Invitation to Hell

Invitation to Hell
Invitation to Hell DVD Box cover
Directed by	Wes Craven
Produced by	Robert M. Sertner Frank von Zerneck
Written by	Richard Rothstein
Starring	Robert Urich Joanna Cassidy Susan Lucci
Music by	Sylvester Levay
Cinematography	Dean Cundey
Editing by	Ann E. Mills Gregory Prange
Studio	Moonlight Productions
Distributed by	American Broadcasting Company Artisan Entertainment Castle Communications Elephant Films Kasino Video Sony Video Videocast
Release date(s)	May 24, 1984
Running time	96 minutes
Country	USA
Language	English

For other uses of the word Succubus, or movies involving Succubi, see Succubus (disambiguation).

Invitation to Hell is a 1984 made for TV movie. In this movie, one of the characters has Succubus-like abilities, powers, and motivations.

Overview

• Title: Invitation to Hell
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003
• Original Release Date: May 24, 1984
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• ASIN: B00009YXGW

Cast

Robert Urich	Matt Winslow
Joanna Cassidy	Patricia 'Pat' Winslow
Susan Lucci	Jessica Jones
Joe Regalbuto	Tom Peterson
Kevin McCarthy	Mr. Thompson
Patty McCormack	Mary Peterson
Bill Erwin	Walt Henderson
Soleil Moon Frye	Chrissy Winslow
Barret Oliver	Robbie Winslow
Nicholas Worth	Sheriff
Virginia Vincent	Grace Henderson
Greg Monaghan	Pete
Lois Hamilton	Miss Winter
Cal Bartlett	Stepson
Anne Marie McEvoy	Janie

Plot Summary

When a family moves to a suburban California neighborhood, everything is going great. The neighbors are nice, the neighborhood is clean, and there is a local health spa close to their house that everyone in the town belongs to. At first they consider joining it until their neighbors and co-workers hassle them constantly for not doing it right away. They start to get a little suspicious towards why they are so interested in them joining, but not the point where they think something is wrong. The wife and kids are up for it, but the dad is skeptical and fears a bit of evil in the spa. Is the dad just a little superstitious or is the spa really a Invitation to Hell?

Critical Review

The following review is from the Amazon.com listing in the External Links below:

• 4 out of 5 stars
• Another old one from Craven
• Reviewed On: October 24, 2008
• Reviewed By: THE MAIN MAN "Wrestleanimaniac"

Matt Winslow (Robert Urich) takes his family and move to California after landing a high position for a big corporation. They end up meeting a woman named Miss Jones (Susan Lucci) who owns a country club resort. Matt notices the changes in everyone who has joined the club and is very cautious of it. His wife on her own joins the club and Matt soon feels like a stranger in his own home.

I actually enjoyed this one. This isn't one of Craven's usual slashers that we know him so well for today. "Invitation to Hell" is a character driven movie that explores the depths of ones desires and deceit. Robert Urich gives a good performance and his wife Patricia (Joanna Cassidy) plays a very good role as the power & wealth motivated wife. Susan Lucci also stands out with her role as the seductive little she devil.

The movie works its horror through the family's dilemma. Simply due to Matt's unacceptance by his own family and his struggle trying to understand what exactly is going on. Gore and pure horror through fright is non existent. And the body count is very low with some cheap deaths, except for one. I recommend this to those looking for something less barbaric. But with a story that is easy to relate to.

External Links

• Invitation to Hell at the IMDb.
• Amazon.com DVD Listing