Watch Academy of Terror

Academy of Terror is a horror movie from 1987 directed by John Brosnan. The film follows a group of college students who embark on a weekend trip to an isolated mansion located in the countryside as a means to celebrate their chosen sorority's homecoming. What they don't know is that the mansion used to be an academy for wayward boys where, ten years prior, a tragedy occurred where the sons of the wealthy families - who were enrolled in the academy - were brutally murdered.

As the college students celebrate and make themselves at home, they begin to experience strange and terrifying nightmares, which spark suspicions about the house's dark and hidden past. Soon after that, the group starts to witness a series of bizarre events and episodes of paranormal activity, proving that there's far more to the old mansion than they originally thought. The students then realize that they are not alone, and are being stalked by an unknown killer.

As the film progresses, the group comes to discover that the mansion has a particularly nasty history. The previous owner of the mansion, Mr. Mullins, was both the headmaster and caretaker of the academy. He had grown infatuated with one of the students named Belinda, and when she spurned his advances, he flew into a rage and murdered her before hanging himself in the mansion's attic. By the end of the weekend, the students find themselves in a fight for their lives against the vengeful spirit of Mr. Mullins and his ghastly victims.

Academy of Terror is a low-budget horror film with a variety of familiar tropes that many horror fans will appreciate. It follows a typical slasher-style formula with a whodunit element. The characters' relationships are also an integral part of the film's overall narrative, and these often take precedence over the horror aspects. The production quality of the movie is quite low, and the special effects are not particularly convincing, which can take away from the overall creepiness. However, despite its limitations and lack of scares, the film manages to maintain an atmosphere of tension and dread throughout, adding to the overall entertainment value.

One of the notable things about Academy of Terror is the sense of humor that the movie carries along with its horror elements. The film has a self-awareness and isn't afraid to poke fun at some of the standard horror clichés such as the young lovers that sneaks off into a room and never come back, the elderly caretaker who warns them of the dangers of staying in the mansion or the police officer that warns them about breaking the law. These cliches are well executed, and they blend well with the rest of the film's elements.

The overall cast of characters in the film is also entertaining, with a variety of personalities and motives that make for good horror dynamics. Each character has their own unique quirk or personality, and this helps the audience form a connection with them, creating a sense of urgency when the danger arrives. Brian Sheridan, who plays the role of Peter, is the ostensible hero and leads the charge in solving the mystery of the mansion's past. Kelly Carmichael, who plays the role of Tricia, is the classic final girl, who outlasts everyone else and becomes the last survivor.

In conclusion, while Academy of Terror may not offer a wholly original take on the horror genre, it remains an entertaining low-budget horror film that delivers enough thrills, suspense, and dark humor without taking itself too seriously. With its clichéd characters, predictable twists, and cheesy special effects, the movie amounts to a somewhat uneven but enjoyable horror thriller. So, if you're in the mood for a 1980s horror film with some classic slasher elements, Academy of Terror may be worth checking out.