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Primal Screen

Primal Screen

Directed by Rodney Ascher

Why are we simultaneously attracted to and repelled by the things that scare us the most? In this special presentation, acclaimed filmmaker Rodney Ascher (ROOM 237, THE NIGHTMARE) explores the pop culture that left dark impressions on us as children. Starting from the immortal ventriloquist dummy of MAGIC, Ascher asks real people to look back at pop-culture artifacts that traumatized them in their youth and describe the effect they had on their lives. A singular hybrid of documentary and horror, stare into the Primal Screen.

In this Shudder Original, acclaimed filmmaker Rodney Ascher explores the pop culture that left dark impressions on us as children.

Cast: Gregory Burkart, Daniel Ferranti, Gary Holland

Member Reviews

Magic (1978). . . . 😯 This movie freaked me out in the early 80's on mainstream tv networks

MayhemRd.
3 days ago

Interesting and insightful! Great mini doc.

alehfiorante
1 month ago

Interesting. It’s a documentary not a scary short.

xBedroomBoom
1 month ago

I think this was meant to be part the pilot for a show, wish the show had gotten greenlit, because this was interesting and well done

timwexx
2 months ago

not sure how i stumbled onto this, but definitely a cool half hour. It really seems like it was meant to be the first episode of a series but given the year this came out, i don't think it took off. its

disco
2 months ago