Help Me... I'm Possessed Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Help Me... I'm Possessed Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 8, 2021

Kinks and murder compete for screen attention in 1974’s “Help Me…I’m Possessed,” which isn’t completely committed to a story of the supernatural or monster happenings, preferring to spend more time with bluntly photographed scenes of suffering. It’s an odd one from director Charles Nizet, who aims to use weird science as a way into a creature feature of sorts, with the mystery ghoul depicted as a batch of wet licorice strings coming after innocent and not-so-innocent souls. There’s entertainment value in that alone, making one wonder why Nizet works so hard to make his ridiculous story seem important.

Brutal murders are occurring near a sanitarium owned by Dr. Arthur Blackwood, with the local sheriff believing the crimes are connected to the castle. Arriving to visit her husband, Diane hopes to have a pleasant stay with Arthur, even meeting his little sister, Melody, but she begins to suspect something is happening behind the scenes at the sanitarium, which is home to violent individuals undergoing controversial behavioral therapy.

Dr. Blackwood isn’t a stable human being, and he’s surrounded by the mentally challenged in “Help Me…I’m Possessed,” including his traumatized little sister, who holds the key to a mystery entity located in a nearby cave. The police are sniffing around the sanitarium, and Diane is paying a visit, complicating things for a doctor who’s up to something in his castle, though it’s not immediately clear what that is. What’s explicit is the horror happening in the building, as inmates struggle for help, while an Igor-type assistant has fun whipping women – an act of torture Nizet is happy to linger on for as long as possible. More macabre events are presented in “Help Me…I’m Possessed,” including dismemberment, a snake attack, and action involving a guillotine, which gives the endeavor slight jumps of needed luridness, as the rest of the picture doesn’t offer much in the way of dramatic power.

Help Me... I'm Possessed Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a film print, and it's in rough shape, with lengthy and deep scratches, jumpy and missing frames, and rough reel changes. Those sensitive to such damage are warned, but wear and tear certainly adds to the spirit of the drive-in experience AFGA is going for. Detail is softer, but some textures are appreciable, and facial surfaces are acceptable. Colors are slightly washed out, but bolder hues, including red blood, retain some power.

Help Me... I'm Possessed Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a basic understanding of dialogue exchanges, battling age and low-budget equipment. Scoring isn't distinct, but appreciable. Hiss and pops are present throughout the listening event.

Help Me... I'm Possessed Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material for this title.

Help Me... I'm Possessed Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Help Me…I'm Possessed" is notable for having a bizarre creature on the loose, which Nizet carefully obscures for understandable reasons, hoping viewer imagination will do most of the heavy lifting in the horror department. And there's a mid-movie freak-out scene in the woods, which is reminiscent of Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead," possibly exposing some deep-cut influence on the 1981 cult classic. Little idea and visuals are more compelling than the overall mystery, keeping "Help Me…I'm Possessed" upright for short stretches of screen time.