The Changeling (1980)
Movie Info
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Cast
as John Russell
as Claire Norman
as Sen. Joe Carmichael
as DeWitt
as Joanna Russell
as Dr. Pemberton
as Eugene Carmichael
as Eugene Carmichael
as Mrs. Norman
as Mrs. Norman
as Eva Lingstrom
as Prof. Robert Lingstrom
as Elizabeth Grey
as Minnie Huxley
as Leah Harmon
as Albert Harmon
as Tuttle
as Security Guard
as Linda Grey
as Sergeant Durton
as Secretary
as Estancia
as Doorman
as Terry Grey
as Coroner
Critic Reviews for The Changeling
All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (4) | DVD (4)
The Changeling is a superior haunted house thriller.
The leaps made by Scott's agile mind in identifying both victim and usurper leave logic and credence on the starting block.
If it only took craftsmanship to make a haunted house movie, The Changeling would be a great one.
The Changeling is an icily tense horror which bathes its events in an eerie and otherworldly atmosphere.
Director Peter Medak opts for exposition and atmosphere over jump-scares and other cheap dramatic devices.
Sharing much of its cinematic DNA with the type of captivating, classy horror Hollywood had been producing at the time, where it deviates from this, it does so in genuinely fascinating ways, not least in the emotionally brutal ending.
Audience Reviews for The Changeling
An engaging ghost story that deserves more credit for its twisty plot, uncomfortable atmosphere and Medak's refined direction than for being actually scary (even though it does have its creepy moments), and it boasts a very fine performance by George C. Scott.
Super Reviewer
The actual haunting of the house, where John Russell (Scott) resides, is handled with craftsmanship and delicacy by director Peter Medak. The tell-tale gothic mansion, the deep bass thuds in the house's walls like a giant's knocks, and the quiet whispering of a child's voice, make this a very ably made haunted house story. While the story behind the haunting, and the search for the truth behind it, make for a really interesting mystery, it's such a strange assemblage of scenes. In the first part of the film we see Russell widowed and he begins teaching composition at a university. When he begins to be haunted, he realizes it almost immediately, goes searching for the truth, and finds it. Russell is never frightened by the ghost, only inquisitive about its origins. He doesn't mind picking up human bones, threatening people, and talking to the ghost in question. Even big old George C. Scott must get scared sometimes, but in this film he's fully self-possessed and seems unable to approach fear. The connection between him and his dead daughter is severed once we indulge in finding out the truth about the ghost, which makes me wonder why he's widowed at all. While the film itself was intricate and complex in the best of ways, there really wasn't anything frightening about it, which is a shame when watching a film about a ghost story.
Super Reviewer
three stars!!!
Super Reviewer
The Changeling Quotes
| John Russell: | What do you want from me?! I did every thing I could! |