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In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

R  |   |  Horror  |  3 February 1995 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 40,007 users  
Reviews: 219 user | 114 critic

An insurance investigator begins discovering that the impact a horror writer's books have on his fans is more than inspirational.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Sutter Cane (as Jurgen Prochnow)
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Guard #1
Gene Mack ...
Guard #2
Conrad Bergschneider ...
Marvin Scott ...
Katherine Ashby ...
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Storyline

With the disappearance of hack horror writer Sutter Cane, all Hell is breaking loose...literally! Author Cane, it seems, has a knack for description that really brings his evil creepy-crawlies to life. Insurance investigator John Trent is sent to investigate Cane's mysterious vanishing act and ends up in the sleepy little East Coast town of Hobb's End. The fact that this town exists as a figment of Cane's twisted imagination is only the beginning of Trent's problems.... Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Reality isn't what it used to be... See more »

Genres:

Horror

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for images of horror, and for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

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Release Date:

3 February 1995 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness  »

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$8,946,600 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Trent occupies cell number 9 at the asylum, and rents room number 9 at the Pickman Inn in Hobb's End. See more »

Goofs

(at around 16 mins) When Linda Stiles is introduced for the first time and is speaking about Sutter Cain's book, she takes her glasses off and folds them twice. See more »

Quotes

Saperstein: [to Dr. Wrenn] Things must be getting pretty bad out there to bring you fellas in.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Animal interaction was monitored by the American Humane Association with on set supervision by the Toronto Humane Society. No animal was harmed in the making of this film. Human interaction was monitored by the Inter Planetary Psychiatric Association. The body count was high, the casualties are heavy. See more »

Connections

Featured in Midnight Movie Review: In the Mouth of Madness (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN
Written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams
Performed by The Carpenters
Published by Irving Music, Inc. (BMI)
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Black Magickal
4 August 2000 | by (The Penumbra) – See all my reviews

This review contains some slight spoilers. Many people say that John Carpenter does either GREAT or VERY BAD films. I think his only two duds were Escape from LA and Village of the Damned. But he is one of my two fave directors (David Lynch is the other) and this is one of his best movies.

It may seem confusing at first but trust me…it does make sense. The premise of this film fascinates me. What happens when the line between fantasy and reality disappears and creatures from fiction can exist in the real world? Wow! This makes the basis of a totally cool movie.

John Carpenter always used 2.35:1 photography and in this film we get a screen filled with creepy imagery and cool locations. The film was shot entirely in Canada in 1993 and was released in 1995. It is set basically in the city and in the fictional town of Hobbs End. When I say that Hobbs End is fictional I really mean it. In the film the town does not exist but Sam Neill ends up there. Some dark magick/logic at work methinks.

This is definitely a horror film for the thinking audience. If you like your horror deep, intriguing and downbeat without being depressing…you'll LOVE this one.


45 of 67 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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My take on why some fans seem to be disappointed with his films-- jswindter01
Blu-ray... lonenut2000
In the Mouth of Madness....with John Trent? Brenapp
Another Carpenter's Mess dude_everhard
Trent delivered the book to the publishers months ago??? Brenapp
H.P. Lovecraft temple_wes
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