Messiah of Evil
Performance & Direction: Messiah of Evil Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Messiah of Evil (1975) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Messiah of Evil features a noteworthy lineup led by Marianna Hill . Supported by the likes of Michael Greer and Joy Bang , 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.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Messiah of Evil (1975) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Messiah of Evil
Quick Plot Summary: Messiah of Evil is a Horror, Mystery film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Messiah of Evil
Ending Breakdown: Messiah of Evil concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Messiah of Evil reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Messiah of Evil?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Top Cast: Messiah of Evil
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Messiah of Evil Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
CultpixMessiah of Evil Parents Guide & Age Rating
1975 AdvisoryWondering about Messiah of Evil age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Messiah of Evil is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, Messiah of Evil is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1975 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Messiah of Evil worth watching?
Messiah of Evil is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Messiah of Evil parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Messiah of Evil identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Messiah of Evil?
The total duration of Messiah of Evil is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.
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Critic Reviews for Messiah of Evil
**_I see "Dead People"_** A woman (Marianna Hill) goes to the California coastal town of Point Dune to visit her artist father, but can't find him and runs into a guy (Michael Greer) and his two female companions (Anitra Ford & Joy Bang). They discover that there are mysterious and peculiar things going on in town, which eventually take a deadly turn. "Messiah of Evil" (1973) is an American film with a misleading title; it was originally called "Dead People," which is more fitting. The flick has a haunting ambiance, effectively combining elements of "Carnival of Souls" (1962), "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and "Let's Scare Jessica to Death." It's on par with the first two, but not great like "Night," a classic horror masterpiece. If you don't remember Marianna Hill, the doe-eyed protagonist, she was one of the most beautiful women to appear on the Original Series of Star Trek, specifically the episode "Dagger of the the Mind" as Dr. Helen Noel. The movie is a must for fans of her since she is prominently featured. The title "Messiah of Evil" is too generic and gives the impression that the story prominently features a weirdo dark Christ-figure, but this is hardly the case. The dark messiah is ambiguous and barely featured. A more fitting title would be "Village of the Dead" or something to this effect. In any case, many hail it as a moody horror masterpiece from the early 70s. It has a few highlights and is mandatory viewing for 60s-70s mystery/horror aficionados and admirers of the lovely Marianna Hill. Unfortunately, it's actually kind of boring and the whole "dark messiah" side of the story is insubstantial. It runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in SoCal in Malibu, Burbank, Anaheim, Melrose, Venice and Echo Park. GRADE: C+/B-
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
