Let’s Scare Jessica to Death

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Sunday, October 26 at 9:00: Introduction by Ben Moss, son of producer Charles B. Moss Jr.

“‘I sit here and I can’t believe that it happened. And yet I have to believe it. Dreams or nightmares, madness or sanity, I don’t know which is which.’

I wouldn’t call LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH forgotten by any means, but it is severely underrepresented in terms of textual analysis and is long overdue respect within the cultural consciousness.

This came before four films often referred to as genre-defining turning points in the horror landscape: THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, THE EXORCIST, THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, and BLACK CHRISTMAS.

There is something of a bridge between the atmospheric horror of the 1960s and the trauma of the 1970s to come. Isolating Jessica in an attempt to help her ‘heal’ forces her further into anguish. It perfectly encapsulates the mental fragility that looms when people stop believing you.

LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH reminds us that no amount of placating politeness will ever convince the vampire to stop feeding. Leap onto the boat and set sail.”- Staff Pick by Lucia, Programming Coordinator

After a stint in a psychiatric facility Jessica, her husband, and a friend move to remote farm. Once there, they find a young woman by the name of Emily living in the house and invite her to stay. But is Emily, or their new town, all they appear to be? Or is Jessica still on the very edge of sanity? John D. Hancock’s psychological chiller remains one of the very best horror films of the 1970s.

Screening as part of our Staff Picks 2025 series

  • Country USA
  • Year 1971
  • Running Time 89 minutes
  • Format DCP
  • Distributor Paramount Pictures
  • Director John D. Hancock
  • Producer Charles B. Moss Jr.
  • Cast Zohra Lampert, Barton Heyman, Kevin O'Connor, Gretchen Corbett, Mariclare Costello
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.