The 1970s introduced many genre-defining and beloved horror pinnacles like The Exorcist, The Omen, and Halloween. However, there are a number of underrated gems from the same era that are often overlooked but deserve the attention of any horror movie enthusiast.
With so many massive horror hits hitting the screens in the 1970s, it was easy for many worthy but smaller pieces to get overshadowed and eventually forgotten. From directorial debuts of now-established horror masters to the secret inspirations of the franchises to come, these 5 underrated '70s horror films are an absolute must-watch.
Tourist Trap (1979)
There's something unsettlingly creepy about almost life-like mannequins staring at the passer-by from the shops' windows —David Schmoeller took this fear and unease and multiplied it by a hundred. In his underappreciated supernatural '70s horror, a group of young people stumbles upon a roadside museum filled with spooky mannequins. Before they know it, the seemingly inanimate figures come to life and start killing them off one by one, aided by a mysterious masked figure with telekinetic powers. The plot might seem familiar and even unoriginal to the genre fans, but Schmoeller turns it into an off-the-wall crazy ride, all the while subverting expectations.
Tourist Trap's eerie atmosphere, a bizarre mix of the most effective horror elements of that time, superb slasher vibes, unnerving imagery, surprisingly decent effects, and unsettling soundtrack all make for a very particular but undoubtedly worthy and gratifying experience.
Martin (1977)
George A. Romero might have become famous for his Night of the Living Dead iconic zombie franchise, but Martin was reportedly the director's personal favorite — and for a good reason. The movie was also the first project that Romero worked on with his long-time collaborator and special effects master, Tom Savini. The plot follows a young man (John Amplas) who is convinced he's an Old World vampire, however, not restrained by any traditional repellants like religious symbols or garlic. Romero doesn't romanticize his vampire portrayal, instead presenting Martin as a somewhat confused, awkward, twisted, and depressed man.
The film is disturbingly realistic, shocking, filled with explicit gore and graphic scenes, and can be often hard to stomach. However, it is never predictable, is thought-provoking, and filled with many twists and turns. Despite exploring a seemingly familiar topic, it is fresh, exciting, and a must-watch for any genre connoisseur or Romero's fan.
Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
John Hancock's independent horror flick about a former mental institution patient, Jessica, who encounters a mysterious woman she believes to be an actual vampire, is one of the underrated '70 gems. Taking inspiration from such classic works as Henry James' The Turn of the Screw (that later became the foundation for Mike Flanagan's The Haunting of Bly Manor) and 1963 film The Haunting, Hancock leaves the audience questioning the reliability of the protagonist and her narration and second-guessing their perceptions until the very end.
Let's Scare Jessica to Death delivers an unrivaled atmosphere, slow-burn tension, and the constant feeling of unease, all the while keeping the viewers wondering what will happen next. Despite its deliberately labored pace, the film offers a foreboding horror that suddenly leaps into true terror, violently shaking the audience out of their comfort zone and leaving a long-lasting mark. This multi-layered, underappreciated '70 horror shouldn't be missed.
The Wicker Man (1973)
Not to be confused with the 2006 ridiculous remake that features Nicolas Cage and belongs on the so-bad-it's-good list, the original Robin Hardy's film stars Christopher Lee and is considered one of the best British horror films of all time. Inspired by David Pinner's novel Ritual, The Wicker Man follows a devout Christian, police officer Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), whose investigation of the disappearance of a young girl, Rowan, leads him to a remote island, inhabited by worshippers of Celtic gods. The islanders deny that the girl ever existed, hindering Howie's investigation, eventually leading him to dig deep into the pagan rituals and discover the disturbing truth.
This underrated '70s horror gem is exceptionally well researched, reportedly accurately depicts the pagan culture, and features excellent performances and brilliantly executed plot twists. Hardy admitted that he wanted to create a horror film that relied on imagination and sub-text rather than violence and gore — a task he more than succeeded in. The Wicker Man is wonderfully macabre, accompanied by authentic music, and displays topics that are still relevant today.
The Amityville Horror (1979)
Before the widely successful The Conjuring franchise ever saw the light of day, there was The Amityville Horror, the first film based on Ed and Lorraine Warren's supernatural investigations. Interestingly enough, the Warrens aren't featured in the movie, instead replaced by several religious servants brought in to rid the infamous house of its haunting. The story revolves around the Lutz family who moves into a new home where a mass murder was committed the year before. They become tormented by paranormal entities, with the father eventually getting possessed and nearly killing his entire family.
While somewhat slower in pace compared to its modern sequels, The Amityville Horror more than compensates in suspense, atmospheric tension (backed up by an excellent score that received an Academy Award), and psychological horror. Unfortunately, a disappointing 2005 remake featuring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George failed to capture the original's spirit and subtle horror, and The Amityville Horror remains a classic and a steeply of the haunted house genre.