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This was a disappointing outing from Wes Craven, whose previous film, THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977), stands as a masterpiece among the modern wave of horror films. The plot concerns Martha (Maren Jensen), who lives alone near the property of a conservative, repressive religious sect--the Hittites--to which her husband once belonged. He was murdered under mysterious circumstances soon after he quit the sect, and two of Martha's friends from California (Susan Buckner and Sharon Stone) have arrived to comfort her. Soon the Hittites, led by Isaiah (Ernest Borgnine), begin harassing Martha and her friends, trying to force them to leave. The pressure begins to take its toll, and the women suffer from nightmares (one of which includes a spider dropping into the dreamer's mouth) and other, actual dangers (a snake appears in the bath water), leading to more murders. Craven builds an interesting premise, but the ending is lame and unsatisfying. Outstanding cinematography and a good musical score enhance the film's mood greatly. Craven's next outing, SWAMP THING (1982), was another disappointment, but he returned in full force in 1984 with the truly terrifying A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.