Shocker Review

Review of Shocker (1989) by screenqueeen: 👍 3.5/5

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Craven's diamond in the rough. There seems to be a portion of the story not developed in the film of Jonathan's gifts in relation to Horace's dabbling with black magic. I inserted my own which made it make more sense. But what is here is examinable of how something older than society can beget any mortal good or evil, and it places itself squarely into a treatment Stephen King could really work with. It feels almost in parallel to something like CHRISTINE, perhaps more so the novel than the film in how targeted aggression becomes something inherited as if through a curse with no prior justification in a youth like Arnie Cunningham or, in SHOCKER's case Jonathan.

There are interesting similarities to Craven's own NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and in part the 2nd sequel DREAM WARRIORS. It's interesting how Pinker's body hopping still replicates his physical impairment, and is the only way Jonathan can tell who is being possessed. It's these thoughts that took over my first viewing but I also couldn't resist thinking how Spider-Man's shocker could be remained in this way to make him more terrifying and able to act on his villainous nature more so than just being some small-time jewel thief if he were this family serial killer unafraid of the limits of human mortality.