Anguish (1988)

Good concept, poorly executed.

good back-story, and good acting

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

Director and writer Bigas Luna has created a gem in Anguish.Starring Zelda Rubinstein who has also been in another classic flick, Poltergeist 1982.Also starring Michael Lerner who has also been in other classic flicks, Barton Fink 1991 and Maniac Cop 2 1990.Also starring Taila Paul.I enjoyed the cinematography, sound and violence.If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic horror flicks, Baby Blood 1990, The Beyond 1981, Pit and the Pendulum 1961, The Incredible Torture Show 1976, Blue Holocaust 1979, Borderland 2007, Brain Damage 1988, The Ring 2002, Gutterballs 2008, Candyman 1992, Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest 1995, Circus of Horrors 1960, Cronos 1993, Deep in the Woods 2000, Deranged 1974, The Descent 2005, The Descent: Part 2 2009, Evil Dead Trap 1988, Final Destination 2000, Final Destination 2 2003, Final Destination 3 2006, Final Destination 5 2011, The Fog 1980, Freddy vs. Jason 2003, The Gore Gore Girls 1972, Halloween 1978, The Hazing 2004, Horrors of the Black Museum 1959, House of Wax 2005, Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday 1993, My Bloody Valentine 1981, My Bloody Valentine 2009, Necronomican 1993, Masters of Horror: Pelts 2006, The Prowler 1981, The Ruins 2008, Saw 3D 2010, Saw IV 2007, Scanners 1981, See No Evil 2006, Seeding of a Ghost 1983, The Seventh Curse 1986, Sleepy Hollow 1999, Slither 2006, Stagefright 1981, Tenebre 1982, A Bay of Blood 1971, Grave Encounters 2011, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2013, Turistas 2006 and The Wizard of Gore 1970.

I had no idea what I was in for with this one and I was really impressed. There was actually a point in "Anguish" that I got a little nervous.It begins as a disturbed mama's boy goes crazy and, with the help of his uber-creepy mommy, starts offing people and cutting out their eyes. It's disgusting too, almost Fulci-like on the gore level at times. Then, there is the twist. I won't spoil it, but I will say this: I was not expecting it at all. I think it made the movie a lot more interesting and enjoyable.The most confusing thing to me about this film is the fact that I had never heard of it before. What the hell? It's very well done and original, great acting and awesome plot. Where has this been hiding? Thank you Blue Underground.8 out of 10, kids.

This movie plays with the audience expectations in a level and maybe it have some characteristics of the terror genre that can be seen in a lot of movies but have some features of its own that makes the movie an original one. It's clear that this movie was not made with a big budget but the cast and crew give life to an imaginative screenplay .Rubinstein and Lerner are really great here. What surprised me of this movie are the original ideas . I will not spoil you the movie at all but after watching so many movies this one still surprise me.The Spanish director Bigas Luna directed this somehow atypical movie in his career , that usually treats themes far from the terror genre or the thriller.It's a good achievement .

I first saw this film in a theater. It's the only way to get the full effect which caused me to rate it highly. In the theater you are drawn into the action. The film begins as the story of an klutzy optometric orderly who gets fired from his job because of a patient complaint. When mother finds out she goes into a frenzy exercising her hypnotic control over her son to exact horrible vengeance on all involved. Sonny then stalks his victims killing them and cutting out their eyes. As this spree progresses we suddenly are introduced to two young women and find that we are actually watching them watch a movie titled The Mommy in a theater. Another movie goer becomes hypnotized from watching the movie and goes on his own killing spree in the theater. Eventually the action in the first movie moves inside another movie theater and you find your self in a theater watching a killer's mayhem in another theater as those in that theater watch another killer's action a third theater. Naturally the killers sneak up on their victims from behind causing you to look over your shoulder every once in a while. You'll lose a lot watching this at home but it's still worthwhile seeing for it's unique style.