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Crime Cult Classic

A grieving spirit reaches out via a haunted planchette, but murder and madness soon follow.

THE ORACLE

A Power That Is Ancient.

1985 · 1h 34m · R · Crime / Horror · IMDB TMDB

Murder victim's spirit reaches out from beyond the grave in an attempt to possess the body of a young woman who has moved into his old apartment.

Quick Answer

What is The Oracle about?

The Oracle is a 1985 American crime-horror film directed by Roberta Findlay about a young woman who discovers a mysterious planchette that connects her with the spirit of a murder victim, unleashing supernatural and deadly consequences.

Programmer's Pick

Roberta Findlay elevates sleazy supernatural horror with a possessed artificial hand, a murderess named Farkas, and enough occult mayhem to leave you second-guessing your next thrift shop find. The Oracle is gloriously camp and unrepentantly weird, exactly the kind of haunted object horror SassyFlix loves to dust off.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

After the mysterious disappearance of an elderly tenant, Jennifer and her husband Ray move into a new apartment, only to discover an odd box containing an artificial hand with a quill—once used by the previous occupant, Mrs. Malatesta, to contact the dead. Their curiosity turns reckless at a Christmas party when the strange hand is used for a séance gag, abruptly coming to life and scrawling eerie messages. While Jennifer becomes increasingly involved with the object's unsettling powers, a series of violent events unfolds elsewhere, hinting at a sinister presence tied to the apartment's history. The Oracle sets up a supernatural crime tale where ordinary lives collide with occult forces and haunted objects.

Details & Specs

Director
Roberta Findlay
Writer
R. Allen Leider
Release
1985
Runtime
1h 34m
Language
English
Genres
Crime, Horror

Why Cult

Haunted Planchette

An artificial hand with a quill acts as a deadly gateway to the afterlife—planchettes don't get much creepier.

Femme Fatale Villainy

The antagonist is Farkas, a lethal woman killer who adds a unique layer to the supernatural crime setup.

Supernatural Revenge

A vengeful spirit manipulates the living to seek justice for a past murder, blending ghostly possession with classic whodunit.

Independent Exploitation Vibe

An R-rated exploitation film straight from the 1980s New York indie pipeline, brimming with gore, eccentric characters, and lo-fi effects.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Discovery of the haunted planchette

Threat

Possessive murder victim's spirit

Effect

Supernatural manipulation, violence, and attempted possession

Setting

Mrs. Malatesta's old apartment

Questions from the Vault

When was The Oracle released? +

The Oracle was released in 1985.

Who directed The Oracle? +

The Oracle was directed by Roberta Findlay.

How long is The Oracle? +

The Oracle has a runtime of 94 minutes.

What genre is The Oracle? +

The Oracle is a crime and horror film.

How does the artificial hand with a quill act as a link to the afterlife in The Oracle? +

The hand with a quill, used as a planchette, writes messages from beyond and enables a murder victim's spirit to attempt possession of the new tenant.

Trailers & Clips