Day 10 - The Occult Atmosphere of City of the Living Dead | 31 Days of Halloween
For Day 10 of the 31 Days of Halloween, the theme is Occult Madness, and the pick is City of the Living Dead, an eerie, atmospheric entry in Italian horror from director Lucio Fulci.
Also known as The Gates of Hell in the United States, the film follows a reporter and a psychic racing to close the literal gates of hell before All Saints’ Day, as a small town is overtaken by supernatural forces and the rising dead.
Blending religion, witchcraft, ancient prophecy, and the undead, the film leans heavily into occult themes. There’s even a clear influence from H. P. Lovecraft, particularly with the use of the fictional town of Dunwich.
First Impressions
What stands out immediately is how City of the Living Dead feels caught between two eras. It carries the DNA of late 70s horror while stepping into the stylistic direction of the 1980s. This echos similar points I’ve made previously about films of this era like The Shining, The Fog, and even Halloween.
Tonally, I would say it most closely resembles the 1979 adaptation of Salem’s Lot. The use of fog, practical effects, and slow-building dread all contribute to that same unsettling atmosphere.
There’s even a moment involving a child and an undead figure outside a window that feels directly inspired by Salem’s Lot.
Atmospheric Vibes & Musical Support
Where this film really works for me is in its atmosphere. I always say, “if you get the right vibes and the right music, you’ve got e halfway there,” and this is no exception.
The combination of wide, lingering camera movements, heavy fog effects, and the score from Fabio Frizzi creates a constant sense of unease. It really takes its time to focus on building a mood that slowly pulls you into the story and its characters.
Frizzi’s score, in particular, stands out. It enhances the film’s dreamlike quality and elevates several sequences, especially during the climax.
Special Effects and Horror Elements
This isn’t an overly gory film by the standards of Italian horror, but it does have a few moments that will catch you off guard.
There are a couple of sequences that lean into more extreme effects, and while some of the repeated visuals lose their impact over the course of the film, others are genuinely memorable. The bleeding eyes effect, in particular, is one of the film’s standout visual elements and is used to great effect. I had actually seen this visuals in the wild prior to this with no context so they have certainly established their place in the horror zeitgeist.
Overall, the horror elements here feels more surreal than brutal, which fits well with the film’s occult themes.
A Flawed but Interesting Ending
The one area where the film doesn’t fully land is its ending.
There are a few awkward moments and some choices that feel abrupt or unclear. Over the years, there have been various explanations, ranging from last-minute changes to budget issues and damaged footage.
Whatever the case, the finale doesn’t quite match the strength of the atmosphere that comes before it. It’s not enough to derail the experience, but it is noticeable.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, City of the Living Dead is a strong example of atmosphere-driven horror. It may not be as polished or cohesive as some of its contemporaries, but it offers a distinct tone and style that makes it stand out.
If you enjoy occult horror, slow-building tension, and the aesthetic of late 70s and early 80s, this is a worthwhile addition to your Halloween watchlist.
Next up: Day 11 brings us into Michael Myers territory.
🎃
Physical media hound like me? Amazon has a 4K edition of City of the Living Dead available now.
Related horror podcast episodes:
Korean Folk Horror: The Wailing & Exhuma – History, Folklore, and Spiritual Darkness
Review-a-thon: Furiosa + In a Violent Nature + The First Omen + A Quiet Place Day One
Enjoyed the blog? Join the newsletter for monthly movie picks and new releases.
