Prince of Darkness (1987): The evil in the green
1987 • John Carpenter • 2.35:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓
The second film in John Carpenter’s “Apocalypse Trilogy”, following The Thing and preceding In the Mouth of Madness, Prince of Darkness begins when a Catholic priest discovers a mysterious cylinder hidden in the basement of an abandoned church. Inside the container is a swirling green liquid, which is believed to be a physical manifestation of Satan. A group of university scientists are invited to analyse the object. As they investigate, the substance begins to infect people and influence events outside the church, suggesting the presence of an ancient cosmic intelligence.
Blending religious mythology with theoretical physics, the film presents the supernatural as a scientific anomaly rather than purely theological evil. The cylinder’s mysterious liquid emits a luminous green glow that becomes the film’s dominant visual motif, bathing many scenes in an eerie, unnatural light.
Most of the narrative unfolds inside the church where the experiment is conducted. Gradually, the location shifts from a place of worship to an improvised research environment, as scientific equipment fills the interior. This confined setting reinforces the sense of isolation, as the characters are effectively trapped inside the building. As the investigation slowly escalates towards catastrophe, the film blends metaphysical speculation with the escalating dread typical of Carpenter’s apocalyptic horror cinema.
Technical Specs:
- The Story: A group of scientists and graduate students investigates a mysterious cylinder of green liquid in a Los Angeles church, uncovering an ancient evil that defies science and faith. Read my review of Prince of Darkness.
- Actors: Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong, Lisa Blount, Dennis Dun, Susan Blanchard, Ann Yen, Peter Jason.
- Director: John Carpenter
- Year: 1987
- Cinematographer: Gary B. Kibbe
- Origin: American Cinema
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Genre: Horror & Supernatural
