Is How Awful About Allan Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, How Awful About Allan is likely a skip if you enjoy Thriller movies.
It features a runtime of 74 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.

Verdict:How Awful About Allan is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 5.8/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Thriller, TV Movie, Horror genre.
Answer: Maybe not, How Awful About Allan is likely a skip if you enjoy Thriller movies.
It features a runtime of 74 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1970, How Awful About Allan emerges as a significant entry in the Thriller, TV Movie, Horror domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of After an eight-month stay in a mental hospital, a tormented man comes home to live with his sister; but a mysterious boarder may be trying to kill him. Unlike standard genre fare, How Awful About Allan attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and How Awful About Allan features a noteworthy lineup led by Anthony Perkins . Supported by the likes of Julie Harris and Joan Hackett , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
In summary, our editorial assessment of How Awful About Allan (1970) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Quick Plot Summary: How Awful About Allan is a Thriller, TV Movie, Horror film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Breakdown: How Awful About Allan attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of How Awful About Allan reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Consider Watching If:







CultpixAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.8/10, and global collection metrics, How Awful About Allan stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1970 cinematic year.
How Awful About Allan has received mixed reviews with a 5.8/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
How Awful About Allan is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Thriller, TV Movie, Horror movies, but read reviews first.
How Awful About Allan is currently available for streaming on Cultpix. You can also check for it on platforms like Cultpix depending on your region.
Pretty decent moody, intense, creepy psychological thriller with two of my favourite thespians in that department--Anthony Perkins and Julie Harris. It's a tad claustrophobic and difficult to get into at the start, because of this aforementioned intensity, but if you stick with it, it's quite intrinsically rewarding and definitely not a late-night waste of 90 minutes. When Perkins' 'Allan' picks up a picture and says, 'Mother,' I couldn't help but smile. What an interesting and ill-fated actor.
I had previously read about director Curtis Harrington in Barron's excellent book for cinephiles, '501 Movie Directors', though I had unfortunately not been able to find any of his films before this. He definitely has fine technique for getting across moodiness and suspense, at least in this type of film. Hopefully I'll eventually find and watch all of his work. 'How Awful About Allan' is a pretty decent moody, intense, creepy psychological thriller with two of my favourite thespians in that department--Anthony Perkins and Julie Harris. It's a tad claustrophobic and difficult to get into at the start, because of this aforementioned intensity, but if you stick with it, it's quite intrinsically rewarding and definitely not a late-night waste of 90 minutes. When Perkins' 'Allan' picks up a picture and says, 'Mother,' I couldn't help but smile. What an interesting and ill-fated actor.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.