So, that’s it. Summer is done with. We’re leaving it behind and diving headfirst into fall, with Halloween season right around the corner. This week, we’ll be taking a break from the depravity, as exciting as it can be. Instead, we’re gonna tap into those autumn vibes with a lost fall classic from the late 70s: The Haunting of Julia, starring a young Mia Farrow!
Quick Gist
After a terrible tragedy, Julia moves into a new home to rebuild her life. But she soon begins to think her new house may be haunted by a malevolent little girl.
The Haunting of Julia
Richard Loncraine’s 1977 British/Canadian film — which also goes by the title Full Circle — is about a young mother, played by Mia Farrow, who suffers a serious tragedy that totally upends her life. Unable to go on with her overbearing and unfeeling husband, she moves into a new home in hopes to start fresh. But after what should’ve been a casual seance with some friends (you know, the ones we all have) she realizes she might not be alone after all. Or is it all in her head? The sneaking suspicion that there may be someone, or something, there with her sends her spiraling to find answers, which may be more grisly than she ever anticipated.
This is a classic ghost story soaked in melancholy and sadness. Mia Farrow is excellent, and the sense of loneliness and grief she is able to convey is really effective. And to top it off, the flick is actually pretty damn creepy, with an excellent score by Colin Towns that goes back and forth between haunting piano and moody synth, making it at times feel reminiscent of the Italian giallos being made during the same period. And the soft and hazy camerawork is superb, in that 1970s dreamy kind of way. Makes you look at films today and wonder what the hell has gone wrong.
I’ve seen some say this is a real slow burn, but I thought pace was fantastic. The brooding atmosphere sucks you in, hypnotizes you, and hooks you along for a great experience. If you like these 70s horror ghost stories, then this is a must. And apparently it just received a 4K restoration from Shout Factory this year, after languishing in obscurity for decades. You’d think a Mia Farrow flick from 1977 would be more widely known. But alas, it is not. And now only recently it’s being reassessed.
So, I’m considering this a new certified classic. A true hidden gem. For fans of fall movies, The Haunting of Julia will be right up your alley. The film gets under your skin and lingers there, that uneasy melancholic feeling staying with you long after the credits roll — credits that really can’t be missed. Though, you’ll have to watch to find out for yourself why.
And for a fall flashback, I’m also putting up Symptoms by José Ramón Larraz, which stars Angela Pleasence; another 1970s British movie featured on C&C last year, one so full of autumn vibes, you’ll be begging for a pumpkin spiced latte and some British bakes covered in blood. Or marmite. Your choice! So cozy up and check out this fall double feature you can’t pass up!
Which brings me to this last little bit of news. I’ll be keeping up the Satô flicks for all the freaks, and slowly building out the C&C Plex library, rather than rotating out each movie. So, more classics and crap to choose from. Enjoy!
Password to watch on the site: juliahaunts
Or request access to the Plex server here for best quality.
Want to chat about the movie with fellow film freaks? Then check out the Discord!