161: The Seventh Victim

US  71m  Dir: Mark Robson  Key Cast: Kim Hunter

Original Screenplay

This is sort of the second installment of the RKO Radio Pictures Cinematic Universe as the character of Dr. Judd, played by Tom Conway, appears here having previously appeared in Cat People. The continuity is somewhat confused as he references a previous patient who we assume is Irena from Cat People but Judd died at the end of that film so it doesn't really fit. 

Much of this film feels more like a noir than a horror. It sees Mary Gibson (Kim Hunter) head to New York to find her missing sister Jacqueline. It's gradually clear that people are hiding things and it eventually transpires that Jacqueline was part of a Satanic Cult who want to kill her for blabbing about the Cult's existence to Dr. Judd.

It's a hugely atmospheric film in the same way as the crime noirs. This is a New York City where everyone has something to hide and that something is often the fact that they worship the devil. It's another of those films which feels like inspired so many subsequent films with the Satanic Cult now a familiar trope in horror films. There's also a scene where Kim Hunter is frightened by an intruder whilst she is in the shower which feels very Psycho. 

It's frustrating to me that the plot doesn't really go anywhere. Mary spends an absolute age meeting people and investigating the disappearance and is gradually drip-fed information. It's not a long film but it feels like it and the film spends so long on the investigation when it was Jaqueline who is the most interesting character. 

Jaqueline is a fascinating character who comes across as quite nihilistic. On the other hand it feels like she was duped into this cult and doesn't really want to be part of it, hence telling Dr. Judd about it, but it's not as simple as simply leaving. There's no supernatural element here and actually the cult represents real-world cults quite well. 

The ending of the film is shocking and not where I thought the film would go. There's an inevitability about it with all the elements set up quite quickly but as a viewer you're so used to the threat being introduced and overcome that it's surprising when it isn't overcome and the worst happens. 

Slow at times and you can tell it was messed around with during the editing process but superbly atmospheric with a fantastic if unsettling ending.