Watch Asylum

Asylum is a 1972 horror movie directed by Roy Ward Baker, based on a story by Robert Bloch, who is famous for his novel Psycho. The movie stars Barbara Parkins, Richard Todd, Sylvia Syms and Peter Cushing. It is an anthology movie, with four horror stories interconnected by a larger narrative. The movie begins with a young woman named Lucy (Barbara Parkins) arriving at a remote asylum for the mentally ill to begin a new job as a nurse. She is greeted by Dr. Martin (Robert Powell) who explains to her that he wants her to interview four patients and determine which one is the true former head of the asylum, Dr. Starr, who has become deranged and is now pretending to be a patient. If she can pick the right one, she will win a job at the asylum. The first patient she meets is Bonnie (Barbara Perkins), a girl who is obsessed with her lover, who is now dead. She lives in a surreal world of her own creation, seeing her lover's ghost and enacting various violent and terrifying scenes. The second patient is Ruth (Charlotte Rampling), a former ballerina who has been driven to madness and hysteria by the harsh world of ballet. The third patient is Bruno (Richard Todd), a man who killed his wife and her lover in a jealous rage. He is now living in a delusional world of his own creation, where he imagines he is a famous musician. Finally, Lucy meets the fourth patient, who is revealed to be Dr. Starr (Peter Cushing). He quickly reveals that he has no intention of leaving the asylum, and he has plans to kill all of the staff and take over the asylum himself. He forces Lucy to participate in a bizarre and terrifying game, where she must determine which of the patients is real and which are fake, before they are all killed. Asylum is a truly unique horror movie, with a strong sense of style and imagination. Each individual story is deeply unsettling in its own way, exploring themes of madness, obsession, and the horrors of the mind. The use of vivid colors, surreal imagery, and an eerie, disorienting score all add to the sense of unease and dislocation. The acting is also superb, with each actor bringing depth and complexity to their roles. The movie is also notable for its portrayal of mental illness, which is done with sensitivity and nuance. While the patients are all clearly disturbed in various ways, the movie never reduces them to mere caricatures or monsters. Each character is given a sense of dignity and humanity, even as they descend further into madness. Overall, Asylum is a must-watch for any horror fan looking for something original and deeply unsettling. Its unique structure, striking imagery, and powerful performances make it a standout in the genre.