I’m surprised at the number of vintage horror/thriller films I’ve run across lately that I’ve never heard of before. Case in point is this classic gem, WHAT THE PEEPER SAW. While more of a thriller than an actual horror film, this one still certainly merits watching. It is well made and has an amazingly satisfying ending that I never saw coming. Intriguing and intense, WHAT THE PEEPER SAW is an excellent entertainment experience I highly recommend.
If you are not familiar with WHAT THE PEEPER SAW, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of VCI Entertainment:
In this stylish and atmospheric psychological thriller, a wealthy author's wife's comfortable life turns into a terrifying nightmare when her young stepson starts exhibiting strange behavior. The fiendish child is out to destroy all the trust and love between his father and stepmother with his surreptitious pranks. Horror unfolds as the boy devilishly plots to drive a wedge deeper and deeper between them. But is the child really a fiend, or is he the victim of his neurotic stepmother s paranoia?
I really had no expectations going into this one. I was hoping it would be good, but I’ve been disappointed in the past with foreign thrillers. Thankfully, this film turned out to be great.
WHAT THE PEEPER SAW is shot well and looks good onscreen. The cinematography is not exotic or artistic, but it doesn’t need to be to tell the story. The picture quality is excellent, with the HD transfer offering vibrant colors and clear imagery. As I never saw the VHS or previous DVD quality, I cannot compare it; however, the Blu-ray is the way to watch this one.
The acting is very good, with Mark Lester offering a powerful performance as Marcus. Lester plays the diabolical youth like a pro, and his chilling persona lingers in the memory long after the movie is over. Likewise, Britt Ekland does an excellent job as Marcus’ stepmother, Elise. The onscreen chemistry between these two is very interesting, and they play off each other well.
The storyline in WHAT THE PEEPER SAW is a big part of what makes this film so engaging. What starts off as a seemingly innocent situation quickly spirals into madness. And the grand finale is unexpected yet fun, so when it arrives, the viewer doesn’t know whether to gasp in surprise or clap for joy.
WHAT THE PEEPER SAW is a big win for me, and I suggest it to anyone looking for a good, solid thriller. The film was a bit controversial for its time due to some of the subject matter, so be forewarned: it won’t be for everyone. Check out IMDB for the scoop on the film’s content. If that doesn’t concern you, then pick up this one for sure.
Score: 5/5