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Frank's Movie Log

My life at the movies.

The Entity

1982 | United States | 125 min | More...
A still from The Entity (1982)
C+: 3 stars (out of 5)
on Mon Dec 21, 2020

On the surface, The Entity tells the story of single mom Barbara Hershey who finds herself under repeated, violent sexual assault from an unseen force. But just below said surface lies a scathing indictment of the patriarchy.

Everywhere Hershey turns for help, she finds men eager to dismiss, manipulate, or abandon her. First psychiatrist Ron Silver, who proves incapable of entertaining a supernatural explanation. Next, the parapsychologists, who treat her as a guinea pig in their experiments. And last, her boyfriend, who flees after encountering the malevolent force. None prove able to see beyond their own interests. She’s alone.

This subtext, along with Hershey’s fearless performance, almost overcomes the dismal third act which features a dated special effect involving a giant ice block and culminates in a non-ending.

I wanted to like this more. The performances convince and the narrative resonates, but that third act… ouch.

Viewing History

    Watched on
    Mon Dec 21, 2020 via Blu-ray