User Reviews

This is my review for the film The Intiation and it shall have several spoilers throughout.

The film begins at a house with a group of sorority sisters. Some of the students at college are pledging to become sorority sisters with the sisterhood being lead by Megan we have Kelly,Alison,Beth and Marcia who will have to take part in an initiation before they become part of the group. The are allowed to have a few more days of fun before they are given their initiation.

Meanwhile Kelly has been having repetitive nightmares for years about a young girl who enters a room to her parents and witnesses a confrontation between them and a man who is set alight on fire. She tells one of her tutors about this who along with another one of his students gives her some therapy and tries to get her to understand and piece together the meaning of her dreams.

At the beginning of the following week Kelly,Alison,Beth and Marcia are due to carry out their initiation which is being given by Megan to break into Kelly's fathers department store and steal a specific item to be used as a souvenir within a time period. Beth gets into an argument with Megan and is eliminated from being part of the sisterhood.

The girls go to the department store to fulfill their pledge whilst Megan and a couple of her friends sneak into the store with the intent on making things more difficult for them all. The students are all oblivious to the fact that on the same night a mental patient from a psychiatric ward has escaped with murder on their mind.

I enjoyed The Initiation because even though it began with a familiar scenario like that of many of 1980's films in a house and with a sisterhood of some girls what were not a part of wanted to do things in order to be inclusive i like the fact that many of the films scenes were located in a department store which proved to be effective for the suspense and chase scenes. The film also worked as a thriller that was not a simple and straight forward as some others when predicting the plot. I also thought several of the characters were likable from Hunter Tylo's portrayal of Alison who was fun,entertaining and at times naughty to Vera Miles who plays Frances the mother of Kelly that harbors a dark secret to Marilyn Kagen who plays Marcia who was sweet and probably the most mature out of the girls and the way she tells her friends a story about her past even had me a little shocked which added a more serious tone to her character. Daphne Zuniga as Kelly played a worthy and dynamic performance too! The films production values, special effects and music were also professional for a horror film of 1984.

I would rate this film 6 out of 10.

Granted, THE INITATION doesn't compare favorably to the best slasher films like HALLOWEEN or the original Friday THE 13TH, but even so it's a surprisingly successful horror film buoyed to some degree by a mystery element that, if ultimately unbelievable, still adds immeasurably to the usual formula of young people being killed by a crazy murderer.

Daphne Zuniga stars as a sorority pledge whose usual college problems are magnified by a long history of recurring nightmares. Her parents assure her the dreams are nothing to be afraid of, but our heroine is determined to make peace with her inner demons and put the strange nightmare behind her once and for all. Meanwhile an unknown stalker is hunting her family and friends, and everything comes to a head in a shopping mall after hours from which the killer is determined no one will escape.

THE INITIATION is fairly well-written and directed, with a strong cast (including Clu Gulager and Vera Miles) and some highly effective murder sequences. Though not as bloody as some other slasher films, the movie still packs a visceral punch, and the suspense factor is high as well. The young people who make up most of the film's cast are for the most part quite likable, except for the sorority queen and her drones, so that when they are in danger the viewer really feels it. The lovely Daphne Zuniga does a fine job in her first big feature role, but she gets some surprisingly strong support from her co-stars, including the stunningly beautiful Hunter Tylo (here acting under the name Deborah Morehart). The thrills culminate in a feverish climax with more than one big reveal.

Again, THE INITIATION isn't a horror classic, but it is a solid slasher that hits all the right notes and benefits from a relatively ambitious script which incorporates both mystery and solid characterization. Definitely among the top tier of films in the slasher canon.

In the eighties drive-ins were dying off and grindhouse theaters were for the most part limited to larger cities. The rest of the country found their horror fix at the mom and pop video stores. The influx of horror films was massive and titles ranged from terrible low budget flicks to inspired films that rose above financial restrictions. Minor studios were churning out movie after movie to satisfy the home viewing crowds and the result was some movies that were more entertaining than expected if not completely memorable. THE INTIATION falls into this category.

Daphne Zuniga stars as Kelly, a young college student pledging to the Delta Ro Kai sorority and dealing with the hazing that entails. The daughter of wealthy Dwight and Francis (Clu Gulager and Vera Miles), she is resented by at least one sorority sister who makes her initiation unbearable.

At the same time Kelly has been dealing with a frightening set of dreams where she sees a burned man. Looking for help she turns to a professor doing research, Peter (James Read). His team studies Kelly and does test on her when she sleeps to help find the reason for her constant battle with these dreams.

Both of these issues come to a head when the final test she's put through with her fellow pledges is to spend the night in a mall complex owned by her father. They must get by the guard and perform certain tasks throughout the night. Of course her nemesis in the sorority and a few of her friends have plans to make the night difficult for the pledges. But none of them is aware of a stalker that has been following Kelly with murder in mind. Characters are killed off one by one as we try and figure out who is behind it all. Does it have anything to do with the person in her dreams? Who will survive? The movie is an effective thriller that holds your interest from the get go. The low budget means that everything on the screen is put there with a skill that makes the film look much better than you would think the money would allow. The story is a solid one though done but holds elements of another horror film made just 4 years prior (I won't say what since it would become a major spoiler) that was done better and for more money. Still this movie offers enough differences that it creates its own story and fan base at the same time. It's also great to see actors like Miles and Gulager known for their roles in past horror films given roles here.

Arrow Video is releasing this one and as with all their releases they've strived to make it the best. The 1080p restoration is derived from original film elements. Extras include a brand new commentary track by The Hysteria Continues, a new interview with actor Christopher Bradley, a new interview with actress Joy Jones, the theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn and for the first pressing copies only a collector booklet with new writing on the film by critic James Oliver.

If you're a fan a horror films you'll want to pick this up. If you remember the days of perusing the shelves for horror movies at the local mom and pop video stores, you'll want to add this to your shelf. And if you just enjoy a solid movie with a few scares and a decent story then this is one you'll want to see.

This is one of the cheesiest slasher films I have ever seen and in the worst way. This rips off some elements of the Elm Street film, which only came out months before, so how quickly was this film made? There are SOOOOO many scenes--the dream clinic, the dreams, the boiler room, the burned man, the body being dragged-- not to mention the "Happy Birthday to Me" ending. The dialogue was cheesy to the point of cringe and there is a scene that mentions assault that just takes us away from the narrative in the worst way while then never properly addressing it again and even joking insensitively about it. Why?

Pros? The tension was built well by the over-arching script. Despite horrendous dialogue, there is a charm about the way the story unfolds, unlike most hack-n-slash horror from those days.

But this is one of the most tedious and ridiculous slashers I've seen as of late. The kills don't truly start until we're two thirds finished with the film and most of them are just lackluster. They weren't bad but they also were typical and not at all surprising.

If you're not super familiar with the genre, you may find more excitement here than a seasoned fan.

Over X-Mas 2017 I got a list from a family friend on films that he was after. Finding easily that Arrow had put this title out,me and this friend were disappointed the dual format version to remain pricey. Recently going on Amazon UK for other items,I stumbled on a cheap DVD only version Arrow had put out,which led to both of us finally taking part in the initiation.

View on the film:

Getting his lone shot in film after original director Peter Crane got booted for falling behind schedule and going over budget to turn the flick into a more arty Euro Horror, director Larry Stewart & cinematographer George Tirl take a streamline approach, with the Slasher set-pieces springing candle wax red gore,and a stylish use of shadows to give the killings a suggestive visceral edge. Using some of the footage Crane shot, Stewart and editor Ronald LaVine bring out a psychological chill to the psycho-thriller by linking the killings to scrambled glimpses of Fairchild's repressed memory.

Reuniting later with the final girl as a writer/director/ producer on Melrose Place, the screenplay by Charles Pratt Jr appears more interested off-beat in the psycho-analyse of Fairchild,than the traditional Slasher body count. Referencing Jung and Freud, Pratt powers the unmasking of the killer with nightmare/ repressed memories of Fairchild that take the killings to the family home,and leads to a fittingly wacky reveal. Whilst the rest of the cast, (including Hunter Tylo making her debut) play sexy, but flat, Daphne Zuniga stands out by making the twist work thanks to a glint in the eye of madness,and by placing the vulnerabilities shown in the repressed memories of Fairchild into her unease of being the final girl of the initiation.

The only reason i am writing this review is to achieve some redemption for being tricked into buying this movie, based on the other User Comments on here. Many of the reviews state that this is a gory, gruesome, and particularly noteworthy slasher film. All of which it is not! I have seen virtually every gory film out there, and every slasher film, and here's my take.

**May contain spoiler, concerning death scenes, not story** There are about 5, maybe 6 murders in this movie. Which is fair, if they are truly gory and unique. They are not. Each murder consists of the same technique, a garden tool through the neck or face or stomach, it doesn't really matter. They are all very quick, dark, and unimpressive. Although they sound gory by description, they do not appear as gruesome in watching the film. There is virtually no splatter, and the one scene that had potential (a head being chopped off), is instead insinuated by a shadow, and then a cut-away. Second, this film is not in any way chilling, scary, or original. It is very routine, with some very ugly actors, especially the parapsyhologists assistant, what's up with her?? She is heinous!!! I expected this movie to be brutal, but it is quite tame, the acting is (of course) terrible, which i could dismiss if the film was campy, or unintentionally funny, but it takes itself pretty serious. So no points there. None of the characters are enjoyable. The only allowance this movie gets is for the last 20 mins in which i thought the setting in the department store was mildly amusing and perhaps could have been scary, other than that this is a total waste of time for both fans of the genre and gore-hounds. This is a genuine fast-forwarder, but even then you won't find what your looking for. If you absolutely must see every movie in the video-store, skip this one and choose Don't Go In The Woods, now there's a movie that i didn't expect much from, but was treated to a blood-filled surprise. Also it is hilarious.

Okay, I think I know where I am going with this, ah yes, I am sure I do. "The Initiation" is an appalling attempt to cash in on the 'slasher films-with-surprise- ending' that were in the 'fad' in the early eighties to mid eighties. Much like "Sleepaway Camp" and "Happy Birthday to Me" there is a lot of build up and suspense that may actually hold some audience members, until a crash landing in the end destroys all hope for the film in general.

The film's main premise is on young Kelly(Daphne Zuniga, much before Melrose Place, or even "The Sure Thing" for that matter) who has been suffering a reoccurring dream all her life. Soon, murders begin to happen, and no one knows who is doing them, then on a night when Kelly and some friends are to do their 'initiation' into the college sorority they are attending, which is to frolic in a building owned by Kelly's father, a shopping mall of all places, someone else is watching them. Could this person have any relation to Kelly or her nightmares that have been plaguing her?

...The answer? Yes and No. Ridiculous slasher film starts out slow and boring, then gets a bit interesting when Kelly's past is revealed, and the dreams BEGIN to make sense, but right before the sense can be fully made, the crash boom bang ending occurs and the killer is revealed. Beware, for the ending is not what may seem. Who knew you could have a film be made with an ending from a totally different script! Boy it was interesting to see Daphne Zuniga chasing Daphne Zuniga around threatening her life. When Daphne threatens Daphne, there is a new meaning to the word "Gross Anatomy."

On the better notes(not like they really are) Zuniga holds her own well here, with no help whatsoever from predictably bitchy Vera Miles, as Kelly's mother. the rest of the cast, including young soap star Hunter Tylo, do their best, but Daphne is the only real actor in this, and so, the film crashes and burns like it's stupid ending!

If you want a good shock ending, watch "Clue."

It was Daphne Zuniga in the shopping mall with the garden tools!

3.5/10

I've been motivated to watch 'The Initiation' after watching that revolting 2020 'Initiation' the other night, which left a horrible aftertaste in my mouth.

Already this DVD is refreshing as it's showing some old classic trailers like 'The Stuff' and 'House' before the main feature.

Shawnee Smith is awoken to join three other pledges in preparation of their final days of Hell Week where they must undergo some hazing ritual to join the sisters of the ya ya hood.

I liked in 88's 'Pledge Night' how the dudes met their match with candles up their -

Or was it eating apples from the nether regions of -

I forget. It was crude either way.

The killer, or killers, in this movie are released from a mental asylum - hello Michael Myers - and for some reason this looney bin reminds me of the one from 'Ice Cream Man.' Yep, Myers escapes and now there's a lunatic on the loose in the movie.

Did I just detect imitation 'Friday the 13th' music in that lavatory scene?

Shawnee Smith slowly comes to the realization that she's not in an 'Elm Street' sequel as she undergoes some sleep-inducing truth serum tests which proves she's only in a B-grade horror movie which was lesser in value to 'Halloween,' 'Evil Dead,' and 'Friday The 13th.'

Man, I don't recall the first half of this movie being this boring. I thought the movie was about a handful of teens locked in a mall as a prank? What's all this 70's lie detector equipment business?

What's strange about 'The Initiation' is that the analog trailer, looks and sounds, much more intense than the DVD transfer.

I hope the killer in this isn't that generic overweight janitor fella from 'Final Exam.' He's was the most uninspired movie killer out there.

40-minutes in and no mall still with only two murders so far? He uses a claw cultivator as a weapon. You know the one Michael Myers used in 'Halloween 5-Ply' when he killed Fonzie?

There's a classic scene in this movie that I applaud when one of the pledges comes to her senses and tells it straight to all the other's faces, "I didn't come to college for this girl scout crap! We're grown women." That's called maturity. I like that scene.

I never could understand why anyone would want to degrade themself to be humiliated just to be part of a group of rich smug elitists.

Eventually everyone does get locked in the mall with the killers picking them off one by one.

It's kind of confusing how the gardener from earlier, with the fried egg on his face, is connected to being the killer. I didn't get that.

Only one of them makes it to sunrise and it turns out, in a strange twist, that there's two of Shawnee Smith, which I'd completely forgotten about as I've only seen this twice.

With Superman-like powers Vera Miles shows up at the end, packing heat, and blows her other daughter away like the dressing gown crusader she is. And here I was thinking she was just a reclusive drunk of no value.

I bet these kids had a blast filming these scenes in the mall in the wee hours of the night.

This 1984 horror film stars Daphne Zuniga, Vera Miles, James Read, Hunter Tylo and Clu Gulager. Zuniga (Spaceballs) plays Kelly, a college student who is having bad dreams about an incident that occurred when she was a kid. She seeks help from professor, Peter (Read) to interpret what the dreams mean. She is also pledging a sorority and in order to get in, she and her friends must break into her father's department store where a mysterious killer stalks them. Miles (Psycho & Psycho II) plays Kelly's mother, Frances, Gulager (A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, Return of the Living Dead) plays her father, Dwight and Tylo (The Bold and the Beautiful) plays her friend, Alison. This isn't a bad 80's slasher flick with a decent cast & chilling score. If you're a fan of the genre, you may want to check it out.

I couldn't believe I never heard of this movie before. It came out in 1984 when I was 12 or 13 depending on the month. I am just wondering if it hit the big screen or went straight to video. This movie is SOLID with a great plot that doesn't rely on gore. The Initiation is not your typical sorority horror flick. The plot is simple, a wealth college student pledges for Delta Ro Kai. It is hell week, Kelly along with the other pledges have to pull off a prank. The pledge master gives them a whopper too. Kelly( Daphne Zuniga) is told to get her father's keys to his mall. Her father Dwight Fairchild(Clu Gulager) owns Fairchild mall. Kelly's mother Frances Fairchild(Vera Miles) is a socialite. While she is a pledge she is still having awful nightmare about the same guy who was tragically burned up at her house when she was young. She keeps having them over and over; and feels this will jeopardize her chances of getting in. She decides to met with her psychology T.A., to see what can be learned from them. A close relationship is formed; and she tells about her hopes of joining a sorority. About 2 weeks go by and it is Hell Night and little do the pledges of Delta Ro know that a killer has escaped from the sanatorium near by. The killer is on their way to Kelly's house and then headed toward the University area. The pledges are told about their mission once there. They are to get into the mall and steal the security guards uniform; and to get out. The pledge master also has a few extra things that are involved that the pledges have no idea about. Megan or Alison (I forget which is the pledge master ) has brought some guys, their friends. They are suppose to scare the S**T out of them. At first it's really freaky a desolate mall and the security guard making his rounds. While on his rounds he is surprised and gets killed before the pledges arrive. Once they are there they are wondering where the security guard is. They just what to cheat get an extra uniform from the office and get out. Once there the group splits up, and the killings begin. They are killed one by one, but a twist is exposed at the end. It will literary make you do a W.T.F. moment. It won't take long to understand once you put two and two together. Unlike most horror films this has a somewhat happy ending.

I still shake my head, and wonder whatever happened to good horror films like this. It's sad to see most of today's horror films are silly, no plot, and complete trash. The initiation is true horror from the beginning to end. Everyone who likes Carpenter, Craven, Cunningham, etc. should love this hit.