The Evil
Performance & Direction: The Evil Review
Last updated: March 1, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Evil (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Evil features a noteworthy lineup led by Richard Crenna . Supported by the likes of Joanna Pettet and Andrew Prine , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Evil
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1978, The Evil is a Thriller, Horror film directed by Gus Trikonis. The narrative builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Richard Crenna.
Ending Explained: The Evil
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Gus Trikonis, The Evil attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Richard Crenna, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Evil reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Evil?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Evil
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $700.0K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Evil Budget
The estimated production budget for The Evil is $700.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Evil
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Where to Watch The Evil Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
CultpixThe Evil Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about The Evil age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Evil is 89 minutes (1h 29m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Evil is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Evil worth watching?
The Evil is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 5.7/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Evil parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Evil identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Evil?
The total duration of The Evil is 89 minutes, which is approximately 1h 29m long.
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How The Evil Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Evil
_**Richard Crenna has no sympathy for the devil**_ A formidable psychologist (Richard Crenna) purchases a veritable castle in the mountains of the Southwest and plans to refurbish it into a drug rehab. After hiring several students & colleagues, the team sets about their challenging task when paranormal things start happening and people begin dying in shocking ways. "The Evil" (1978) is haunted house horror in the mold of "The Legend of Hell House" (1973), "The Devil's Nightmare" (1971) and the soon-to-come "The Amityville Horror" (1979). While it’s not great like “Devil’s Nightmare” or as good as “Amityville Horror,” it’s pretty much on par with “Legend of Hell House” and would influence future ghostly flicks, like “Ghost” (1990). Crenna is perhaps best known as Col. Trautman from the Rambo series and does a fine job as the main protagonist. Meanwhile Victor Buono shows up for an interesting role (you might remember him as King Tut on the campy Batman TV series). On the feminine front you have Joanna Pettet, Mary Louise Weller, Cassie Yates and Lynne Moody. Pettet and Weller are stunning, but not very voluptuous. It’s interesting to see the styles from the mid-70s wherein women wore pants so tight they revealed every crevice. Let’s just say they’re not very flattering. People complain about the ending, yet at least the flick doesn't cop out but rather plainly reveals the source of "the evil." C.J. Arnold (Crenna) is a respected and successful psychologist who admits he made jokes about the concept of God and the devil at cocktail parties. The climax conveys the awful truth. Of course they could've depicted things in a more conventional manner, but they evidently didn't have the budget to pull it off (think 1985’s “Legend”). So they went with something alternative. At the end of the day, this is a decent but underwhelming haunted house flick. The shocks are overdone to the point of amusement and it needed more human interest. The best thing about it is the castle-like mansion, which reminded me of my visit to Mansfield Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, the prison used for “The Shawshank Redemption.” The film runs 1 hour, 29 minutes and was shot at Montezuma Castle in northern New Mexico, and nearby Las Vegas (which is different from the more famous city in Nevada, 500 miles further west). GRADE: C+
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
