There's one movie that comes up a lot when talking about classic horror/thriller movies from the 70s. That movie is Don't Look Now, and I have heard about it for years. However, I only just got around to watching it and I quickly found out why it is considered a classic.
Don’t Look Now is one of the most hauntingly beautiful and psychologically intense horror films from the 1970s, a decade that gifted horror fans with some of the genre’s finest classics. Directed by Nicolas Roeg and based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier, this chilling tale stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie as a married couple grappling with the sudden, tragic death of their young daughter. Through its bleak Venice setting, complex narrative, and slow-burning dread, Don’t Look Now has cemented itself as an unforgettable modern classic that uniquely explores grief and the supernatural.
Plot Summary
The film opens with a harrowing scene: John and Laura Baxter (Sutherland and Christie) are living in England when their young daughter Christine drowns in the pond outside their home. The traumatic event devastates the couple, and we see the emotional toll of their loss throughout the movie. To distance themselves from the tragedy, they relocate to Venice, where John has taken on a church restoration project.
In Venice, Laura encounters two elderly sisters, one of whom claims to be a psychic who has seen Christine’s spirit and insists the child is happy in the afterlife. Despite initial skepticism, Laura becomes convinced of the woman’s psychic abilities and finds solace in the notion that Christine is at peace. John, however, is doubtful and increasingly disturbed by strange visions, including glimpses of a small figure wearing a red coat similar to the one Christine wore the day she died.
As the couple’s time in Venice unfolds, eerie and disorienting events escalate. John is plagued by unsettling visions, encounters with Venice’s dark alleyways, and surreal reflections that seem to allude to a terrifying conclusion. Tension builds as John tries to dismiss his experiences as hallucinations, but it becomes clear that something much more sinister is at play. In a heart-stopping final sequence, he confronts the elusive figure in red, leading to an ending that’s as shocking as it is haunting.
Why Don’t Look Now is a Modern Classic
Don’t Look Now resonates as a modern horror classic largely due to its innovative approach to horror, emphasizing psychological tension over gore or traditional scares. Nicolas Roeg’s non-linear storytelling and the film’s infamous use of symbolic visual motifs, particularly with the color red, give the movie a unique, almost dream-like quality. Venice itself becomes a character—its labyrinthine streets, crumbling buildings, and reflective canals create an atmosphere of claustrophobic dread, setting the perfect stage for the story’s supernatural elements.
Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie deliver unforgettable performances, capturing the rawness of grief and the strain it places on their relationship. Their portrayal of a couple teetering on the edge of emotional breakdown brings a deeply human element to the horror. This is particularly evident in the film’s famous love scene, which is both intensely intimate and heartbreakingly vulnerable—a moment that speaks to the depth of their connection and the fragility of their world.
Themes of Grief and the Supernatural
Don’t Look Now is a haunting exploration of grief and loss, where the supernatural horror only amplifies the emotional horror. The film taps into the psychological effects of bereavement, as John and Laura’s unprocessed grief becomes an entry point for supernatural forces. The story suggests that trauma leaves us vulnerable, both psychologically and spiritually. This theme is timeless, and the film’s ambiguity about whether John’s visions are real or a symptom of his emotional state keeps audiences unsettled and engaged.
Legacy and Influence
Don’t Look Now has inspired generations of horror films that lean into the cerebral and atmospheric rather than relying solely on jump scares. Directors like Ari Aster (Hereditary) and Robert Eggers (The Witch) often cite Don’t Look Now as an influence, and it’s easy to see why: the film’s meticulous pacing and unsettling visuals make horror feel inescapable, like a slow descent into madness.
Its legacy continues not only because of its terrifying moments but because it reflects a universal fear—losing someone we love and the dark, often unknowable emotions that follow. For fans of psychological horror and anyone interested in the artistry of the genre, Don’t Look Now remains essential viewing, offering a slow-burn horror experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
In short, Don’t Look Now is a masterpiece that goes beyond scares, presenting horror that’s as much psychological as supernatural, cementing its status as a true modern classic.
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