Very few horror franchises delve into the psyche of the victim's mind with a unique antagonist. The most memorable villain was Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) because of his power to invade peoples' dreams. In this movie, instead of dreams, the danger is created by fear (which is where the title comes from). When fear is present, a spirit called Morty enters the real world. It's an interesting concept, unfortunately, the execution of this movie needs some work for it to really peak in its value of entertainment. There are a few good parts and they will be covered.This plot surfaces when a psychologist Richard (Eddie Bowz) gets a project approved for a fear therapy session up in a remote cabin owned by his parents. Upon getting there they begin to encounter strange events that are far from coincidental. Helping with the creepy factor is the character of Morty - a hand carved wooden mannequin that gives very little comfort. This particular aspect to the film is its strongest point. The suit that the actor plays in has looks of wooden textures and moves rigidly as well. Adding to that is the rickety sound that is used for every movement that Morty makes. It's very convincing that this wooden creature isn't the newest thing around. Perhaps what makes this character the most likable is the fact that he says very little. It creates mystery.The writing by Ron Ford who continues to write today, did an OK job with the concept but everything else needs work. The concept of this creature appearing when fear is in the air is different. Considering that everyone has fears, no one is safe, so that works. However, when it comes to main characters, not one actor ever has scene that means anything more than what is being shown. The motivations behind a few characters are also misguided. One minute a girl is flirting with another man, then later she finds him repulsive - ummm OK. This is just one of a couple. Also, the fact that the casting crew hired a white actor with dreadlocks - just no. In this cast there are a few actors that go on into bigger movies but do not play roles any bigger than this. Surprisingly, Wes Craven has a small part in here. What exactly did he see in this movie? Another mystery.Other than that there's the music, scares / violence and cinematography. Picture wise, it's OK. It's not bad nor is it anything worth the time mentioning. The music by Robert O. Ragland was average too. It would've been even better though if there wasn't insertions of 90s pop music. It seriously dates the film - not to mention those dreadlocks from earlier. Finally, because this is in the horror genre, the film is practically non-scary. There are a number of scenes where the viewer will question to how even the characters on screen did not see the scare coming. How do you not see something through a transparent surface? Also, for what it presents the gore is very low here. It's probably lower in blood than even John Carpenter's Halloween (1978). If you want gore, it's not your film. The concept of fear being brought to a reality is commendable and so is the actual design behind the antagonist. Yet, with writing that is unclear, poor scare tactics and other dated elements, the movie rarely works.

I give this movie a 10 for several reasons. The acting was excellent and the movie had the effect that a horror movie is supposed to elicit. This movie brings the same emotions to mind as if and when you have ever had a clown or some other doll sitting in your bedroom at night staring at you, only in this instance it is worse because the doll is a life-sized carved wooden effigy, kind of like a cigar-store Indian. There is subtle suspense throughout the movie, and gets delightfully worse at the end. The horror in this movie is both at times psychological(is it all in their heads?)and at other times actually happening. I recommend this movie to horror movie fans and it is a prized possession in my collection.

Okay, first off, stay away from the R1 DVD. It's cut/censored to the point where some scenes don't even make sense.This movie started with an interesting premise and did a pretty good job with it. It's not a typical monster/slasher and has a little bit of a psychological lean to it. It's got a mix of you and old actors so the acting tends to be pretty good especially from Ann Turkel and Vince Edwards. Even the ending was a little different from your typical hack and slash. And if you watch the VHS or R2 version you get a smattering of gore and nudity.On the other hand it was a little like the Melrose Place of horror movies, everyone was hitting on everyone and I don't think one character had any fidelity to their current relationships.It didn't succeed 100% but if you want to see something a little different horror-wise you could do worse. If you're looking for action (it drags in spots) and gore, then skip this. If you like to check out different kinds of horror movies, can get in to somewhat psychological films, and don't require stuff that's all formula this might do for a rental. Just don't set your hopes too high.

This movie would be a great movie for a true horror fan, and not so much a slasher fan like I am.. How ever, I like Horror of the old, like the Exorcist, or maybe House, that didn't have so many killings in them, where most of the people in the movie lived in the end.. That is the difference between Horror and Slasher in most cases.. I also like movies based on folk lore, and legend, like Rumpelstilskin, Pinocchio's revenge, or more known, the Leprechaun.. This movie was both.. It was made in 1995, and for a 90's horror, (not Suspense) it looked fairly good.. The production was done well for an Independent film, and for being made by A-Pix.. The actors were know ones, except Wes Craven, who as an actor, is still a know one.. And the movie takes place in a cabin, in the middle of the woods.. All great things that Horror movies posses.. Jason would have fit in well where this movie was filmed.. I like the fact that the director was not afraid to use and work with total darkness.. Most movies made today, don't have what one would call real darkness.. Most scenes in movies that are dark are not dark at all.. This way the viewer can see what is going on all around the actors.. Mostly movies like the original Halloween's and Friday the 13th's have true darkness.. Like the original Halloween and many other movies, this film builds up the characters and the bad guy, so that you don't really know what's going on, but if you watch you will find out.. This movie would make a good beginning for a great series, that would end up turning into a Slasher, with a killer that could be compared to Freddy, or the Wishmaster in the long run.. I was happy to see a sequel after this movie.. The #1 down fault is the fact that the movie was made in 1995 and not 1985, or 1975, because if it was, than this movie would have a long chain going now, and would be a classic.. But it was made too late, with not enough special affects for the times.. See when people watch a horror movie that is 15 to 20 years old, and the acting is bad or it doesn't look that good, they don't care so much because they just figure that the movie is so old, and that is why it looks bad, and that is why they can watch, and even more, they can like it.. But when a movie is made today, they have to say it sucks if the picture doesn't look like a top rate film, or if the acting seems to be lacking in a way.. The funny thing is that Horror movies have always had bad acting and a lousy picture, that was the idea, it made things look more scary and maybe more real to life, as far as who was filming goes.. Just look at the first Friday The 13th.. It looks old right? made in 1980 as a matter of fact, but at the same time Rocky was made in 1976 and part 2 in 1979.. Star Wars was made in 1977, and Empire Strikes Back in 1980, all four movie's looked much better than Friday The 13th.. of course Star Wars has been Redone now, but the Original copies still look fine.. a little old but fine... So go rent this movie pop it in the DVD or VHS player, and tell yourself this is a late 70's early 80's HORROR movie, and if you are a real fan of horror, you will like it!! Cause if not "Black Peter will Get Ya!!" or maybe just Morty..LOL Or maybe not..