Review: Cursed Films Season 1, Ep. 2 & 3

Shudder dropped the second and third episodes of their new docu-series Cursed Films late last week. And, like the first, these episodes explore the notorious stories behind high-profile Hollywood horror hits.

The second episode has filmmaker Jay Cheel digging into the alleged Satanic goings on behind The Omen. Through interviews with director Richard Donner and producer Mace Neufeld, as well as discussions with scholars, skeptics, and even a practitioner of black magic, he explores whether or not the film was targeted by Satan.

Much like the subject of the third episode, Poltergeist, there were a number of deaths, accidents and "near misses" associated with The Omen's cast and crew; to the point where a real-life death mirrored the classic beheading sequence. Was this the work of the Devil? Or mere coincidence?

Cheel leans toward coincidence, which is also the opinion of Donner and Neufeld. The episode leaves us with the thought that we find what we look for. If we want to see the Devil's influence on The Omen, we will.

The Poltergeist episode focuses on the death of stars Dominique Dunne and Heather O'Rourke, and details how the tragedies caused many to believe the film was cursed... possibly because of allegations real skeletons were used in the climactic pool sequence. An interview with the special-effects artist who built the skeletons puts that rumour to bed.

Of particular interest is an interview with Poltergeist III director Gary Sherman, who wanted to scrap that film due to O'Rourke's death. Studio influence prompted its completion and release, much to Sherman's chagrin.

I'm giving these episodes a Good, and look forward to more later this week.

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