Evilspeak Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An outcast military cadet finds a cursed computer in a church basement and uses it to summon evil piggies and decapitation powers to get back at the bullies who killed his puppy.

🍿 Evilspeak: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Outcast Cadet’s Torment

Stanley Coopersmith is an orphaned cadet at West Andover military academy, constantly ridiculed and abused by his classmates, teachers, and staff. Seen as clumsy and unintelligent, he is a social outcast with only one friend, Kowalski. His tormentors escalate their cruelty, from simple pranks to destroying his belongings and hindering his academic and social life. This persistent bullying sets the stage for Stanley’s desperate search for power and revenge.

Discovery in the Cellar

While on punishment duty cleaning the chapel’s dusty cellar, Coopersmith discovers a hidden room containing relics belonging to Father Esteban, a 16th-century Spanish Satanist banished to the New World. Among the artifacts is a book of black magic and Esteban’s diary. Using an early 1980s computer from the school, Coopersmith begins translating the ancient Latin text. He learns of Esteban’s dark rituals, his vow to return, and how to perform a Black Mass.

The Final Straw and Preparation

The relentless bullying continues, reaching a breaking point when his cruel classmates find and kill Fred, the small puppy Coopersmith had adopted and hidden. Enraged and heartbroken, Coopersmith becomes determined to complete the Black Mass ritual and unleash Father Esteban’s power. He steals a consecrated host from the church and obtains human blood by brutally killing a teacher who discovers him in the catacombs. With the necessary components gathered, Coopersmith prepares to perform the full ritual in Father Esteban’s crypt beneath the chapel.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Stanley Coopersmith (Clint Howard): The outcast military cadet who uses black magic and a computer to enact revenge on his tormentors.
• Father Esteban (Richard Moll): An ancient Satanist priest whose black magic book provides Stanley Coopersmith with the power for vengeance.
• Sarge (R.G. Armstrong): A drunken and abusive caretaker at the academy who becomes one of the first victims of the demonic forces.
• Bubba Caldwell (Don Stark): The lead bully among the cadets whose relentless torment drives Stanley Coopersmith to seek supernatural revenge.
• Colonel Kincaid (Charles Tyner): The stern head of the military academy who contributes to Stanley Coopersmith’s suffering through unfair treatment.
• Miss Friedemeyer (Lynn Hancock): A cruel school secretary whose theft of the black magic book leads to her gruesome demise by demonic pigs.
• Kowalski (Haywood Nelson): Stanley Coopersmith’s only supportive friend at the academy, offering a contrast to the other abusive students and staff.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Father Esteban / Computer: “I will return.” – This phrase serves as Father Esteban’s vow and later appears as a chilling message on the computer screen, signifying his return through Stanley.
• Computer: “Data incomplete… Human blood needed.” – The computer displays this crucial instruction, revealing the final, gruesome requirement for Stanley to complete the Black Mass ritual.
• Ritual Participants: “Satanas! Vivimus!” – Repeated Latin chanting used as a key part of the Black Mass ritual to invoke demonic power.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $900,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Evilspeak Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched Evilspeak, and honestly, it was a wild ride. The first part is a bit of a drag, I won’t lie. You just watch poor Clint Howard get bullied non-stop, and it’s kinda depressing. But you feel for the guy! Especially after the puppy thing, which was just brutal. Then, he hooks up this old computer in the creepy church basement, and things get *weird*. That ending, though! Holy cow. When he starts floating around with the sword and the pigs show up… pure, unadulterated schlocky horror fun. It’s so over the top it loops back around to amazing. The gore effects for the time are surprisingly effective, even if some bits are clearly dummies. It’s definitely not a masterpiece, but if you appreciate cheesy 80s horror with a completely bonkers climax, you have to check it out. I was laughing and cringing in equal measure during the last 15 minutes. Totally worth it for that ending sequence alone.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s cult horror films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate practical gore effects”
  • “Fans of revenge-themed horror”
  • “Those interested in ‘so bad it’s good’ movies”
  • “Clint Howard enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore (decapitations, dismemberment, impalement, heart-ripping)”
  • “Animal violence (on-screen death of a puppy)”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Bullying and abuse themes”
  • “Demonic and Satanic themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Horror Chronicle: “Evilspeak starts as a slow-burn schoolyard torment flick, leaning heavily on its Carrie inspiration but lacking the depth. Clint Howard gives a sympathetic, if sometimes grating, performance. The first hour is a tedious build-up of repetitive bullying. However, the final act unleashes a truly bonkers, gore-soaked spectacle involving possessed computers, flying nerds, and flesh-eating pigs. It’s absurd, cheap, and unforgettable, almost salvaging the drag that came before. A cult classic for the patient splatter fan.
• Cult Cinema Journal: “Beyond the infamous ‘video nasty’ reputation, Evilspeak is a fascinating, albeit uneven, piece of early 80s horror. Its blend of ancient Satanism and nascent computer technology feels charmingly dated but innovative for the time. While the script is thin and pacing lags, the commitment of the cast, particularly R.G. Armstrong and Richard Moll, sells the absurdity. The highlight is undoubtedly the over-the-top, practical effects-laden finale, which delivers the gory goods promised by the lurid poster art. A must-see for fans of the era.

Audience Reactions

The absolutely insane and gory final 15 minutes steal the show.: Viewers appreciate the over-the-top violence and practical effects in the climax, the ‘so bad it’s good’ charm, and Clint Howard’s committed performance as the tormented protagonist.

The concept of using a computer for black magic is hilariously dated but unique.: Many find the film’s blend of technology and the occult memorable, and enjoy its status as a notorious ‘video nasty’.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag with a slow start but a legendary, bloody, and absurd final act that has solidified its status as a beloved cult horror film for gorehounds and fans of 80s cheese.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “An original director’s cut reportedly contained even more graphic gore, including extended death scenes, but this version is believed to be lost.”
• “The film was shot on location at Saint Anthony Seminary in Santa Barbara, California, contributing to the authentic military school and chapel atmosphere.”
• “With an estimated budget of $900,000, it was a relatively low-budget production for the time, especially given its ambitious special effects.”
• “The movie gained notoriety in the UK as one of the ‘video nasties’, leading to it being heavily cut or banned before later uncut releases.”
• “This was Clint Howard’s first starring role in a feature film, moving from his usual character actor roles.”
• “Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, reportedly approved of the film’s depiction of Satanism as a force for personal empowerment and revenge.”

🖥️ How to Watch Evilspeak?

To watch ‘Evilspeak’ (1981), check popular digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Availability can vary by region and subscription service. You can often search these platforms directly for the movie title to find the current viewing options.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Carrie (1976): A foundational film about a bullied outcast who unleashes supernatural powers for revenge on their tormentors, sharing a core thematic premise with ‘Evilspeak’.
• 976-EVIL (1988): Features a similar plot where an outcast protagonist uses modern technology (a phone line in this case) to connect with evil forces and gain power for revenge.
• The Omen (1976): Deals heavily with themes of Satanism, demonic influence, and dark rituals, often cited as having a similar atmospheric and musical tone.
• Maniac (1980): Another notorious low-budget horror film from the same era, known for its intense, visceral gore effects and status as a controversial ‘video nasty’ in the UK.
• Revenge of the Nerds (1984): While comedic, it centers entirely on the theme of marginalized outcasts finally turning the tables and getting payback against their cruel bullies.

🛒 Evilspeak Related Products

• Evilspeak (Blu-ray Collector’s Edition): A deluxe Blu-ray release featuring a stunning new scan, audio commentary with director Eric Weston and Clint Howard, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage. Includes both cut and uncut versions.
• 80s Horror Movie Poster Art Print: High-quality print of the iconic original Evilspeak movie poster, featuring the creepy imagery of the pig and the cross.
• Vintage Computer Replica Kit: A build-it-yourself replica kit of an early 1980s personal computer, reminiscent of the one Coopersmith uses in the film.
• Cult Classic Horror Film T-Shirt: Soft cotton tee featuring custom artwork inspired by Evilspeak, incorporating elements like the possessed computer, the pig, or Clint Howard in his final form.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Evilspeak Theme” – performed by Roger Kellaway
• “The Chamber” – performed by Roger Kellaway
• “The Ritual” – performed by Roger Kellaway
• “Esteban’s Return” – performed by Roger Kellaway

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

🤨 FAQ

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