The fashion, the hair, and the synth-heavy score create a mood that is both sleazy and sophisticated. There is a voyeuristic quality to the direction; the camera lingers just a little too long on the subjects, making the audience complicit in the hypnotist’s gaze. It’s a masterclass in how to build tension on a shoestring budget.
Given its value, bootlegs are rampant. If you are crate digging and think you’ve struck gold, look for these markers:
Fernando Fortes brings a level of earnest awkwardness that feels too real to be acting. As Michael_Elliott noted in his review on Letterboxd, his portrayal of an "awkward loser" makes him the perfect, unlikely lead for this specific kind of cult film. 3. Technical Snafus and "Invisible" Crew come under my spell 1981 exclusive
As discussed on Rock! Shock! Pop! , this release solidified Carlos Tobalina’s status as a director who "could always be counted on to deliver something weird." Summary Table: Come Under My Spell Description Director Carlos Tobalina Release Year 1979 (Regional/Video re-releases often cited as 1981) Key Cast
Scanned and restored in 2K from the original 35mm camera negatives Lady Dynamite (1979) The fashion, the hair, and the synth-heavy score
For decades, Come Under My Spell was relegated to degraded, second-generation VHS tapes. The definitive way to experience the film came when Vinegar Syndrome gave the film an exclusive physical media release.
Imagine a hypnotic bassline, drum machines that pulse like a slow heartbeat, and a vocalist who sounds both inviting and dangerous. Lyrically, “Come Under My Spell” plays with themes of control, mysticism, and nocturnal surrender. It’s less a pop song and more an incantation. The B-side (if you’re lucky enough to own the full release) often shifts into an instrumental that wouldn’t sound out of place in a John Carpenter film. Given its value, bootlegs are rampant
Carlos Tobalina was infamous for a . The film is riddled with technical glitches, sudden audio drops, and boom mics occasionally threatening to enter the frame. Yet, this lack of prestige is exactly what charms its cult followers. Rather than leaning into the dark, predatory undertones that a "mind-control" plot might carry in modern cinema, Tobalina treats the entire premise like a juvenile slapstick routine. Cast and Performances: The Appeal of a Non-Actor