Jeffrey Combs

Barbara Crampton

Jonathan Fuller

Jessica Dollarhide

Massimo Sarchielli

Elisabeth Kaza

Luca Zingaretti

Helen Stirling

Alessandro Sebastian Satta

Raffaella Offidani

Marco Stefanelli

Tunny Piras

Carolyn Purdy-Gordon

Suzanna Gordon

Jillian Gordon

Margaret Gordon

Maurizio Maggi

Albert Band

Charles Band

Mario Vulpiani

Richard Band

Bert Glatstein

Stuart Gordon

Dennis Paoli

Perry Bullington

Robert MacDonald

Tiziana Mancini

Patrick M. Griffith

Giancarlo Lucchetti

Mike Draghi

Margo Stefanelli

Daniele Massaccesi

Mario Palermi

Enrico Appetito

Pietro Tenoglio

Michael McCarty

Salvatore Alonzo

James Lawrence Spencer

Jesse Pomeroy

Richard Maxim Garcia

Jeff Mar

Cynthia Merrill

H.P. Lovecraft

Franco Vanorio

Thriller

Drama

Horror

Mystery

Castle Freak

Full Moon Entertainment

United States of America

**_Yup, there’s an ancient Italian CASTLE and a misshapen FREAK_**

An American man (Jeffrey Combs) inherits a castle about an hour’s drive north of Rome and brings his wife & daughter (Barbara Crampton and Jessica Dollarhide). The couple is troubled by the husband’s alcoholism, which caused the death of their young son. Meanwhile the teen daughter insists that someone else is dwelling in the castle. Havoc ensues.

I didn’t have high hopes for “Castle Freak” (1995) due to the blunt title and cheesy movie poster, but it’s surprisingly well done for a flick that only cost $500,000. I couldn’t help be reminded of HP Lovecraft’s “The Dunwich Horror” (1970) and therefore wasn’t surprised to find out the film was inspired by Lovecraft’s "The Outsider."

The tone and setting is similar to “Subspecies” (1991), just exchange the vampire for a contorted monstrosity. Speaking of the undead, the milieu also brings to mind Dracula flicks, like the most recent (at the time) “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992).

The first half takes its time to set up the characters, create some Gothic mood and milk suspense while the second half turns increasingly horrific and tragic. Psychologically, there are several gems to mine, like the consequences of abuse and folly, not to mention potential redemption and forgiveness in a fallen world. Culturally, this is a great flick to get a feel for pastoral Italy.

Raffaella Offidani appears on the feminine front as a chic courtesan and I couldn’t help thinking of Halle Berry. I prefer Jessica Dollarhide as Rebecca, but not enough is done with her (not talkin’ ’bout nudity or sleaze). Speaking of which, there’s some nakedness and a little passionate sex on display, as well as utterly gruesome bits. Just a heads up.

The ending was, incidentally, ripped off in “Cold Creek Manor” (2003). Meanwhile a reimaging was released in 2020 under the same title, but I have yet to see it (although the trailer is intriguing).

The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Giove & Attigliano, Italy, including the castle owned by executive producer Charles Band. The region is 45 miles due north of Rome. I shouldn’t close without mentioning Luca Zingaretti’s significant role as the sheriff.

GRADE: A-/B+

English

Italiano

svenska

Opening Scene

Lost Cat Leads Girl Straight To The Disfigured Prisoner

Videozone | Castle Freak | Horror | Jeffrey Comb | Barbara Crampton | Jonathan Fuller

CASTLE FREAK Trailer (1995) Stuart Gordon Horror

Castle Freak Trailer