45 Years Later: Celebrating Peter Medak's The Changeling

“How did you die, Joseph? Did you die in this house? Why do you remain?”

Hello, everyone! It’s hard to believe that this year, the horror movies from 1980 are all celebrating their 45th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, I’ll be celebrating my favorite genre films from that year. First up, I’m highlighting one of the best haunted house movies to be released in 1980, or ever — Peter Medak’s The Changeling.

What begins as a tragic collision of grief and the supernatural evolves into a chilling tale of political corruption, deceit, and murder in Peter Medak’s The Changeling. While it may not be the only haunted house movie to be released in 1980, The Changeling stands out as one of the most emotionally gripping horror stories of its (or any) time. Based on a true story, Medak’s atmospheric chiller remains an underappreciated masterclass in tension and terror propelled by an all-time performance from award-winning actor George C. Scott.