I’d heard of this 1980 horror film for years and always meant to see it. About an hour in, I realized I had a very specific memory from when I was a kid in elementary school and another kid described a scene that I now realized came from the film. (It’s a little disturbing he was allowed to watch the film but, hey, that was the 80s.)

It’s always nice to close those loops.

So what is the story here? Barbara Hershey plays a mother of three who is struggling to make life work. One day, after a session at typing school, she comes home, lies in bed, and is sexually assaulted.

The problem is that no one is there.

Was she attacked by a ghost?

The short answer is yes, or, if not a ghost, some kind of entity (perhaps a demon).

She visits a psychologist, played by Ron Silver, who is sympathetic but clearly thinks her issues are mental, not metaphysics, and related to her childhood sexual abuse.

But the attacks continue, becoming more blatant and performed in front of witnesses. Eventually, the protagonist attracts the attention of parapsychologists who attempt solutions.

It’s a weird, creepy, disturbing film.

Part of what makes it so is the soundtrack. The assault scenes are powered by pounding onslaughts of percussion and dissonance – like the violins in Psycho pumped up by 300%.

Hershey offers a sympathetic character; I’ve long considered her an underrated actress.

Also of note: the movie is based on an actual case, though clearly liberties were taken. (At least, I hope so.)

I give it a strong recommendation if you can handle the subject matter.