When it comes to remakes, expectations are often as high as the stakes for the characters within the story. And while The Spiral Staircase (1975) might have had a lot going for it—particularly its stellar cast, a strong source material, and a solid premise—what we get instead is a somewhat lackluster psychological thriller that never fully lives up to its potential. This British horror film is a remake of the 1946 classic, which in turn was adapted from Ethel Lina White’s 1933 novel Some Must Watch. The original was tense and atmospheric, but this version is mostly a drawn-out affair, clinging to clichés and underwhelming suspense.
Jacqueline Bisset: A Bright Spot in a Dull Plot
Jacqueline Bisset’s performance as Helen Mallory, a mute woman haunted by trauma after witnessing the death of her husband and daughter in a fire, is, without question, the highlight of the film. There’s a certain melancholy to her portrayal that gives the character depth, and she does a remarkable job of conveying fear and vulnerability without speaking a single word. Bisset is a solid actress, and her beauty and presence are undeniable, but even she can’t carry the weight of a film that’s often sluggish and predictable. Still, her performance is at least compelling enough to keep you watching, even when the plot drags.
The Plot: Familiar, Yet Not As Thrilling As It Should Be
The premise is a classic one—a beautiful, traumatized woman, a house full of mysterious figures, and a deadly threat lurking in the shadows. Helen Mallory, still grappling with the loss of her family, visits her elderly grandmother’s home and quickly gets tangled up in a web of intrigue. Her uncle, Joe Sherman (Christopher Plummer), a respected psychiatrist, seems well-intentioned, but his brash brother Steven (John Phillip Law) creates an atmosphere of tension and danger. Add in Blanche (Gayle Hunnicutt), the pretentious Southern belle, and a few other oddball characters, and it seems like the perfect setting for a thrilling murder mystery.
Unfortunately, the execution of this premise leaves much to be desired. The tension, which should build steadily as the characters are trapped in the dark, claustrophobic house, falls flat. What could have been a tense, nerve-wracking thriller ends up feeling more like a slow crawl to an ending that doesn’t have the emotional punch it aims for. There are moments of suspense, certainly, but they’re few and far between, and by the time the mystery is revealed, it feels more like a predictable revelation rather than a shocking twist. This film’s biggest problem is that it spends so much time building up to something, only to deliver little payoff.
Christopher Plummer: Always Reliable, But Not Enough to Save the Day
Christopher Plummer is as solid as ever in his role as the concerned psychiatrist Joe Sherman, but his character never really breaks free from the trappings of the typical “wise and somewhat mysterious figure.” The problem is that his role in this narrative feels a bit undercooked. He’s well-meaning but also, at times, uninspiring. In a film that hinges on its characters’ motivations and interactions, Plummer’s performance simply doesn’t pop the way it needs to. If anything, he feels more like a prop in the house of horrors rather than a central figure in the mystery that unfolds.
A Cast Full of Underrated Performances
John Phillip Law’s Steven Sherman is another character who seems to be stuck in the shadows of the plot. His role is intended to add conflict, but he too comes across as somewhat flat. As for the supporting cast—Sam Wanamaker as Lieutenant Fields, Mildred Dunnock as Mrs. Sherman, and Elaine Stritch as Nurse Baker—they all do their best with limited material, but they are barely given the opportunity to shine. There are moments of promise in the performances, but they’re too few to make a meaningful impact.
A Slow Burn That Doesn’t Quite Catch Fire
The pacing of The Spiral Staircase is its ultimate downfall. While the film attempts to build a slow, creeping sense of dread, it often feels like it’s stuck in neutral. Scenes linger too long without offering anything substantial, and the film’s attempts at creating suspense are frequently undercut by unnecessary filler. You’ll find yourself checking the clock as the minutes crawl by, wondering if the film is ever going to pick up the pace or reveal anything remotely exciting. When the climax finally arrives, it’s too little, too late. The payoff is predictable and doesn’t quite land with the impact it should have.
An Atmospheric, But Ultimately Forgettable Thriller
One of the few things the film gets right is its atmosphere. The isolated house setting, complete with its looming staircase and dark corridors, is as gothic and eerie as you would expect from a film of this nature. The cinematography, particularly in the more suspenseful moments, is solid enough to keep you engaged visually. It’s clear that director Peter Collinson was trying to build a sense of dread and mystery, but he seems to have focused too much on aesthetics and not enough on delivering the thrills that could have made the film memorable.
Final Thoughts: Watch If You’re a Fan of Slow-Burn Mysteries, But Don’t Expect to Be Thrilled
At the end of the day, The Spiral Staircase (1975) is a film that could have been much better than it is. With a cast that includes Jacqueline Bisset and Christopher Plummer, the potential was there for a truly engaging and atmospheric thriller. Instead, we get a movie that treads familiar ground without ever making a real impression. It’s not a terrible film, but it’s far from great. If you’re looking for a slow-burn mystery with some decent performances and a bit of atmosphere, you could do worse. But if you’re looking for something that will actually keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to keep looking. The film’s biggest crime isn’t its lack of thrills—it’s that it’s mostly just forgettable.
