Watch Incubus

Incubus is a black and white horror film made in 1966, starring William Shatner, Allyson Ames, and Eloise Hardt. Directed by Leslie Stevens, the movie is entirely in Esperanto, a constructed language that has about 2 million speakers worldwide. The story of Incubus revolves around a small town called Nomen Tuum, located near the seaside. The village's inquisitive inhabitants are aware of a legend about a succubus, an evil female demon who preys on men by seducing and killing them. Further, they believe that if a person cannot resist the seductions of the succubus, then her counterpart, the incubus, will come after them, and they will die.

Enter William Shatner's character, Marc, a well-built young man traveling with his sister. Following a shipwreck and his sister's death, Marc arrives in Nomen Tuum, tired and traumatized. As he sets off on a perilous path to find meaning in life, he soon meets the beautiful and mysterious succubus, played by Allyson Ames. The incubus makes its presence known, and a series of unsettling events follow.

The townspeople of Nomen Tuum tell Marc about the legend of the succubus and urge him to leave the town; they try everything in their power to keep him from meeting the succubus. But as he falls under her spell, Marc is blinded by her beauty and passes up on the various opportunities to escape. He is spell-bound by the magnetic and mesmerizing allure of the demon.

Throughout Incubus, the viewer is taken on a surreal and obscure journey through a world that is difficult to understand. It feels like something out of an abstract dream where only the dreamer knows what is happening, and we can only observe. The film's landscapes, which include the beautiful coastline and vast expanses of desert and caves, add to the mysterious ambiance of the plot. Although it was made over fifty years ago, the film has a timeless quality that is testament to the director's vision and ambition.

Incubus is genuinely unique, and perhaps no other horror movie has made such an ambitious attempt to create a story without a single word of a real language; the whole film is in Esperanto, which lends it an ethereal and sophisticated atmosphere. Yet, despite this strange choice of language, the film's plot remains suspenseful and gripping. The musical score is equally haunting, with its dark use of the choral voices adding an ominous quality to the overall composition.

In a world where horror films are often rife with clichés and predictable jump scares, Incubus stands out as a shining example of artful horror. Back in 1966, the film surprised audiences with its originality and ingenuity, and it continues to be appreciated as a classic cult horror film.

In conclusion, Incubus is a beautifully crafted horror film that sets itself apart from the usual horror fare. The unusual choice of language, combined with the surreal black and white imagery, makes it deserving of its cult status. Shatner handles the lead role with aplomb, bringing an interesting complexity to the character of Marc. The movie is a must-watch for horror film enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a good story that is both authentic and experimental.