Let's Scare Jessica to Death (2006)

DVD

Something I tend to complain about is the state of horror film today, and how it doesn't stack up against the films that came before it, or, more specifically, how they lack the edge of 1970's slasher pics. DVD technology has created a release boom that is giving priceless films of the past a chance to shine. While classics such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Dawn of the Dead have been given more than enough attention on multiple editions, smaller-known pictures of the genre are now being re-introduced to modern audiences. One recent example is the excessively titled Let's Scare Jessica to Death. Upon reading the title, I smiled gleefully and proclaimed, "Yes, let's do!" Unfortunately, a title of such uninhibited magnitude may scare Jessica, but it fails to scare me.

Jessica (Zohra Lampert) is a young woman recently released from a psychiatric hospital. After overcoming paranoia and her inner demons, she is now ready to start anew with her husband Duncan (Barton Heyman). As most horror characters do to get away from chaos, Duncan decides that Jessica should spend time recovery in countryside away from urban pressure. With longtime pal Woody (Kevin O'Connor) in tow, the trio head out to rural America for peace and quiet.

Upon arriving, Jessica is initially startled by a mysterious hippie woman (Gretchen Corbett) in her newly acquired country home. Being that the 1970's must have been a more care-free time, the three vacationers tell the anonymous dweller than she can stay with them for countless nights of dinner, conversation, and strumming folk tunes on the guitar. However, a welcoming first night eventually gives way to pure terror. Jessica cannot find solace in herself. While taking strolls, she begins to see dead bodies and mysterious figures on the property. Is she really seeing these things, or is her mental instability returning to haunt her? Jessica struggles between coming to grips with her insanity, and lashing out against the forces that could possibly be terrorizing her in real life.

There is something about 1970's horror films that are more effective at depicting the macabre. The utilization of music and cinematography are not nearly up to par with today's standards, but that is exactly what benefits these movies. Old technology provides a more rugged aesthetic. Jessica is a film that does exactly this. Its eerie synthesized score is undeniably haunting, and the cinematography relies more on eerie, stationary shots as opposed to constant motion. The look of this film is highly effective and, at times, makes this a chilling experience.

What Jessica lacks, though, is a better storyline. While this classic has been hailed by longtime fans as one of the scariest films ever, I could not quite read the film on that particular level. Jessica's initial paranoia is promising thanks to the performance from Zohra Lampert. The concept of separating truth from hallucination is maddening, and Lampert accentuates this experience for the viewer. However, this goes from a "good" maddening to a "bad" maddening. The problem with this film is that it playfully runs around in circles for too long. As Jessica becomes frustrated by discovering the truth, I could only empathize with her. In fact, this charade grows so old that it gradually loses its suspense.

There is nothing to see here.

Let's Scare Jessica to Death is an old school horror flick that truly has its moments. While I appreciate this category of terror, the film is a slight disappointment. The complete lack of extra materials does not help matters. Supposedly a remake is in the works, which I am sure will water this original down even more. I recommend that horror fans give this a rental after aimlessly wandering the video store aisle. Perhaps this oldie that is beloved by some will strike a chord.

Questions? Comments? Just want to talk movies? Drop me a line at dodd@movieweb.com