Stanley Coopersmith is the butt of everyone’s jokes at the military academy he attends. However, when he discovers that satanism and an early 80’s home computer can be combined, the effects prove to be very effective indeed.

Evilspeak is a doozy of a film. It’s basically Carrie but with computers and Satan instead of telekinesis. Theres even pigs within the narrative and their use is just as fucked up as in De Palma’s masterpiece.

It’s very well directed, has an amazing look to it (the basement church he cobbles together with all of it’s candles is so cool), and is also very well written with brilliant characterisations that extends to minor characters that would have been more generic in other hands. The computer graphics have also aged very well indeed. No need for CGI adjustments decades later for physical media releases.

Clint Howard brings his usual wide-eyed innocence and child-like awe to the role of Stanley. He’s one those actors with an impeccible cult movie filmography that I admire greatly.

Evilspeak was first banned as a Video Nasty and then had nearly 3 minutes cut by the BBFC when it was finally classified. Watch the uncut version though. The finale is gory as hell.

Highly recommended.

4 out of 5 stars