Lew Lehman’s strange Canadian cult movie, The Pit, is long forgotten in the celluloid mists of time, its story a peculiar mix of horror, fantasy, and obsession.
Released in 1981, The Pit centres on a disturbed, isolated, obsessive young boy named Jamie, a pit home to some strange creatures called Trogs, a babysitter whom Jamie would like to ‘get to know’ in a sexual way, and a demon teddy bear. To say Jamie’s a screwed-up kid would be an understatement. But he is also frequently bullied and misunderstood, meaning there’s a good dose of empathy for this psychotic munchkin even when he starts feeding the Trogs, the humans who have upset him.
Meanwhile, away from the deep dark hole in the woods, Jamie has the hots for his babysitter and does everything he can to orchestrate some form of romance, even if it means the odd murder. In one scene, Jamie asks his babysitter to scrub his back while he is in the bathtub, resulting in one of the most bizarre scenes in any ’80s horror film. At the same time, Jamie’s strange bear with glowing red eyes is never explained, leaving it as just one of a series of narrative mysteries.
The Pit is a bizarre, darkly humorous, and utterly ridiculous movie that explores themes of teenage isolation, anxiety, and revenge. Yet, for all its weirdness, The Pit is delightfully eccentric and fun as the mysterious Trogs gobble up those who have taunted and ridiculed young Jamie before turning their attention to the hand that feeds them. It’s so bad, it’s good!
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