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Horror Cult Classic

A widow faces paranoia and danger on an isolated farm haunted by a sinister religious sect.

DEADLY BLESSING

A gruesome secret, protected for generations, rises to give its...

1981 · 1h 40m · R · Horror / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

After her husband dies under mysterious circumstances, a widow becomes increasingly paranoid of the neighboring religious community that may have diabolical plans for her.

Quick Answer

What is Deadly Blessing about?

Deadly Blessing is a 1981 American horror-thriller film directed by Wes Craven about a widow who becomes increasingly paranoid of her neighboring religious community after her husband's mysterious death.

Programmer's Pick

Craven stirs up the rural paranoia with an occult twist, pitting a city outsider against a menacing religious enclave. The cast is a who's who of early '80s genre faces, with Sharon Stone making one of her earliest appearances. The real blessing? Watching small-town tension escalate into supernatural horror.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

On the secluded 'Our Blessing' farm, Martha and her husband Jim try to build a life surrounded by the Hittites, a strict religious group known for their hostility toward outsiders. After Jim's departure from the Hittites to marry Martha, tensions simmer in the isolated rural community. Martha's pregnancy and the constant harassment from members of the Hittites—especially the menacing William Gluntz—add to the unease. When Jim is killed under suspicious circumstances, Martha, now a widow, grows increasingly wary of the Hittites, fearing their influence and possible involvement. As suspicions mount, friends rally around Martha, but the farm's isolation and the community's cryptic hostility make every day more ominous.

Details & Specs

Director
Wes Craven
Writers
Glenn M. Benest, Matthew Barr, Wes Craven
Release
1981
Runtime
1h 40m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
Dem Tode geweiht, Die Gesichter des Teufels, Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing, Tödlicher Segen - Deadly Blessing

Why This Matters

Deadly Blessing marks Wes Craven's first major studio feature, following his collaboration with producer Max A. Keller, and represents an early 1980s blend of supernatural and slasher elements that found modest box office success despite mixed critical reception.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Wes Craven Writers: Glenn M. Benest +2 more

Why Cult

Cult Horror Roots

Directed by Wes Craven, this film weaves rural suspicion and religious zealotry into a slow-burning horror experience.

Hittite Villainy

The Hittite community, more severe than the Amish, brings a uniquely unsettling antagonist force to the countryside.

Women Under Siege

Three women, including Sharon Stone, stand at the center of mounting paranoia and supernatural threats.

Mystery & Occult Blend

Expect a mix of murder mystery, occult suspicion, and rural gothic, all set against the backdrop of an isolated American farm.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Mysterious death of Jim

Threat

Religious community's hostility and occult suspicion

Effect

Harassment, paranoia, and escalating danger for Martha and her friends

Setting

Isolated rural farm neighboring Hittite community

Questions from the Vault

When was Deadly Blessing released? +

Deadly Blessing was released in 1981.

Who directed Deadly Blessing? +

Deadly Blessing was directed by Wes Craven.

How long is Deadly Blessing? +

Deadly Blessing has a runtime of 100 minutes.

What genre is Deadly Blessing? +

Deadly Blessing is a horror-thriller.

Where can I watch Deadly Blessing? +

Deadly Blessing is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips