Angst 4K 1983

Angst is the only film directed by Austrian Gerald Kargl. Austrians have never been leaders in the field of horror film production; other countries have always dominated this genre. But they have released a few films of this kind. And then, in 1983, Kargl presented horror movie fans with his merciless Angst. Now, after so many years, this film has achieved cult status in certain circles. To say that the film impressed me is an understatement. This film is one big shock. But first things first.

The plot is based on the true story of the paranoid maniac and serial killer Werner Knizek. We are shown one day in the life of the maniac, but what a day! The director constructed his film from the perspective of the maniac, Gerald placed the viewer inside this psychopath, and with the help of an internal monologue from his perspective and the work of the cameraman, you follow him closely throughout the entire film. W. Knizek is released from prison, the gates have just closed, and he is already full of monstrous hopes and expectations. Sinister fantasies overwhelm his entire body, he craves blood and murder. His run to nowhere leads him to a large mansion. This is where this scumbag's atrocities will take place. Three innocent people - three victims.

The way the director shows us the murders in this mansion is simply the height of naturalism, perfection, and repugnance. All the climactic scenes in the house are presented in a semi-documentary manner. We are shown not a cunning maniac with great intelligence and intellect, but a nervous, rude, not very bright character who is constantly aroused at the sight of the opposite sex. He has grandiose plans brewing in his head, but they all collapse in an instant as soon as the maniac catches his victim. In a fit of passion and nervous hysteria, he does exactly the opposite of what he wanted to do. Erwin Leder is flawless in the role of a psychopath. Watching the film, I kept thinking how he could act so believably and naturalistically.

The atmosphere in the film is oppressive and gloomy. This was undoubtedly helped by the soundtrack for the film by Klaus Schulze, a pioneer and founder of electronic music. His depressing compositions, which penetrate deep into your body, are masterful and stylistically accurate in conveying all the horror of the action.

The cinematography deserves at least a separate mention. Zbigniew Rybczyński did a tremendous job. In order to understand and convey to the viewer who a real psychopath is, his camera tirelessly follows our maniac, hovering above him and, at the climax, taking close-ups of his face. This is a very calculated move, and it is precisely through this visual technique that the horror of what is happening is achieved and conveyed to the viewer. Brilliant cinematography.

I definitely cannot recommend this film to everyone. If you have a strong psyche and nerves of steel and are ready to see real cruelty and the vile essence of a psychopath, then press play and go ahead. Everyone else is better off avoiding it.