Fear is a supernatural thriller and a made-for-television film that delves into the terrifying consequences of psychic abilities and the dark side of a person's inner demons. Directed by Rockne S. O'Bannon, the movie is a suspenseful and chilling character study that focuses on the psychological horror of a person who is haunted by visions of murder.
The story centers on Cayce Bridges (Ally Sheedy), a young woman who, since a traumatic childhood incident, has possessed a unique and terrifying psychic ability. She is a "psychic investigator," a person who, upon touching an object, can receive visions of its past and future. Her gift is both a blessing and a curse. While it has made her a valuable asset to law enforcement, it has also left her emotionally and psychologically scarred. She is a reluctant hero, a woman who is constantly battling with the terrifying images that flood her mind.
The film begins with Cayce being called in by Detective Arnold (Michael O'Keefe) to assist with a series of brutal, seemingly random murders. The killer leaves no clues, and the police are at a dead end. Cayce, using her ability, is able to get a sense of the killer's presence, but her visions are fragmented and terrifying. The murders, which are violent and disturbing, begin to consume her thoughts and nightmares, leaving her on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Adding to her stress is her estranged relationship with her mother, Susan (Lauren Hutton), a woman who, while supportive, struggles to understand the dark world her daughter inhabits. Susan is a successful novelist who has always tried to shield her daughter from her own tragic past. However, as the killer's rampage escalates, Susan is forced to confront the truth about her daughter's gift and the terrifying world it has brought into their lives.
The movie’s tension builds as Cayce’s visions become more frequent and more disturbing. She begins to realize that the killer is also a psychic, and that he is deliberately toying with her, sending her visions as a form of communication. This cat-and-mouse game between two psychics is the central conceit of the film. The killer, who is a powerful and malevolent force, sees Cayce as his equal, and he is determined to destroy her.
Fear is a well-crafted thriller that relies on its atmosphere and psychological tension rather than gore. It is a story about a person who is forced to confront her own inner demons to defeat a monster. Ally Sheedy delivers a compelling performance as a woman who is both a victim and a hero. The film is a chilling and unforgettable look at the dark side of the human mind and the terrifying power of fear.
Fear is a 1990 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.
