Curtains Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of actresses try out for a play about an insane lady, and someone really wants the part, so they bring their best sickle to the audition.

🍿 Curtains: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Director’s Deception

Samantha Sherwood, a dedicated actress, is promised the lead role of ‘Audra’ in Jonathan Stryker’s upcoming film. Stryker, a demanding director, convinces her to immerse herself in the role by being committed to a mental institution. Samantha agrees, believing it’s the ultimate method acting technique.

Betrayal and Auditions

While Samantha is institutionalized, Stryker abandons her and begins casting for ‘Audra’ with a group of younger actresses. He invites six women to his remote mansion for a weekend of auditions. Among them is Patti, a stand-up comedian, Brooke, a veteran actress, Tara, Laurian, and Christie, an ice skater, each vying for the coveted role.

Samantha’s Return and a Series of Murders

Learning of Stryker’s betrayal, Samantha escapes the asylum and arrives at the mansion. Tensions rise as a masked killer begins targeting the actresses, including Amanda who was killed before arriving, leaving the remaining women in fear. As more of the women wind up dead, Samantha, Stryker, and the remaining actresses become suspects.

The Deadly Auditions Continue

As the auditions continue, the killer stalks Christie on a frozen lake, resulting in her gruesome death. Stryker continues to manipulate the actresses, and they turn against each other. After Stryker and Brooke are seemingly killed, Tara, one of the remaining actresses, is chased through the mansion, eventually meeting her demise in a props warehouse.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jonathan Stryker (John Vernon): A demanding director who manipulates and torments actresses in his ruthless pursuit of the perfect ‘Audra’.
• Samantha Sherwood (Samantha Eggar): A dedicated actress driven to the brink of madness as she seeks to reclaim her role as ‘Audra’.
• Patti O’Connor (Lynne Griffin): A seemingly harmless, comedic aspiring actress with a dark and deadly ambition for stardom.
• Brooke Parsons (Linda Thorson): A veteran actress desperate to revive her career, willing to engage in questionable relationships to secure the coveted role.
• Christie Burns (Lesleh Donaldson): A young ice skater hoping to break into acting, becoming a target in the deadly competition for the role of ‘Audra’.
• Tara DeMillo (Sandee Currie): An aspiring actress who finds herself in a deadly game of cat and mouse, fighting for her life amidst the competition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jonathan Stryker: “What makes you think you’re right for Audra?” – Stryker challenges the actresses to prove their suitability for the demanding role.
• Patti O’Connor: “I mean, what the hell are you looking for anyway and what do you want from me? I mean, who the fuck is Audra anyway?” – Patti expresses her frustration with Stryker’s obscure directing methods.

💰Box Office

• Budget: CA$3,700,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Curtains Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Curtains’ last night, and wow, what a ride! That ice skating scene is still one of the best slasher kills I’ve ever seen. The hag mask is nightmare fuel and that final twist? Didn’t see it coming. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely worth a watch if you’re into 80s horror, or you want to laugh at some really bad acting, then this is the movie for you!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s slasher films”
  • “Horror enthusiasts interested in cult classics”
  • “Viewers who appreciate suspenseful and atmospheric thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Brief partial nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘Curtains’ suffers from an uneven plot and pacing, the film delivers genuine scares and a creepy atmosphere. The strong performances, particularly by Samantha Eggar and John Vernon, elevate the material. A worthwhile slasher for fans of the genre.
• Film Monthly: “Curtains is a stylish slasher that dares to be different. With its focus on character and atmosphere, it stands out from the crowd. The ‘ice skating’ scene alone is worth the price of admission.

Audience Reactions

The hag mask is utterly terrifying and iconic.: Viewers loved the atmospheric setting and the unexpected twist ending.

That ice skating scene is a classic!: Most agreed it’s an underrated slasher that deserves more attention.

Overall Consensus: Curtains is an imperfect but effective slasher with some memorable scenes and a creepy atmosphere, though the plot can be uneven at times.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film had a troubled production history, with reshoots, recasting, and director Richard Ciupka eventually using the pseudonym Jonathan Stryker (a character in the film) in the credits.”
• “Celine Lomez was originally cast in the lead role of Samantha Sherwood but was fired partway through production and replaced by Samantha Eggar.”
• “The film’s low budget required creative solutions, such as using a figure skating double for Lesleh Donaldson in the iconic ice skating scene.”

🖥️ How to Watch Curtains?

As a lesser-known film, finding Curtains to stream can be challenging. It is not typically available on major subscription platforms like Netflix or Hulu. Your best bet is to check for rental or purchase options on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check your local listings or use a movie search engine like JustWatch to see current streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Curtains, you might like these similar films:

• Black Christmas (1974): Similar Canadian slasher with a winter setting and a focus on atmosphere and suspense.
• Stage Fright (1987): Features a masked killer targeting performers in a theatrical setting, with a focus on the cutthroat nature of show business.
• Prom Night (1980): Another Canadian slasher film from the same producers, known for its suspenseful atmosphere and a masked killer.
• Scream (1996): Modern slasher that, like Curtains, features a masked killer and a whodunit mystery, though with a more self-aware and meta approach.

🛒 Curtains Related Products

• Hag Mask – Halloween Costume: Recreate the iconic look of the killer with this terrifying hag mask, perfect for Halloween or horror conventions. A truly terrifying piece of movie history.
• Curtains (Limited Edition Blu-Ray): Experience ‘Curtains’ in stunning high-definition with this limited edition Blu-Ray. Includes bonus features such as deleted scenes, director’s commentary, and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space [Blu-ray]: Relive the insane memories of John Vernon as he tries to stop the Killer Klowns from Outer Space!
• I scream for horror t-shirt: Show your love for classic and nostalgic 80s horror with this ‘I scream for horror t-shirt’

🎧 Soundtrack

Curtains features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Save my Soul” – performed by Burton Cummings
• “Curtains Theme” – performed by Paul Zaza

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Curtains (1983) Ice Skating Scene

Remember that creepy ice skating scene from ‘Curtains’? This video shows the full scene, and it’s even more chilling than you remember! It’s a must-watch for any fan.

Who Is The Real Killer Between 6 Ladies ? CURTAINS – Film Breakdown In Hindi + Facts

Ever wondered who the real killer in ‘Curtains’ was? This breakdown delves deep into the movie and uncovers some fascinating facts. It’s presented in Hindi, but even if you don’t speak the language, the visual analysis is worth checking out!

SPOOK TRAIN: Curtains (clay horror film)

Looking for something a bit different? This claymation horror short film titled ‘Curtains’ is inspired by classic horror themes, similar to the movie. The animation is really well done, it’s super creepy!

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