By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Full disclosure: I’m a bit high off antibiotics for diverticulitis so if none of this makes sense, blame the drugs. On any other occasion, just blame me.
BEYOND THE DOOR (1974) begins with a demon taunting Dimitri (Richard Johnson) who has been working with him. When Dimitri lets a woman who was being held captive run free, the demon threatens death. He does offer a proposition however.
If Dimitri can make certain that Jessica (Juliet Mills) gives birth, Satan will think about giving him a few more years to live. Jessica just found out she was pregnant, but freaks out when her doctor, George Staton (Nino Segurini) tells her that she’s 3 months in rather than 7 weeks. The math doesn’t work as her periods had been regular. Still, the doc initially assures her things will be fine.
They’re not. She vomits blood as she slowly gets possessed. She places a very uncomfortably long kiss on her young son Ken (David Colin Jr.) which seemingly puts him into contact with the demonic world as well.
He makes friends with the demon. In a genuinely creepy scene, his slightly older sister Gayle (Barbara Fiorini) insists that anything you can’t see doesn’t exist though she does believe dolls walk around when she’s not looking. All of the dolls end up with glowing evil eyes as demonic laughter is heard. Plates are thrown by invisible forces and the room shakes. Gayle runs to get her mother. BIG MISTAKE! Her head spins as a sinister smile comes over her. Do you believe Ken now, Gayle?!
As Jessica’s demonic symptoms get worse, her husband Robert (Gabriele Lava) enlists help from Dr. Staton. Dimitri comes by to offer his help as he feels badly and has been following Robert around to keep tabs on Jessica.
In the best scene of the film, Jessica who is in a straight-jacket for her own safety lures Robert to her. She pretends to be fine. Every fan of horror knows this is a ploy so unless the execution is PERFECT it won’t be frightening. It’s done perfect. It’s one of those things that even though you see it coming, the way in which it plays out is terrifying.
Without question, this was inspired by THE EXORCIST (1973), but it does tell its own story and does a fantastic job doing it.
The acting is incredible. Juliet Mills is wonderful in the lead. She pulls off an incredibly intense and insane performance that delivers a number of genuinely disturbing moments.
Currently, this is on YOUTUBE for free so catch it before the copyright cops get it.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
