Watch The Lift
- 1985
- 1 hr 39 min
The Lift (Limited Edition) is a Dutch horror-thriller film directed by Dick Maas and released in 1983, starring Huub Stapel, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Josine van Dalsum, and Emma Onrust. The story follows a lift technician named Felix Adelaar, played by Stapel, who works at a high-rise office building in Amsterdam. One day, Felix discovers that the building's new lift has a life of its own and begins to malfunction, leading to a series of bizarre and deadly incidents.
The movie begins with an eerie and tense atmosphere, as Felix is shown working on the new lift all alone late at night. The scene is filled with ominous music and shots of the lift moving up and down, creating a sense of unease and foreshadowing the events to come. As the story progresses, we see how Felix's personal and professional life start to crumble under the mounting pressure of the unexplained accidents that are happening in the building.
The Lift explores themes of technology gone awry and the dangers of relying too much on automation. The new lift is depicted as a modern marvel of engineering, with computerized controls and state-of-the-art safety features. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the lift's intelligence goes beyond what was intended, and it poses a threat to anyone who uses it. The film serves as a cautionary tale about the horrors that can result from our over-dependence on technology.
The characters in The Lift are well-developed and believable. Huub Stapel delivers a convincing performance as Felix, a man who starts out as a confident and competent technician but is gradually pushed to the brink of insanity as the lift's malfunctions become more sinister. Willeke van Ammelrooy plays Mieke, a journalist who senses that something is wrong with the lift and tries to investigate its past. Josine van Dalsum plays the role of Barbara, Felix's estranged wife who has her own troubles to deal with.
The settings and visual effects in The Lift are impressive, considering the modest budget of the film. The high-rise building where the story takes place is effectively used to create a sense of isolation and claustrophobia. The lift itself is shown in several gruesome scenes, which are sure to make viewers wary of ever stepping into a lift again. The special effects are not overly flashy but are effective in conveying the horror of the lift's actions.
The Lift is a well-crafted horror movie that manages to be both thrilling and thought-provoking. The film's pacing is excellent, with the tension gradually building up to a satisfying climax. It is not a gory or gratuitous film, but rather one that relies on suspense and atmosphere to create a sense of dread in the audience. The movie also incorporates touches of dark humor, which helps to balance out the suspenseful moments.
Overall, The Lift (Limited Edition) is a must-watch for horror fans and anyone interested in exploring the darker side of technology. The film's themes are still relevant today, especially with the increasing prevalence of automation and artificial intelligence in our daily lives. The Limited Edition release includes exclusive special features, such as interviews with the cast and crew, making it a great addition to any horror movie collector's library.
The Lift is a 1985 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes.