Fear - Todesangst

I saw a part of this movie on a cable channel a LONG time ago and looked all over for the movie to rent it but couldn't find it anywhere. It turns out it was on Showtime and that was the only place to see it...I finally got to watch the whole thing and really was creeped out. I liked the whole plot and the way the killer and Ally Sheedy were in each other's heads.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, but I will add, in the past, I've seen movies that I found horrifying as a young adult or even late teen but as a more let's say mature? person now, found them ho-hum or ridiculous. i hope this is not the case with this movie.

Since it's fallen into the cracks it's not to be confused with the more popular mid-nineties teen thriller of the same title starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg. Director Rockne. S O'Bannon's 1990 'Fear" is a by-the-numbers, but highly intriguing and low-key psychic / detective thriller with a maturely inspired and gallant lead performance by 80s brat pack star Ally Sheedy. There's no denying it's systematic with its developments, but the escalating psychological tension that's brewing between the two psychics' (the psychotic killer and the renowned tracker) unsettling connection is impulsively gripping and disorienting. The telepathic communication between the two is mentally nail-biting, and so is the linking POV imagery (blue tinting) of seeing what each other is doing. The harrowing material really does toy us around, drawing upon the threatening nature and adrenaline rush of creating a real sense of fear. Henry Macini's stomping, but eerie score truly gets under the skin and Robert Stevens' cinematography is sharply shot. O'Bannon keeps it sure-footed and taut; as he lets the story leisurely unfolds (giving time to explore the characters) to only break the ice with hysterically intense and twisted short pockets. Pruitt Taylor Vince's unnervingly immoral performance as the psychic murderer is nothing but convincingly good. The supporting cast featuring Michael O'Keefe, Lauren Hutton and Stan Shaw give collected and likable portrayals. Occupying an interesting cameo role at the beginning is the iconic John Agar.

Movies like this one are sold here as German-dubbed video cassettes so cheap you practically can't refuse to buy them. „Fear" was a pleasant surprise, a psycho (or rather psychic) thriller with clear references to several Hitchcock movies and also reminiscent of Italian giallos. All the elements are there: the suspense, dream sequences, absurd humorous situations, innocent victims and many people who don't believe what you tell them, however hard you try. The story is simple but it works. And there is an excellent, beautifully filmed finale on a fairground (remember „Strangers on a Train?"). The biggest treat is Pruitt Taylor Vince as the psychopath killer who sees the tables turned on him. What a talent! Why, why, why doesn't he get more and bigger roles??

this psychological suspense thriller was way better than i expected.it reminded me a lot of the 1976 movie,the Eyes of Laura Mars,starring Fay Dunnaway.not only is the subject matter very similar,but the style is also the same.instead of just being a normal by the numbers movie about serial killers,this one has the psychic ingredient added to the mix.it's not the first movie to do this.for example the aforementioned The Eyes of Laura Mars,but it does do it well.the suspense is nearly off the charts.the music by Henry Mancini has a lot to do with that.it's also not that predictable in terms of what is happening and how it ends.it isn't gory either.it's all about the suspense,or Fear,if you will.a nice refreshing change from the usual slice 'n dice,hack and slash gore-fests.not that there's anything wrong with that.by the way this is not the movie starring mark Walberg.it's with Alley Sheedy,who's pretty credible in a very serious role.for,me,Fear is a solid 8/10

At first I felt this movie might be a disappointment. There are so many movies out there that look good, seem to have a cool premise, actors, etc. but never deliver. This movie had all those hints of greatness but in the back of my mind, despite what I read about it on here and other discussion boards(which was all very positive) I still had my reservations. Eventually I took the plunge and let me tell you friends "the water's fine!" This was great. Ally Sheedy was great. (smartly typecast for her own personal quirkiness). I couldn't ask for a better director (whomever he is...sorry bub, I'll look you up after this.) I thought I had the killers identity figured out right off the bat but turns out I was wrong, wrong, wrong. This was such a refreshing experience in the thriller genre. I know I will continue to enjoy this movie for years to come.