Equinox Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four friends on a casual picnic accidentally unleash stop-motion demons and discover the creepy park ranger is literally the devil, proving that some books should just stay lost in caves.

🍿 Equinox: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Picnic Gone Wrong

The film opens with a reporter visiting a psychiatric hospital to interview David Fielding, the sole survivor of a horrific event that occurred in the woods a year prior. David, now catatonic, clutches a cross. The reporter is allowed to listen to a tape recording David made, recounting the terrifying events.

Discovery of a Mysterious Book

In the flashback, David, his girlfriend Susan, and their friends Jim and Vicki venture into a state park for a picnic and to visit David’s professor, Dr. Waterman. They find Dr. Waterman’s cabin destroyed. While exploring a cave, they encounter a strange old man who gives them a large, ancient book bound in human skin, containing mystical symbols and writings.

Unleashing Ancient Evil

As the friends begin to examine and attempt to decipher the book, they inadvertently draw the attention of supernatural forces. A creepy park ranger appears, introducing himself as Asmodeus. It soon becomes clear that Asmodeus is not a normal ranger, but a powerful demonic entity after the book, unleashing various monsters to attack the teenagers.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• David Fielding (Edward Connell): The protagonist and sole survivor who recounts the horrific events that unfolded after finding a mysterious book in the woods.
• Susan Turner (Barbara Hewitt): One of the four friends caught in the supernatural horror who is targeted by the demon and appears possessed at the end.
• Jim Hudson (Frank Bonner): One of the four friends on the ill-fated picnic who faces the demonic forces unleashed by the ancient book.
• Vicki (Robin Christopher): One of the four friends who accompanies the group on the hike and is targeted by the malevolent park ranger.
• Asmodeus (Jack Woods): The demonic entity disguised as a park ranger who relentlessly pursues the teenagers to retrieve the powerful book.
• Dr. Arthur Waterman (Fritz Leiber Jr.): A professor who previously discovered and experimented with the ancient book, inadvertently unleashing the supernatural forces.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Voice: “You will not escape! In one year and one day, you will be DEAD!” – A chilling curse or prophecy delivered to the sole survivor, David, contributing to his mental breakdown.
• Crazy Old Man: “If you knew what was in that book you’d turn to jelly.” – Spoken to the teenagers by the hermit in the cave when he gives them the mysterious and dangerous book.
• Jim: “We’ll be all right! We’ve got the cross!” – Jim expresses confidence that the small cross symbol will protect them from the demonic forces they face.
• David: “Into the woods!” – David gives a command to his friends as they venture further into the forest, seeking the professor or investigating strange sounds.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,500 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 Equinox Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched Equinox, and man, what a trip! You can tell this was made with pure passion on next to no money, and honestly, that’s part of its charm. It’s genuinely weird. The stop-motion monsters are the absolute best part. They’re janky and obviously low-budget, but they have a personality that modern CGI often lacks. The flying demon and the giant ape totally stole the show whenever they were on screen. Yeah, the acting is pretty wooden, and the story narration bouncing around can be a bit confusing. And don’t even get me started on the continuity issues, especially with Vicki’s hair! But stuff like the creepy park ranger turning out to be Asmodeus is just bonkers in the best way. It feels like a bunch of friends saying, ‘Hey, let’s make a horror movie with *all* the cool stuff!’ and just went for it. It’s a must-see if you love classic, quirky B-movies and appreciating the hustle behind them. It feels like a piece of indie horror history.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic low-budget horror”
  • “Viewers interested in the history of special effects (especially stop-motion)”
  • “Cult film enthusiasts”
  • “Fans of ‘The Evil Dead’ and similar cabin-in-the-woods/occult horror”
  • “Those who appreciate ambitious filmmaking despite technical limitations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Supernatural terror and demons”
  • “Monster violence and character deaths”
  • “Attempted sexual assault (by the demon Asmodeus)”
  • “Disturbing images (insanity, demonic possession)”
  • “Dated special effects and production quality (may be distracting for some viewers)”

Professional Reviews

• Adapted: “Equinox is a fascinating relic, more a ‘labor of love’ student film expanded than a traditional feature. While hampered by low production values, uneven acting (yes, that’s Herb Tarlek!), and often clunky dialogue, its raw enthusiasm and imaginative stop-motion effects are undeniable highlights. The creature designs, particularly the flying demon and giant ape, show remarkable ingenuity for the budget and era, hinting at the future talents involved. It’s a rough watch in places, but essential viewing for genre aficionados curious about the roots of indie horror.
• Adapted: “This bizarre, low-budget horror entry feels like a fever dream cobbled together from nightmares and amateur filmmaking manuals. Its narrative, told awkwardly through flashbacks, involves a cursed book, shape-shifting demons, and wonderfully primitive stop-motion monsters that are the real stars. The acting is… enthusiastic, and the pacing drags between creature appearances. Yet, there’s an undeniable charm and influence here, bridging classic creature features and the cabin-in-the-woods horror that would follow. Best enjoyed with friends willing to embrace its charming ineptitude.

Audience Reactions

The stop-motion monsters are charmingly retro and the film’s biggest draw.: Many viewers appreciate its status as an influential precursor to later horror films like ‘The Evil Dead’ and ‘Phantasm’.

The creepy park ranger Asmodeus and his bizarre facial expressions are memorable and unintentionally hilarious.: Fans often celebrate its ambitious scope despite the obviously minuscule budget and technical limitations.

Overall Consensus: A beloved cult classic appreciated more for its historical significance, ambitious stop-motion effects, and charming low-budget weirdness than for its technical polish or acting quality. It’s a fun, influential B-movie that paved the way for future indie horror.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film began as a $6,500 student project titled “The Equinox: A Journey Into the Supernatural” by a group including future VFX legends Dennis Muren, David Allen, and Jim Danforth.”
• “Producer Jack H. Harris bought the student film and hired director Jack Woods to add significant new footage (including Woods playing the park ranger Asmodeus) over two years to expand it to feature length, often removing the original directors’ credits.”
• “All dialogue and sound effects were recorded and added in post-production, leading to noticeable synchronization issues and a distinct audio quality.”
• “Despite the low budget and amateur origins, the visual effects artists involved went on to have highly successful careers, working on films like ‘Star Wars’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘The Thing’, and ‘Clash of the Titans’.”
• “Notable appearances include famed science fiction and fantasy author Fritz Leiber Jr. as Dr. Waterman and Ed Begley Jr. as an uncredited assistant cameraman.”

🖥️ How to Watch Equinox?

Finding the movie “Equinox” (1970) can be challenging as its availability fluctuates on major streaming platforms. It was previously released on DVD by Criterion, which included both the 1967 and 1970 versions. Digital purchase or rental options might be available through platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or other digital movie retailers. Check current listings on these services for the most up-to-date viewing options.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• The Evil Dead (1981): Often cited as heavily influenced by Equinox, sharing core themes of an ancient evil book unleashing demons on a group of friends in a remote cabin location.
• Phantasm (1979): Another independent horror film with a unique, dreamlike atmosphere, supernatural threats, portals to other dimensions, and inventive creature designs that appeal to fans of low-budget cult horror.
• Jason and the Argonauts (1963): A classic fantasy film celebrated for its pioneering stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, a major influence on the VFX artists who created the creatures in Equinox.
• The Blair Witch Project (1999): Features a group venturing into the woods encountering supernatural horror, focusing on psychological distress and a survivor narrative, echoing Equinox’s framing story.
• The Deadly Spawn (1983): A prime example of practical effects-driven, low-budget independent horror from the period, known for its inventive monster design and cult following among fans of this style.

🛒 Equinox Related Products

• Equinox (Criterion Collection Blu-ray): Features both the original 1967 version and the 1970 theatrical cut, alongside extensive bonus materials including commentaries, interviews, and the original student film. Offers a deep dive into the movie’s unique history and groundbreaking effects work.
• H.P. Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction: A comprehensive collection of the foundational cosmic horror stories that inspired the ‘Necronomicon’ concept featured prominently in ‘Equinox’. Explore the origins of the Eldritch themes.
• Vintage Equinox Movie Poster Print: High-quality print of the iconic original theatrical poster art, featuring classic horror imagery and promising ‘monsters, devil worship, and the supernatural’.
• Classic Low-Budget Horror Double Feature DVD: A DVD compilation featuring ‘Equinox’ paired with another influential, low-budget creature feature from the same era. Perfect for a nostalgic horror night.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Title” – performed by Jaime Mendoza-Nava
• “The Book of Evil” – performed by Jaime Mendoza-Nava
• “Creatures Unleashed” – performed by Jaime Mendoza-Nava
• “Asmodeus’ Theme” – performed by Jaime Mendoza-Nava

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Equinox (1970) – Stop Motion Shots

Curious how they pulled off those wild creatures in Equinox on such a tiny budget? This video shows off the awesome stop-motion effects that made the movie stand out!

✨ Rate