The Initiation

The Initiation is a 1984 horror-thriller film directed by Larry Stewart and starring Vera Miles, Clu Gulager, and Daphne Zuniga. The movie takes place in a college setting where a group of fraternity and sorority pledges are participating in a pledge prank that goes horribly wrong.

Kelly Fairchild (played by Daphne Zuniga) is a seemingly normal college student who is suffering from a recurring nightmare. She enlists the help of her psychology professor to explore the origins of her dream, which leads her down a terrifying path of uncovering family secrets and dark truths about herself.

Meanwhile, her father (Clu Gulager), a high-end department store owner, is targeted by a mysterious figure with a vendetta against his family. As the attacks on both Kelly and her family escalate, she realizes that her dreams and reality are becoming terrifyingly intertwined.

To make matters worse, Kelly is also among a group of pledges who must undergo a series of hazing rituals in order to be accepted into a sorority. The final and most dangerous test involves breaking into Kelly's father's department store after hours. What begins as a harmless prank quickly turns into a fight for survival as Kelly and her sorority sisters are hunted down by the mysterious assailant.

As the night goes on, more secrets are revealed, and it becomes apparent that the killer has a connection to Kelly and her family's past. The Initiation is a tense and suspenseful horror-thriller filled with shocking twists and turns that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Vera Miles gives a standout performance as Kelly's overbearing mother, while Clu Gulager delivers a compelling performance as a worried father. Daphne Zuniga also shines as the protagonist, showing both vulnerability and strength in her portrayal of Kelly.

The film has a classic '80s horror feel, with suspenseful music and a creepy atmosphere that draws audiences into the story. The use of practical effects also adds to the film's terror, with some particularly gruesome scenes that will make even the most seasoned horror fans squirm.

Overall, The Initiation is a must-watch for horror-thriller fans. It has all the elements of a classic slasher film, with an intriguing mystery at its core. The film's strong performances and terrifying suspense make it a standout in the genre, and its shocking twist ending will leave audiences reeling.