The 1982 slasher film, Unhinged, is a largely forgettable motion picture, though one aspect of it is exceptional—the original score.
Shot on a shoestring in Portland, Oregon, Unhinged is the first of just two movies directed by Don Gronquist (he also co-wrote the picture). Gronquist, like so many other slasher filmmakers at the time, took inspiration from two films that highly influenced the horror subgenre, Psycho (1960) and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). The Unhinged plot concerns three young women who drive to a music festival, but after a car accident in a rural area, they are taken in by a dysfunctional family. Eventually, a mysterious figure emerges and begins offing the women. In what was surely an attempt to super-size this slasher, the killer uses large, bladed tools—a scythe, an ax, and a machete. The murders aren’t all that graphic, though we see the bloody aftermath.
In the UK, Unhinged appeared in theatres uncut, but was subsequently labeled a “video nasty,” though it’s relatively tame when compared to other “nasties.” It didn’t come out on home video in the country until 2004.
Unhinged is by no means a good film. Most of the players in the small cast have no discernable acting ability, the screenplay is full of holes, and despite its relatively brief running time (less than 80 minutes), the pace is sloooooow. Having said that, it’s not without merit. There’s some nicely framed shots, the surprise ending is impressive, and the synthesizer soundtrack is so great it’s often scarier than the action on screen.
The music for Unhinged was written by little-known composer, Jonathan Newton. His stellar score is easily the best part of the picture. Though the work has never been offered as a standalone release, it’s developed a cult following amongst fans of slasher film music.
In 2014, FACT magazine made a list of “The 100 greatest horror soundtracks,” and Newton’s Unhinged score was their #40. Not too shabby.
Newton’s score for synth marries Carpenter-style moodiness with unusually dynamic drum programming, and, simply put, ticks all the boxes: genuinely killer theme, impressive atmospherics, occasional moments of unsignposted lunacy. Newton never really got a proper break—other low-key scores include 1985’s Shadow Play and another Gronquist film, 1995’s The Devil’s Keep—which is a shame, considering the obvious chops on display. (FACT magazine)
There’s an unofficial CD of the soundtrack—using the audio from the film as its source—and the complete disc was recently uploaded to YouTube. If you’re looking for a couple of killer cuts, might I suggest the section that runs 13:50-15:58, and the one that starts at the 33:54 mark and goes until 35:12.
Jonathan Newton currently teaches music at Portland State University. Read his bio here. Hopefully his Unhinged score will get a proper release one day. It’s certainly worthy. The film is available on DVD.
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
‘Body by Jake’ Steinfeld stars in Thanksgiving-themed Video Nasty, ‘Home Sweet Home,’ 1981
‘Black Christmas’: The groundbreaking 1974 slasher film that paved the way for ‘Halloween’
‘Silent Scream’: This little-known horror gem led to the explosion of slasher films in the 1980s