Watch The Godsend

The Godsend is a psychological horror movie from 1980 that revolves around a young family who adopt a newborn baby girl named Bonnie. The movie portrays the horror that unfolds when the family realizes that Bonnie is not an ordinary baby but a satanic offspring with strange and deadly powers. Although the movie's plot is not unique, it takes on a new twist in the hands of director Gabriel Axel, who creates a unique and eerie atmosphere that keeps the viewer on edge throughout the movie.

The movie opens on an idyllic British countryside, where a happy family is enjoying a picnic. However, their peace is shattered when a pregnant woman suddenly collapses and dies. Her husband, played by Malcolm Stoddard, is devastated but finds solace in the arrival of their new baby girl, Bonnie. However, as days go by, the family begins to realize that Bonnie is not like any other baby they have encountered.

Bonnie's strange behavior starts with her feeding habits; she rejects all forms of milk and can only be fed on fresh cow's milk. The family also notices that Bonnie has unusual strength and can move heavy objects with ease. But the most alarming sign is that people who come into contact with Bonnie start dying mysteriously. The family is oblivious to these signs and continues to dote on Bonnie, becoming blindly captivated by her charms.

The turning point comes when Bonnie's mother, played by Cyd Hayman, falls pregnant again. She begins to see visions of Bonnie, urging her to harm herself and the unborn child. As the visions and strange occurrences become frequent, she seeks the help of a local psychic played by Angela Pleasence.

The psychic informs the family of Bonnie's true nature, revealing that she is a demon possessed child. The psychic also warns them that Bonnie must be destroyed before she can claim more lives. The family is slow to accept this reality and refuses to believe that their darling daughter is evil. However, as more people start dying and Bonnie begins to display her deadly powers openly, the family must confront the reality of their situation.

The Godsend's main strength is the way it builds tension and sustains it throughout the entire runtime. The movie's slow pacing adds to the feeling of unease, as viewers begin to suspect that something is not right with Bonnie. The rural setting adds to the authenticity of the movie, creating a sense of isolation and despair. The cast delivers solid performances, with Malcolm Stoddard and Cyd Hayman portraying the roles of terrified parents exceptionally well.

The movie's horror elements are subtle, which makes them more effective. Bonnie's demonic possession is conveyed through her strange behavior and eerie sounds, which add to the viewer's unease. The use of a psychic as a supporting character adds depth to the movie's mythology, making it more engaging.

Overall, The Godsend is a psychologically disturbing movie that puts a new twist on the demonic possession subgenre. The talented cast, slow pacing, and eerie atmosphere make it a horror movie worth checking out. It's a testament to the talent of Gabriel Axel, who despite the movie's limitations, manages to create an unsettling and spine-tingling tale of terror.

The Godsend is a 1980 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.