphere, relying on typical horror cues that don’t elevate the stakes much.
Fright is a product of its time, and while it holds some significance in horror’s evolution, it doesn’t offer much beyond that. It’s inspired far better films like House of the Devil and Halloween, and that’s its lasting legacy. The film feels uneven, unable to fully commit to its darker elements, and is ultimately overshadowed by better entries in the babysitter horror subgenre. If you’re a horror completist, it’s worth checking out for its historical importance, but don’t expect a nail-biting experience.
Rating: 4.5/10
