A masterpiece of mood and a layered film of complex themes and interpretations, The Innocents (1961) is one of the most influential and quintessential horror films of the era. Directed by Jack Clayton (who also directed the underrated Disney classic: Something Wicked this Way Comes (1983)), the film has been an influence on countless horror movies since including most recently, Del Toro’s Crimson Peak (2015) – Del Toro actually puts The Innocents in his top 10 favorite horror films of all time.
Deborah Kerr (known for The King and I and other classics) gives her career-best performance as a governess, tasked with watching over two children in an old, lonely, gothic mansion when she begins to learn of sinister goings on in the past and starts to see ghosts. In addition, the children exhibit increasingly disturbing behavior that forces the audience to wonder if what they’re seeing is real or the ravings of a crazed mind.
Themes of repression, psychological horror, and the curious actions of creepy little children build to a dramatic conclusion that’s both unsettling and intriguing. This is a film that rewards multiple viewings because of its depth. The cinematography is gorgeous, every frame beautiful, the lighting, the shadows, it still looks great in glorious black & white today. The perfect Halloween night movie.