976-EVIL

976-EVIL
976-EVIL
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Englund
Written by	Rhet Topham; Brian Helgeland;
Produced by	Lisa M. Hansen; Paul Hertzberg;
Starring	Stephen Geoffreys; Jim Metzler; Maria Rubell; Patrick O'Bryan; Sandy Dennis;
Cinematography	Paul Elliott
Edited by	Stephen R. Myers
Music by	Thomas Chase; Steve Rucker;
Production; companies	CineTel Films; Horrorscope Productions;
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release dates	December 9, 1988 (UK); March 24, 1989 (US);
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$3 million (US)

976-EVIL is a 1988 American supernatural horror film directed by Robert Englund,^[1] and co-written by Brian Helgeland. It stars Stephen Geoffreys, Patrick O'Bryan, Jim Metzler, Maria Rubell, and Sandy Dennis.

The film's title refers to the 976 telephone exchange, a now mostly defunct premium-rate telephone number system that was popular in the late 1980s, but has since been superseded by area code 900.

Plot

Cousins Leonard "Spike" Johnson (Patrick O'Bryan) and Hoax Arthur Wilmoth (Stephen Geoffreys) are teenagers who live with Hoax's overtly religious and domineering mother Lucy Wilmoth (Sandy Dennis). While Spike is the neighborhood motorcycle bad boy, Hoax is an introverted nerd. Even though Spike genuinely cares for his cousin and protects him from bullies, Hoax is filled with resentment that he cannot stand up for himself or succeed romantically (both of which Spike does effortlessly).

Both boys stumble upon 976-EVIL, which on the surface is just a novelty phone line that gives creepy-themed fortunes for a few dollars. However, the line is actually used by Satan to subtly corrupt mortals into his bidding. Spike loses interest in the line quickly, but Hoax soon discovers the true nature of the line and uses it to get revenge on everyone who has wronged him.

Soon Hoax's spirit is almost entirely consumed by Satan, who possesses Hoax to cause death and destruction, culminating in an opening to Hell appearing before their house. Spike confronts Hoax, but is quickly overpowered. In a desperate last ploy, he calls earnestly to his cousin, reminding him of the plans they had to take a vacation that summer.

Hoax's fleeting soul resurfaces briefly, and realizes his horrible mistake and embraces Spike, begging for help. Spike, realizing Hoax is lost and cannot be separated from the demonic presence, betrays his cousin and throws him into the pit of Hell.

Cast

Stephen Geoffreys as Hoax Arthur Wilmoth
Patrick O'Bryan as Leonard "Spike" Johnson
Lezlie Deane as Suzie
Jim Metzler as Marty Palmer
Maria Rubell as Angela Martinez
Sandy Dennis as Aunt Lucy Wilmoth
J.J. Cohen as Marcus
Darren E. Burrows as Jeff
Gunther Jenson as "Airhead"
Jim Thiebaud as "Rags"
Wendy J. Cooke as Gang Girl
Robert Picardo as Mark Dark
J.J. Johnston as Virgil
Paul Willson as Mr. Michaels
Greg Collins as Mr. Selby
Demetre Phillips as Sergeant Bell
Don Bajema as Deputy
Roxanne Rogers as Angel, The Waitress
Joanna Keyes as Suzie's Mother
Tom McFadden as Minister
Bert Hinchman as The Coroner
Cynthia Szigeti as Female Operator
John Currie Slade as John Doe
Mindy Seeger as Female Victim
Quigley The Parrot as Aunt Lucy's Parrot

Release

The film was released theatrically in the United States by New Line Cinema in March 1989. It grossed $2,955,917 at the box office.^[2]

The film was released on home video by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video the same year. VHS, and LaserDisc versions of the film are uncut and contain footage previously unseen in its original theatrical release.

The film was released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in 2002. The DVD version as well as the Crackle version are the theatrical cut. Both versions were released on Blu-ray on October 3, 2017. It was released on UK Blu-ray by Eureka Entertainment on October 19, 2020.^[3]

Critical reception

976-EVIL received a negative critical reception and currently has an approval rating of 15% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 13 reviews.^[4] The Washington Post wrote "From start to finish, 976-EVIL is a sorry, wrong number."^[5] AllMovie however defended the film, calling it "underrated".^[6] John Fallon of JoBlo.com gave the film 6/10 stars and remarked that it "could've been great stuff", but "loses its touch in its second half, relying on unsatisfying murders and "ho-hum" effects to pad it up though."^[7]

Sequel

A direct-to-video sequel entitled 976-EVIL II: The Astral Factor was released in 1992, with Patrick O'Bryan reprising his role as Spike.

References

^ Bernstein, Richard (25 March 1989). "Reviews/Film; Gruesome Toll for Teen-Age Phone Calls". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
^ "976-EVIL". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
^ Fraser, Mark (5 November 2021). "Review: "976-Evil" Makes A Miscall". Top 10 Films. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
^ "976-Evil (1989)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
^ Harrington, Richard (25 March 1989). "'976-EVIL' (R)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
^ Firsching, Robert. "976-Evil (1988)". AllMovie. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
^ Fallon, John. "976-EVIL(1988)". JoBlo.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02.

External links

[1] Bernstein, Richard (25 March 1989). "Reviews/Film; Gruesome Toll for Teen-Age Phone Calls". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-04-02.

[2] "976-EVIL". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2011-03-29.

[3] Fraser, Mark (5 November 2021). "Review: "976-Evil" Makes A Miscall". Top 10 Films. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

[4] "976-Evil (1989)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 30 March 2021.

[5] Harrington, Richard (25 March 1989). "'976-EVIL' (R)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-04-02.

[6] Firsching, Robert. "976-Evil (1988)". AllMovie. Retrieved 20 June 2012.

[7] Fallon, John. "976-EVIL(1988)". JoBlo.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02.

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