The Grand Illusion

After getting into an auto accident with an old man, Paul brings the man back to his apartment to heal him. When the old man mysteriously vanishes, Paul finds himself alone with a curious possession the man had left behind: a jar containing some sort of embryonic creature; a creature that consumes Paul's mind, leading to an onslaught of inexplicable hallucinations that plague Paul at every turn.

CHARON, aka THE JAR, was released by Magnum Entertainment in 1984 and was omnipresent in video rental stores. While the film was shot in scope, the distributor released it in a butchered cropped presentation, cutting out about half of the intended frame in a murky VHS transfer. Now, 40 years later, this new restoration from Terror Vision finally offers director Bruce Toscano’s unique vision in all its beautiful, color-drenched glory, as it was always meant to be seen.

Director Bruce Toscano will be present for a live Q&A! Part of our annual horror series All Monsters Attack!

“Though foolishly in the past tossed aside as a ‘poor man’s Eraserhead’ or other such silliness, The Jar is an astonishingly singular work of harrowing personal expression that will in equal parts confound, enrage, enrapture, endear, and eventually swallow you whole if you let yourself plug into its otherworldly wavelength.” William Morris, Oscarbate Film Collective

“Imagine if Jodorowsky, Lynch and Argento shot a film together while tripping mushrooms in early 1980s Denver! Shot on 35mm, transfered to video, released/mangled on VHS, lost for almost 40 years. This psychotronic mind-bending nightmare has to be seen to be believed!” Theresa Mercado, Vinegar Syndrome / Scream Screen