Watch 976-EVIL

976-EVIL is a 1988 supernatural horror movie directed by Robert Englund, famous for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street series. The movie follows the story of a teenager, Hoax (Stephen Geoffreys), who lives with his abusive older brother Spike (Patrick O'Bryan) in a small town. Hoax is a socially awkward kid who is constantly bullied at school and rejected by everyone, except his best friend, Marty (Jim Metzler).

One night, while flipping through television channels, Hoax stumbles upon a commercial for a 976 phone line that promises to reveal the future to callers. Intrigued, he decides to call the number and is greeted by a sultry female voice that tells him his horoscope, which turns out to be correct. Impressed, Hoax becomes obsessed with the phone line and calls it repeatedly, seeking guidance on various aspects of his life.

However, it soon becomes evident that the phone line is not what it seems. Callers who dial the number are given a range of evil options to choose from, and if they opt for one of these choices, they experience terrifying consequences. Unbeknownst to Hoax, the phone line is actually controlled by a demonic force that aims to use him as a vessel for its evil schemes.

As Hoax's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Spike, who is a biker and a former criminal, starts to suspect that something is wrong with his brother. He consults his biker gang, who advise him to send Hoax to their old teacher, Father O'Neil (Sandy Dennis), a nun-turned-priest who has a reputation for exorcising demons. Meanwhile, Marty, who is worried about Hoax's well-being, investigates the origins of the phone number and discovers its dark past.

976-EVIL is a unique horror movie that blends elements of demonic possession with a cautionary tale about the dangers of technology. The movie was one of the first to explore the themes of phone lines as a medium for evil, predating movies like Scream (1996) and Pulse (2006). The movie is also notable for the performances of its cast, particularly Stephen Geoffreys, who delivers a convincing portrayal of a teenager struggling with his inner demons.

The special effects in the movie are impressive for its time, with some scenes featuring grotesque transformations and nightmarish imagery. The movie's climax is a tense and suspenseful sequence that leads to a shocking revelation about the phone line's origins.

In terms of its reception, 976-EVIL received mixed reviews from critics but has since gained a cult following among horror movie aficionados. The movie's success prompted a sequel, 976-EVIL II (1991), which was less well-received.

Overall, 976-EVIL is a well-crafted horror movie that delivers on its promise of chills and thrills. It may not be as well-known as some of its contemporaries, but it deserves a place in the annals of 80s horror cinema.

976-EVIL is a 1989 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.