The Other is a 1972 American horror psychological thriller film, much in the vein of Stephen King and The Twilight Zone, directed by Robert Mulligan, adapted for film by Thomas Tryon from his 1971 novel of the same name. It stars Uta Hagen, Diana Muldaur, and twins Chris and Martin Udvarnoky, with Victor French, John Ritter, and Jenny Sullivan in supporting roles.

Plot

In 1935 Connecticut, widow Alexandra Perry lives with her identical twin sons, Holland and Niles, on their family farm, overseen by Uncle George and his wife Vee, along with their bratty son Russell. Residing nearby is their Russian emigrant grandmother Ada, with whom Niles shares a close relationship. Ada has taught Niles to astrally project his mind into the bodies of other living creatures, a spiritual ability that runs in the Perry family; they refer to this as "the Game". Unfortunately, it's no innocent game, considering it leads to the freak "accidental" death of Cousin Russell, the paralysis of Alexandra, and a fatal heart attack suffered by Mrs. Rowe. Ada now realizes "the Game" is evil, and advises Niles never to play it again. Further, she forces Niles to admit that Holland has been dead since their eleventh birthday the previous March when he fell down the well, but Niles is unable to accept the truth. Ada realizes that Niles has been using "the Game" to keep his brother alive in his mind in addition to assuming Holland's careless and somewhat violent personality, and that, in actuality, Niles is responsible for the summer's tragedies.

Awards