Hysterical
Frederic Lansing is a writer who hopes to find inspiration while vacationing in Hellview, Oregon; however, the lighthouse in which he's staying is haunted by the ghost of Venetia, who had killed herself 100 years ago and now wants to use Lansing as a vessel for her dead husband, Captain Howdy. When Howdy's ghost starts killing people, two bumbling scientists are brought in to investigate the history of the lighthouse and solve the case.
Why it matters
A quirky blend of haunted house chills and absurdist comedy that captures early ’80s genre cross-pollination at its oddest.
- A cult oddity mixing genuine ghost story vibes with slapstick and satire—think Poltergeist meets The ‘Burbs in a funhouse mirror.
- Vincent Price lends his iconic horror gravitas as one of the bumbling scientists, grounding the chaos with classic charm.
- Practical effects and eerie lighthouse atmosphere deliver a moody backdrop that horror completists will appreciate despite tonal whiplash.
- Not for those seeking tight scares or coherent plotting, but a treat for fans of offbeat haunted house experiments and early ’80s horror-comedy hybrids.
Director
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
17
Psychological
14
Supernatural
60
Creature
0
Disturbing
0
Fun Factor
83
Cerebral
0
Survival
33
Possession
