In The Grip of Terror (2025) | Film Review

There are horror films, and then there are films that feel like they leapt straight out of a midnight double-bill on BBC2 circa 1972. In The Grip of Terror proudly sits in the latter camp – a haunting, heartfelt anthology that wears its Amicus heritage on its sleeve and never apologises for it.

From the moment the eerie, melancholy score ushers you into a decaying hospital corridor, you’re in a world where dread is tactile and shadows have weight. This is no slick modern shock-festival; it’s a lovingly crafted throwback. Practical sets drenched in gothic gloom, camera work that harks back to the golden age of British horror, and costumes and lighting that feel as if someone dug the original negatives of Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors out of a vault.

To begin, the cinematography and production design is phenomenal – truly where the film earns its stripes. Every frame feels like a postcard from another era: moody shadows with beautifully vibrant and saturated colour palettes, as well as meticulous attention to practical detail that makes the budgetary limits feel like stylistic choice rather than constraint.

The film is structured as a series of interconnected tales centered around the mysterious Dr. Graves and his spectral hospital. There’s a tangible theatricality to the production design, as though each corridor and ward has its own story to whisper. The minimalistic approach wonderfully pays homage to productions from both Amicus & Hammer’s back catalogue. With very little in the way of CGI or visual trickery, simple makeup, stylistic cinematography, practical props, and purposeful lighting conjure dread far more effectively than any cheap jump scares ever could.

Like Amicus’ previous portmanteau classics (Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors, Tales from the Crypt and Asylum), In The Grip of Terror uses an overarching setting to bind its segments together, just as Amicus anchored their tales in trains, crypts or asylums. That framing device delightfully echoes the old tradition of linking disparate horrors under one roof.

Performances are uniformly strong, and it’s clear the cast not only relished the material, but had one hell of a time doing so. Megan Tremethick is fantastic; she doesn’t just act, she embodies the spirit of someone who could have walked off the set of a 1960s anthology classic. She’s cool, nuanced, and just a touch unpredictable. Laurence R. Harvey as Dr. Graves is an absolute joy: off-kilter, charmingly sinister, and a perfect anchor for the film’s storyline. Classic Amicus anthologies were known for ensemble casts featuring British stage and film talent, giving each segment its own unique flavour. This mirrors this approach, with standout turns that evoke the same delight of watching a great actor elevate a short segment.

Of course, no homage is without its flaws. Where the film truly shines in atmosphere and aesthetic, it occasionally falters in momentum. The pacing wavers and some segments linger a little too long in shadowy hospital halls. If I’m completely honest, a few narrative threads could have benefited from tighter editing. Furthermore, whilst predominantly interesting the watch and easy to follow, I did find myself occasionally losing track as the film became tangled and convoluted. Although, these are more minor issues in what I would describe as a reasonably strong film.

In The Grip of Terror (2025) | Film Review

The soundtrack was understated yet evocative, and integral to the film’s identity. Echoing the melancholic, organ-tinged vibes of early 70s British horror, it consistently enhances the creeping unease without ever overwhelming the scenes. Where many Amicus films often leaned into contemporary (for the time) locales and modern anxieties, In The Grip of Terror marries that anthology feel with a distinctly gothic sensibility, reminiscent of The House That Dripped Blood.

In the end, In The Grip of Terror is a love letter to classic anthology horror. Yes, it wanders now and then occasionally stumbling in the dark, and yes, a ruthless editor might’ve shaved off a few minutes here and there, but by hell, it feels like something special. It’s the kind of film that will have both Amicus and Hammer fans grinning in the dark, whispering “just one more tale” long after the credits roll. A rich, atmospheric anthology with heart, soul, and a firm grip on the terror fans of classic British horror crave. A little rough around the edges, perhaps, but worth your time.

Huge thank you to Megan Tremethick & British Horror Studio for the Blu-ray copy & the goodies with it. In The Grip of Terror is available now via British Horror Studio Website or Hex Studios Online Store.