Phobia (1980 film)

Dr. Peter Ross, a psychiatrist, introduces a radical new therapy and tests it on five of his patients to cure them of their various fears (heights, crowded places, enclosed spaces, men and snakes). However, his patients start being murdered by an unknown assailant using methods relating to their respective fears. ==Cast==

Phobia was the only horror film directed by John Huston, and his only film produced in Canada. The film was shot in Toronto, with many scenes filmed at Humber Polytechnic College. The screenplay was re-written during production by an uncredited Dan O'Bannon and Gladys Hill (John Huston's longtime assistant). In his book ''Dan O'Bannon's Guide to Screenplay Structure,'' O'Bannon claimed the script was altered without his input by a producer. He disliked the changes and offered to Huston his earlier draft, but Huston declined as a matter of convenience. ==Release==

The film premiered in-competition at the 37th Venice International Film Festival. It was released in Canada and the United States by Paramount Pictures on September 26, 1980. Home media After years of being unavailable of home video, a remastered blu-ray was released in November 2019 by Kino Lorber. ==Reception==

Critical response Los Angeles Times film critic Kevin Thomas described Phobia in a 1986 review as "the worst film ever directed by a winner of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award" after director John Huston received the honor in 1983. Matt Brunson of Film Frenzy wrote "There’s so little sense of style in this film that Huston’s involvement must have solely consisted of yelling 'Action!' and 'Cut!' from inside his trailer." In a review for Blu-Ray.com, Neil Lumbard called it "the worst directing of John Huston's career." Awards and nominations ==References==