In 1970, a film came to the Brooklyn Horror festival. As it started to roll, a black screen with white text flashed up with a warning:

This was ‘Antrum’, the terrifying movie that shocked the world.

Horror movies are meant to make their audience feel uneasy. Without the suspense, the harsh violin chords warning them of the impending danger, many of these films would, quite frankly, be pretty dull. Jumpscares substitute for poor CGI or drab costumes that hardly disguise the sweating actor underneath them. In the 21st century, we have become more and more immune to violence and horror. The proliferation of war driven video games, eye-opening media coverage, and realistic special effects, make it extremely challenging for filmmakers to create movies that incite more than an extra palpitation. The word ‘horror’ itself comes from the Greek meaning ‘shudder’. Needless to say, many of these movies would not be classed as ‘horror’ if this was their criterion.

Back in 1970, filmmakers David Amito and Michael Laicini saw this was a problem. They had to think of something original. This was how they came up with the idea of ‘Antrum’ AKA ‘The Deadliest Film Ever Made’. Because who could resist the biggest thriller of all, the thought that by watching it they would be putting their life on the edge? 

Overview

The film itself is about a demonic movie tape called ‘Antrum’ mysteriously appearing in various locations, first in Belgium in 1979 and then in Budapest. It resurfaces in 2018, and a documentary crew decipher its subliminal messages, which occur throughout the film. The tape they watch documents two children, out in the woods, who chant mysterious litanies to conjure spirits. This, of course, has fatal consequences.

Reception

‘Antrum’ has garnered mixed reviews from critics. Some, like the Nightmarish Conjurings, believe the directors had ‘excelled at making a film both fascinating and deeply odd’. Others were not so sure. Whatever you think of it, Antrum has become a point of interest for critics and filmmakers alike, for its uniqueness, scariness and its killer effects. 

Antrum is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.

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