Anthony Hopkins’ Old Horror Might Be Even Better Than The Silence of the Lambs
Attention horror lovers: this slow-burn gem is a must-watch for you.
We bet that when you hear the name of Anthony Hopkins you think about his Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs (1991). In fact, he’s much of a horror performer, and it’s proved by his roles in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) and Red Dragon (2002).
However, even if you’re a die-hard fan of Hopkins, you may have missed 1978’s psychological horror starring him. It’s actually an underrated gem that deserves to be recalled more nowadays, as it passes the test of time just like The Silence of the Lambs.
Its plot follows Corky (Hopkins), an awkward magician in his career and mid-life crisis. In an attempt to become famous he adopts a new ventriloquist act with a capricious dummy named Fats, but due to nerves fails to make it for the illusionists’ TV show.
That’s why he returns to his hometown, where his high school love interest Peggy is married to a seemingly bad man. Corky persuades her to be with him, but Fats doesn’t seem to approve of this relationship, and his revenge will be extremely terrible.
This premise already seems to be of much interest, as it both involves the leitmotif of a haunted doll, that is also explored in Child's Play and Annabelle franchises, and revolves around a magician, and it’s, undoubtedly, not a typical horror protagonist.
Moreover, the suspense it puts gradually grows so that it takes time to reveal all the scary parts it is preparing for you. Thus, this flick really messes with your head, making you feel uncomfortable and wait for the danger that is just around the corner.
Titled Magic, it’s worth watching at least for the leading actor. Hopkins’ performance as a man who loses his grasp on sanity and humanity perfectly fits his more recognized role of Lecter, and it’s curious to see the actor during his rise to fame in the 1970s.
This 87%-rated gem will creep you out even more than The Silence of the Lambs and most modern horrors.
“One of my sleep paralysis demons. That movie scarred me for life,” claims Redditor @Munchkin_Media about this horrifying roller coaster of a flick.
Check out whether Hopkins’ Corky can beat Lecter, as Magic is available on Prime.