Ulmer.Its heme of the horrors of war would be echoed in his later films.He was obviously influenced by his previous work with German director F.W.Murnau (and his filmNosferatu (1922)), and by Fritz Lang""s filmMetropolis (1927).Art-deco sets by art director Charles D.Hall, and stark B/W photography by John Mescall evoke the proper atmosphere.Some reviewers have considered it thefirstAmerican psychological horror film, with dark sexual repression, twisted relationships, and aberrant behavior (Satanism (devil worship), black mass orgies, necrophilia, pedophilia, sadistic revenge, murder and incest)." He reconsidered and joined her as she turned toward the house.During private time together with Rick, and away from her friends, Chris was feeling vulnerable about her previous traumatic experience at the lake: "The quiet can fool you.As Jonathan came into view, Rick yelled to him that the Sceptre was actually a Spear when opened up: "It opens up into a spear.The evil is gone." En route to Haddonfield, he killed a driver and stole his truck(# 2 death)(off-screen), and absconded with Judith Myers"" grave headstone ("He came home").