Oh, Cathy’s Curse—where do we even begin? It’s a supernatural horror film so confused it could barely find its way out of a paper bag, much less figure out how to make a coherent movie. Released in 1977, this little Canadian-French co-production aimed to capitalize on the post-Exorcist and Carrie horror boom, and boy, did it miss the mark like a blindfolded toddler at a dartboard competition.
The Plot: Oh, the Horror (or Whatever It Is)
In 1947, a car crash. In 1977, we meet George Gimble, who, apparently out of nowhere, returns to his family’s home with his wife, Vivian, and their daughter, Cathy. Now, you’d think a family moving back into a creepy old house would raise some red flags, but no—this is just the beginning of the madness. Cathy, the 8-year-old girl with a million-dollar horror movie backstory, discovers an old doll and the portrait of her long-dead aunt, Laura, and everything goes sideways from there.
So, naturally, Cathy starts acting like an absolute nightmare. She’s mean to kids, has telekinetic powers, and—because this is a horror movie—she gets an unreasonably close bond with death, setting the stage for a plot so derivative of The Exorcist it makes you wonder if the screenwriter was just reading the plot of The Exorcist and then slapping in some new names for kicks.
In the mix of it all, Cathy becomes possessed by her dead aunt, Laura (because why not? Everyone loves a good possession tale with a confusing timeline). What follows is an hour and a half of nonsensical behavior, including a murdered nanny, telekinetic murders, and Cathy getting burned alive in some half-baked attempt at a shocking moment. But don’t worry—it’s not nearly as shocking as the realization that the movie itself might actually be an elaborate prank.
The Acting: A Masterclass in Unintentional Comedy
Let’s talk about the performances. Randi Allen, who plays Cathy, deserves some sort of award for keeping a straight face during this trainwreck. Her “possessed” performance is less chilling and more “please don’t make me do this scene” as she switches from being a bratty kid to a demonic force in record time. It’s impressive, really, how quickly she turns from crying over her lost doll to mutilating people with her mind. If that’s not a range, I don’t know what is.
Alan Scarfe (George) plays the dad who’s “totally convinced” there’s no supernatural explanation, so he spends most of the movie looking like a confused deer in the headlights. Beverly Murray as Vivian is the film’s emotional anchor… if by “anchor,” you mean a woman constantly looking like she’s in the middle of a nervous breakdown, which, to be fair, she probably was considering the script.
The real star, though, is the doll. It’s a prop that stands still, stares at you, and—surprise, surprise—acts better than some of the human cast. If that’s not a commentary on the movie’s acting, I don’t know what is.
The Horror: Like Watching Paint Dry… While Screaming
For a movie about possession and supernatural evil, Cathy’s Curse does absolutely nothing interesting. The scares are so predictable and devoid of real tension that the film becomes a sad parody of itself. The “big” moment? When Cathy reveals herself as Laura possessed and covered in burn scars—except this scene is so badly executed that it’s more funny than frightening.
The violence is over-the-top in all the wrong ways, from Cathy using her telekinetic powers to “kill” people in ways that look like the director just told her to throw things at the screen until something sticks. There’s no build-up, no real fear—just chaotic nonsense where people yell, get hurt, and the plot gets more ridiculous by the second.
The Ending: A Misfire of Epic Proportions
By the time the film reaches its nonsensical conclusion, with Cathy staring down her possessed self in some grand “showdown,” you’ll probably find yourself questioning your life choices. The final scene is about as satisfying as a soggy bag of chips. It leaves you wondering if this was all an elaborate joke—and if so, who’s the punchline?
Final Thoughts: So Bad, It’s Cult Classic Material
In the end, Cathy’s Curse deserves its cult status. It’s a prime example of a horror film that is so wrong, so derivative, and so bizarre that you can’t help but watch it. Is it scary? No. Is it good? Hell no. But it’s a trainwreck of supernatural confusion and botched performances that you can’t look away from, like a slow-motion car crash that lasts for 90 minutes. So, gather some friends, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the best worst supernatural horror film you never knew you needed in your life.
