More Tragedy than Horror *POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

I love this film and recently rewatched it.

Although yes, this movie is a HORROR film, gory, violent, suspenseful... so by no means am I diminishing that aspect of it, I feel the tragic side of this tale is far more overwhelming .. at least to me.

The first time I watched it in the theatres (I was a teen), I couldn't help but feel sad for the lovely Helen. Her once promising life turned upside down and ruined. Her only ally, her husband, ultimately betrays her. There was no where for her to go in life other than jail or a coffin and Madsen's performance in this is criminally under-rated.

Again, I rewatched this and despite the bloodshed, the horror, the fear, ... it saddened me to no end at the fate of poor, poor Helen. Hands down, one of the most tragic figures in a horror film.