Is The Evil Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Evil is likely a skip if you enjoy Thriller movies.
It features a runtime of 89 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
The Evil Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1978, The Evil emerges as a significant entry in the Thriller, Horror domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Shortly after moving into a dark, brooding mansion, a psychologist and his co-workers are terrorized by a horrible evil being. Unlike standard genre fare, The Evil attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Evil features a noteworthy lineup led by Richard Crenna . Supported by the likes of Joanna Pettet and Andrew Prine , 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 The Evil (1978) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Evil Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Evil is a Thriller, 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.
The Evil Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Evil 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.
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 thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Evil reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Evil?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
The Evil Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $700.0K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Evil Budget
The estimated production budget for The Evil is $700.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Evil
- Richard Crenna – C.J. Arnold
- Joanna Pettet – Dr. Caroline Arnold
- Andrew Prine – Prof. Raymond Guy
- Cassie Yates – Mary Harper
- George O'Hanlon, Jr. – Pete Brooks
Top Highlights
Richard CrennaC.J. Arnold
Joanna PettetDr. Caroline Arnold
Andrew PrineProf. Raymond Guy
Cassie YatesMary Harper
George O'Hanlon, Jr.Pete Brooks
Lynne MoodyFelicia Allen
Mary Louise WellerLaurie Belman
Robert ViharoDwight
Victor BuonoThe Devil
Milton SelzerThe Realtor
Where to Watch The Evil Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
CultpixParents Guide & Age Rating
The Evil is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense, mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.7/10, and global collection metrics, The Evil stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1978 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Evil movie hit or flop?
The Evil has received mixed reviews with a 5.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Evil worth watching?
The Evil is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Thriller, Horror movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Evil online?
The Evil is currently available for streaming on Cultpix. You can also check for it on platforms like Cultpix depending on your region.
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How The Evil Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Evil
_**Richard Crenna has no sympathy for the devil**_ A formidable psychologist (Richard Crenna) purchases a veritable castle in the mountains of the Southwest and plans to refurbish it into a drug rehab. After hiring several students & colleagues, the team sets about their challenging task when paranormal things start happening and people begin dying in shocking ways. "The Evil" (1978) is haunted house horror in the mold of "The Legend of Hell House" (1973), "The Devil's Nightmare" (1971) and the soon-to-come "The Amityville Horror" (1979). While it’s not great like “Devil’s Nightmare” or as good as “Amityville Horror,” it’s pretty much on par with “Legend of Hell House” and would influence future ghostly flicks, like “Ghost” (1990). Crenna is perhaps best known as Col. Trautman from the Rambo series and does a fine job as the main protagonist. Meanwhile Victor Buono shows up for an interesting role (you might remember him as King Tut on the campy Batman TV series). On the feminine front you have Joanna Pettet, Mary Louise Weller, Cassie Yates and Lynne Moody. Pettet and Weller are stunning, but not very voluptuous. It’s interesting to see the styles from the mid-70s wherein women wore pants so tight they revealed every crevice. Let’s just say they’re not very flattering. People complain about the ending, yet at least the flick doesn't cop out but rather plainly reveals the source of "the evil." C.J. Arnold (Crenna) is a respected and successful psychologist who admits he made jokes about the concept of God and the devil at cocktail parties. The climax conveys the awful truth. Of course they could've depicted things in a more conventional manner, but they evidently didn't have the budget to pull it off (think 1985’s “Legend”). So they went with something alternative. At the end of the day, this is a decent but underwhelming haunted house flick. The shocks are overdone to the point of amusement and it needed more human interest. The best thing about it is the castle-like mansion, which reminded me of my visit to Mansfield Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, the prison used for “The Shawshank Redemption.” The film runs 1 hour, 29 minutes and was shot at Montezuma Castle in northern New Mexico, and nearby Las Vegas (which is different from the more famous city in Nevada, 500 miles further west). GRADE: C+
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
