Watch Phobia

Phobia is a psychological horror movie from 1980 starring Paul Michael Glaser, Susan Hogan, and John Colicos. Directed by John Huston, the movie follows a psychiatrist named Dr. Peter Ross (Glaser) who is treating patients with phobias. Dr. Ross is conducting a series of experiments on his patients that involve exposing them to their fears in a controlled environment. He believes that by confronting their phobias head-on, he can help his patients overcome them. Meanwhile, he himself is struggling with his own phobia - a fear of heights.

One of Dr. Ross's patients is named Laura (Hogan), who has a phobia of being buried alive. Dr. Ross puts her in a coffin and buries her for a short period of time as part of the experiment, but when he comes back to let her out, he finds that she has died. Distraught and confused, Dr. Ross begins to investigate her death and discovers that she may have been murdered.

As Dr. Ross delves deeper into the mystery, he finds himself becoming increasingly paranoid and fearful. He starts to suspect that his colleagues and patients may be involved in a conspiracy to silence him and keep the truth about Laura's death hidden.

John Colicos plays Dr. Royson, a colleague of Dr. Ross who is also conducting his own experiments on phobias. Dr. Royson is initially supportive of Dr. Ross's work, but as the plot thickens, it becomes unclear whose side he is really on.

Phobia is a slow-burning, tense movie that explores the dark recesses of the human mind. It is a study in the power of fear and the ways in which it can consume us. The plot is complex and ambiguous, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing.

The movie's strong performances, particularly from Glaser and Hogan, make it a compelling watch. Glaser in particular brings a sense of intensity to his role as Dr. Ross, making the audience feel as though they are experiencing his mounting paranoia alongside him.

One of the most notable aspects of Phobia is its use of sound design. The movie makes extensive use of ambient soundscapes, often layering multiple sounds on top of each other to create an overwhelming sense of unease. This is particularly effective in scenes where Dr. Ross is undergoing his own therapy, as the sounds of his heartbeat and heavy breathing are amplified to an almost uncomfortable degree.

Despite being over forty years old, Phobia remains a haunting and deeply atmospheric movie that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It is a testament to the enduring power of psychological horror, and well worth a watch for fans of the genre.

In conclusion, Phobia is a movie that explores the fears that drive us and the ways in which they can be exploited. It is a tense and unnerving experience that will leave viewers questioning what is real and what is imagined. With strong performances, expert sound design, and a complex plot, Phobia is a must-watch for horror fans.

Phobia is a 1980 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.