Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes

Amityville IV

Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes is a 1989 American supernatural horror television film directed by Sandor Stern, who also wrote the screenplay. It is the fourth installment in the Amityville Horror franchise. The film originally aired on NBC on May 12, 1989. Unlike its predecessors, which were based on the book The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson, Amityville 4 is based on a novel by John G. Jones titled Amityville: The Evil Escapes. The story marks a departure from the previous films by focusing on a haunted item—a lamp—that is sold at a yard sale and brings terror to a California family.

Plot

The film begins with a clearing house event at the infamous Amityville house, where various items are being sold off. A seemingly innocuous floor lamp, containing an evil presence, is purchased and sent to California as a gift. The recipient, Alice Leacock, lives with her three children and her sister, Peggy. Soon after the lamp's arrival, strange occurrences begin to plague the household, including the mysterious illness of Alice's daughter, Jessica. It becomes apparent that the evil spirit from the Amityville house has latched onto the lamp and is seeking to claim new victims. The family, with the help of a priest, Father Kibbler, must confront this malevolent force and end its reign of terror.

Cast

• Patty Duke as Nancy Evans
• Jane Wyatt as Alice Leacock
• Fredric Lehne as Father Kibbler
• Lou Hancock as Peggy
• Brandy Gold as Jessica Evans
• Zoe Trilling as Amanda Evans
• Aron Eisenberg as Brian Evans

Production

Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes was produced for television, marking a shift from the theatrical releases of the previous films in the series. Directed and written by Sandor Stern, who had previously penned the screenplay for the first Amityville Horror film, this installment sought to explore new narrative territory within the franchise by focusing on a cursed object rather than the haunted house itself.

Reception

Upon its release, Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some praised the film for its attempt to take the series in a new direction, while others criticized it for its lack of originality and failure to deliver the same level of horror as the original film. Despite this, it has gained a cult following over the years among fans of the franchise and those who appreciate 1980s horror films.

Legacy

The concept of a haunted item serving as the source of evil introduced in Amityville 4 would inspire future entries in the Amityville franchise, as well as other horror films exploring similar themes. The film remains an interesting chapter in the Amityville Horror saga, demonstrating the franchise's ability to evolve and adapt to new horror trends.