The Mephisto Waltz
A frustrated pianist himself, music journalist Myles Clarkson is thrilled to interview virtuoso Duncan Ely. Duncan, however, is terminally ill and not much interested in Myles until noticing that Myles' hands are ideally suited for piano. Suddenly, he can't get enough of his new friend, and Myles' wife, Paula, becomes suspicious of Duncan's intentions. Her suspicions grow when Duncan dies and Myles mysteriously becomes a virtuoso overnight.
Why it matters
A sinister pact entwines virtuoso ambition and occult dread in a sunlit SoCal setting where music and possession collide.
- Alan Alda’s restrained turn as a pianist caught in otherworldly forces grounds this eerie tale in human frustration and obsession.
- Curtis Jürgens as the terminal maestro channels a chilling blend of charm and menace, evoking the devilish bargains of classic folk horror.
- A late ’60s/early ’70s occult atmosphere reminiscent of Rosemary’s Baby, trading urban claustrophobia for unsettling suburban brightness.
- For fans of supernatural body horror and the uncanny transformation of identity through dark rituals, with a haunting score that underlines the macabre waltz of fate.
Director
2 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
14
Slow Burn
66
Psychological
71
Supernatural
60
Creature
18
Disturbing
83
Fun Factor
17
Cerebral
14
Survival
0
Occult
