Not everyone will have the same definition of cursed objects. Some say they can’t be sentient or be inhabited by any kind of entity, whereas others think they’re capable of all that and more. Whatever one believes, the most important trait of any cursed object is the negative outcome it causes. As anyone who’s watched […]
Not everyone will have the same definition of cursed objects. Some say they can’t be sentient or be inhabited by any kind of entity, whereas others think they’re capable of all that and more. Whatever one believes, the most important trait of any cursed object is the negative outcome it causes.
As anyone who’s watched enough horror movies can tell you, these notions of what is and what isn’t a cursed object don’t matter much. The genre does what it wants. With Corin Hardy’s Whistle now out, horror fans may be looking for other movies about cursed objects.
However, this particular curation mixes things up by including s ten overlooked entries from the sub-genre.
Terror at London Bridge (1985)
David Hasselhoff and Stepfanie Kramer in Terror at London Bridge (1985)
The concept of Terror at London Bridge (1985), a.k.a Bridge Across Time, is just absurd enough to work. The straight-facedness is also much appreciated in E.W. Swackhamer‘s TV movie. In this small-screen oddball, Jack the Ripper is reborn in the ’80s after finding his way to Arizona. The London Bridge has since been reconstructed somewhere in the Copper State, all except for one missing stone. Unfortunately for everyone in the area, that very stone contained the spirit of The Ripper (here played by Paul Rossilli). So now it’s up to David Hasselhoff and Stepfanie Kramer to catch one of the most notorious serial killers to ever live.
The Lamp (1987)
Andra St. Ivanyi’s Alex examines the namesake of The Lamp a.k.a. The Outing (1987).
See, this is an example of how the horror genre toys around with the concept of cursed objects. Not only is the namesake of Tom Daley‘s The Lamp/The Outing (1987) housing a malevolent entity, the misfortune it creates isn’t anywhere as slow-acting or subtle as that of a conventional curse. Nothing in this schlocky supernatural slasher, one about a bunch of teens who are targeted by a djinn, can really be considered slow. Nevertheless, that lamp here is a curse upon anyone who finds it.
The Lift (1988)
The killer elevator claims another victim in The Lift (1988).
Cursed objects don’t have to be small or medium in size, as one can see in Dick Maas‘The Lift (1988). A killer elevator is turning passengers into corpses in this classic offering of Nederhorror. And if this movie isn’t enough to sate your appetite for machine madness, then seek out Maas’ even zanier remake. Bloody Disgusting’s own Matt Donato gushed about Down/The Shaft (2001), calling it “the movie Maas might have wanted The Lift to be,” had he been given the proper resources. The remake also has Naomi Watts before she starred in one of the most renowned cursed object horrors: The Ring (2002).
Mirror, Mirror (1990)
The cursed mirror in Mirror, Mirror (1990).
Perhaps no object is as foreboding to society as the mirror. A broken one is said to cause seven years of bad luck, or even draw evil spirits to it. Others think mirrors cause overactive energy, hence the warning of keeping them out of sight in a bedroom. So, regardless of what mirror myth you believe, or not, the looking glass holds a lot of power over people. Break one in front of a crowd and witness the mixed reactions. As for Marina Sargenti‘s Mirror, Mirror (1990), the most haunted-looking long-view mirror is to blame for one teen’s terror. Rainbow Harvest and Karen Black are the latest victims of this killer antique, and based on the sequels, they also won’t be the last.
I’m Dangerous Tonight (1990)
Mädchen Amick wears the cursed dress in I’m Dangerous Tonight.
In the same vein as Whistle, Tobe Hooper‘s loose adaptation of Cornell Woolrich’s story also deals with an old and enchanted object. Here, I’m Dangerous Tonight (1990) sees Twin Peaks star Mädchen Amick battling the uncanny thrall of a certain new dress. Bit by bit, this once-timid college student loses her inhibitions until she’s completely under the garb’s spell. Co-starring in this original USA Network flick is Anthony Perkins, a psych professor whose lecture on animism helps explain the weird goings-on. For more wicked attire, be sure to check out In Fabric (2019) and Slaxx (2020) as well.
Amityville: It’s About Time (1992)
The ravages of time in Amityville: Its About Time (1992).
Following in the footsteps of 1989’s The Evil Escapes, the sixth entry in the Amityville franchise also shows what happens when you bring something home from the original Amityville property. Tony Randel‘s Amityville: It’s About Time (1992) sees a family coming completely undone after the father returns from his business trip with an old mantel clock in tow. It’s one he found among the ruins of a familiar neighborhood in Amityville, New York. Now, many consider this to be one of the better and more amusing sequels in this unruly series. Just ask Bloody Disgusting’s own Joe Lipsett, who called It’s About Time “silly, fun and visually outstanding” as well as a “stand-out entry that confirms the wilder [these Amityville] films get, the more enjoyable they are to watch.”
The Red Shoes (2005)
The pink pumps in The Red Shoes (2005).
South Korean horror didn’t meet an object it couldn’t curse. The 2000s alone saw various items bespell characters, driving them mad and following them until death. Kim Yong-gyun‘s The Red Shoes (2005) is one of the better examples of this trend. Here, a pair of pink pumps (yeah, yeah, they should be red) left abandoned in the subway leads to the downfall of one woman and everyone around her. This includes her young daughter. Whatever the movie might lack in story, it makes up for in style.
Exte: Hair Extensions (2007)
Hair gone wild in Exte: Hair Extensions (2007).
If removed body parts are allowed a seat at the table, then Sion Sono‘s Exte (2007) is definitely about a cursed object. Several, in fact. Battle Royale and Kill Bill star Chiaki Kuriyama is woven into this frightener, where someone’s been passing off a dead person’s hair as hair extensions. This out-there movie truly works best whenever the sinister hair is teased into terrifying set-pieces.
The Monkey’s Paw (2013)
Stephen Lang in The Monkey’s Paw (2013).
This update of W. W. Jacobs’ classic cautionary tale was penned by Macon Blair (The Toxic Avenger) and directed by Brett Simmons, and it was produced by the now-defunct Chiller Films. This version takes a refreshingly different turn, as the main character (C. J. Thomason) accidentally brings his dead friend back to life. Oh, and said friend (Stephen Lang) came back “wrong” and now likes to kill people. If you enjoy extra-dark tales of wishes gone bad, then do yourself a favor and seek out The Monkey’s Paw (2013).
Deerskin (2019)
Jean Dujardin and Adèle Haenel in Deerskin (2019).
Dark comedies and horror can be rather similar in tone, and Deerskin (2019) fits into both categories. In Quentin Dupieux‘s movie, Jean Dujardin‘s character drops a lot of euros in exchange for a fringed deerskin jacket. The protagonist’s instant obsession with said outerwear then causes him to go on a killing spree, all while filming his bloody exploits. You’ll never look at deerskin clothes the same way after this ride.
