These days we have no sympathy for the devil
A nonchalant man in England (Jeff Goldblum) is discovered to have 24 bodies buried on his property and is interned at a mental asylum in France for examination. The detective who brought him in warns of his diabolic origins (Alan Bates) while the female psychiatrist assigned to his case (Kathy Baker) is intrigued by his life-threatening eccentricities.
“Mister Frost” (1990) is an artistic supernatural drama/thriller with a smidgen of horror. Comparable films include "Lisa and the Devil" (1973), "The Evil" (1978), “Manhunter” (1986) and “The Devil’s Nightmare” (1971), but don’t expect overt horror, particularly like in the latter movie.
The three main cast members are fine in their roles and the set-up is certainly interesting, but I didn’t like how things pan out in the second half. So, the beginning is promising, but the way the story evolves is relatively dull with an unsatisfying close. It doesn’t help that Mr. Frost’s choice of Dr. Sarah Day to prove such-and-such doesn’t make much sense.
For a superior supernatural thriller with Jeff in the lead, check out the underrated “Hideaway” (1995). However, if you like the cast and favor psychological horror with artistic flair, give it a try. Some people hail it.
The film runs 1 hour, 44 minutes, and was shot in Paris, France.
GRADE: C+
