The Devonsville Terror

The Devonsville Terror is a lot moodier than I expected. It spends most of its time building this ugly little town full of paranoia, superstition, and men who are way too comfortable deciding which women they think are “dangerous. ” Suzanna Love gives the movie a good center, and Donald Pleasence showing up automatically adds some extra horror credibility.

I like that it doesn’t rush the witchcraft angle. The movie lets the tension simmer for a while, then finally goes completely off the rails with that wild effects-heavy ending. That payoff is where the whole thing really clicked for me.

The Blu-ray presentation is excellent too. Vinegar Syndrome restored it in 2K from the 35mm internegative, and the extras are stacked with cast, effects, makeup, and director interviews. The limited spot-gloss Haunt Love slipcover looks killer in person too.

Creepy, mean-spirited, weird, and very much its own little ’80s horror oddity. Easy one to keep in the collection. 😁

Great upgrade from the Anchor Bay DVD release, and also comes with 8 special features.

It has a genuinely eerie, folk-horror atmosphere and an unsettling tone that hooks you early on, but it suffers from a painfully slow burn that drags far too often. Some creepy moments and a wild climax, but the plodding pacing makes getting through the middle act feel like a bit of a chore.

Goes back and forth between creepy and hilarious. The acting, script and effects are all terrible but it has a certain charm. The HD transfer really brings out the cinematography, it is shot well.

Definite terror!!