A Daring Leap Into the Unknown

Read Time:5 Minute, 30 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Incubus [Limited Edition]
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 1966, 2025 Arrow Video 4K
Runtime: 1h 14m
Director(s): Leslie Stevens
Writer(s): Leslie Stevens
Cast: William Shatner, Allyson Ames, Eloise Hardt, Robert Fortier, Ann Atmar, Milos Milos, Paolo Cossa
Language: Esperanto with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available January 14, 2025; pre-order your copy here: www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Sometimes, a film steps so far outside the box that it defies categorization, leaving an incredibly perplexing imprint. Such is the case with INCUBUS, a 1966 “horror” film directed by Leslie Stevens that embraces bold choices in every sense. From its use of Esperanto—a constructed language rarely heard outside niche linguistic circles—to its ethereal cinematography, the movie feels like an artifact unearthed from another world. While this avant-garde approach isn’t for everyone, it creates a mood that lingers.

Kia, tasked with luring immoral souls to their doom, is at the story's heart. Played by Allyson Ames, Kia grows weary of preying on corrupt individuals and decides to challenge herself by attempting to corrupt a pure-hearted soul. Enter Marc, a soldier recovering from personal and wartime battles, portrayed by William Shatner. Their encounter sets the stage for a high-stakes clash of morality, desire, and redemption. The tension between Kia’s demonic nature and Marc’s unwavering virtue transforms a simple premise into a layered exploration of temptation and resistance.

The film is mesmerizing visually. Conrad L. Hall’s cinematography bathes the California coast in stark contrasts, making the world feel beautiful and foreboding. The windswept beaches, jagged cliffs, and shadow-drenched forests provide a hauntingly appropriate backdrop for the story’s supernatural elements. Each frame feels intentionally crafted, drawing comparisons to the visual style of European arthouse cinema. The interplay of light and shadow mirrors the story’s moral ambiguity, adding depth to every scene.

The choice to film INCUBUS entirely in Esperanto was a gamble that paid off in terms of atmosphere. The unfamiliar language disconnects the audience from reality, reinforcing the sense that the characters exist in a mythical, timeless space. While this linguistic experiment may alienate some viewers, it gives the dialogue a symbolic weight that suits the story’s tone. Ames brings an icy complexity to her role, capturing the internal conflict of a demon who begins to question her purpose. In one of his early performances, Shatner grounds the film with a sincerity that helps balance its surreal qualities.

INCUBUS's pacing can feel uneven, with certain scenes dragging as the film relies heavily on visual storytelling and introspection. Milos Milos's introduction as Kia’s brother, Milos, adds menace to the narrative but lacks the depth to make his character genuinely memorable. Ann Atmar's portrayal of Arndis provides emotional stakes that remain largely unexplored. These missed opportunities prevent the film from fully capitalizing on its potential.

The movie’s behind-the-scenes lore is as intriguing as its onscreen story. Often labeled a “cursed” production, INCUBUS became infamous after two of its cast members died under tragic circumstances not long after filming. To add to its mystique, the film’s original prints were nearly lost forever due to a fire. It wasn’t until decades later that a surviving copy was discovered in France, allowing audiences to rediscover this mysterious piece of cinema. The film’s troubled history only enhances its allure, making it as much a subject of curiosity as an artistic statement.

At its core, INCUBUS grapples with timeless themes like the duality of human nature, the power of temptation, and the struggle between light and darkness. Stevens draws on classical tragedy to imbue the narrative with a sense of inevitability, lending weight to the choices made by its characters. While the film’s experimental approach may not resonate with every viewer, some will find a story rich with symbolism and thought-provoking questions.

INCUBUS is a film that asks viewers to let go of expectations and immerse themselves in its strange, haunting world. It’s not a straightforward horror movie or even a conventional narrative. Instead, it’s an experience—a journey through the surreal and the unsettling.

Bonus Materials:
4K restoration from the last surviving 35mm print by Le Chat Qui Fume
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original lossless Esperanto mono audio
Optional English subtitles
Optional Esperanto subtitles for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and hard-of-hearing
New audio commentary by writer and genre historian David J. Schow, author of The Outer Limits: The Official Companion
Archive audio commentary by star William Shatner
Archive audio commentary by producer Anthony Taylor, cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, and camera operator William Fraker
Alternate 1.37:1 presentation of the film (1080p only)
Words and Worlds: Incubus and Esperanto in Cinema, a newly filmed interview with genre historian Stephen Bissette
Internacia Lingvo: A History of Esperanto, a newly filmed interview with Esther Schor, author of Bridge of Words: Esperanto and the Dream of a Universal Language
An Interview with the Makers of Incubus, an archive interview by Schow with Taylor, Hall, and Fraker
Video trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Richard Wells
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Frank Collins and Jason Kruppa

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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