Scary as hell for its first half, Koepp’s very impressive thriller
becomes a compelling study of obsession in the second. Its blue-collar
milieu makes for a refreshing change, as Bacon’s ordinary Joe,
hypnotised for fun one night by his hippy sister-in-law (Douglas),
becomes a 'receiver' of terrifyingly inexplicable images which seem
to be coming from beyond the grave. His relationship with his wife (the
excellent Erbe) begins to fall apart when he starts ripping up the
floorboards of their house, convinced that a body is buried
underneath. Remarkably taut, stylish and intelligent, it makes great
use of the Rolling Stones’ Paint it Black.
