Cast
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Kate Nelligan
as Ruth Hession
Ken Howard
as Joe Buckley
Howard Hesseman
as Charles Galloway
Madge Sinclair
as Sgt. Ashcroft
Jonelle Allen
as Maydene Jariott
Pamela Dunlap
as Nina Blygelder
Amy Madigan
as Chloe Brill
Rose Portillo
as Pilar Galloway
Sherry Hursey
as Susan Arthur
Karmin Murcelo
as Nellie Ramirez
Bert Remsen
as Lt. McClain
Michael C. Gwynne
as Attorney Walters
Alex Henteloff
as Judge Armand Golds
Charles Sweigart
as J. Winowski
Rosanna Huffman
as
Crew
Director
- Jerrold Freedman
Producer
- Douglas Benton
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Drama/Thriller/TV Movie/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Victims presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Jerrold Freedman brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1982, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Victims took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 92 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 138 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1982, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Victims shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Violated, which focuses more on action than character development, Victims subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Cape Fear and The Rules of Attraction explore similar territory, Victims stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: January 11, 1982
- Runtime: 1h 32m
