Patrick (1978)
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40% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
52% of users liked it
(510 ratings)
In Australian director Richard Franklin's Patrick, the subject of psychokinesis is used, not for the creation of De Palma-like bloodbath special effects as in Carrie and The Fury, but as an expression of a deeply disturbed persona. Patrick is first seen in the intensive care section of a… More In Australian director Richard Franklin's Patrick, the subject of psychokinesis is used, not for the creation of De Palma-like bloodbath special effects as in Carrie and The Fury, but as an expression of a deeply disturbed persona. Patrick is first seen in the intensive care section of a hospital in a state of extreme catatonia -- after murdering his mother and her lover. Dr. Roget (Robert Helpmann) is the doctor in charge of the clinic who first tends to Patrick, but when new nurse Kathy Jacquard (Susan Penhaligon) arrives, she is assigned Patrick's case. As she cares for the comatose man, Patrick falls in love with her, telekinetically writing love notes to her on her typewriter. Kathy begins to suspect something is amiss when the doctors and nurses at the hospital who want to speed along the comatose man to his death start to die in mysterious ways. As Patrick's condition continues to deteriorate and he realizes that he is on the verge of death, he then wants Kathy to kill herself to join him when he dies. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Franklin
- Genres
- Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Sep 7, 1978 Wide
- Studio
- Elite Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
One of Australia's commercially successful genre films of the 70s, a supernatural thriller
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Alan Simpson, Sex Gore Mutants
a fine example of the sort of naively sleazy genre fare that was produced in the 70's
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Tepid little chiller -- like a horror version of Tommy.
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Rumsey Taylor, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
It is a film that resists visceral shocks, favoring the horror of its psychology. A shame, for its psychology is only slightly horrific.
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Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
D.o.a.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Susan Penhaligon
as Kathy Jacquard
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Robert Helpmann
as Dr. Roget
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Rod Mullinar
as Ed Jacquard
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Bruce Barry
as Dr. Brian Wright
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Julia Blake
as Matron Cassidy
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Helen Hemingway
as Sister Williams
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Maria Mercedes
as Nurse Panicale
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Frank Wilson
as Detective Sgt. Grant
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Peter Culpan
as Grant's Assistant
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Marilyn Rodgers
as Day Desk nurse
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Peggy Nichols
as Night Desk Nurse
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Carole-Ann Aylett
as Patrick's Mother
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Walter Pym
as Capt. Fraser
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Ray Chubb
as SEC worker
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Paul Young
as The Lover
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John Murphy
as Barman
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Robert Thompson
as Patrick