This film focuses on a backwoods community. Very early on, a hillbilly stereotype is revealed – so yeah, it’s that kind of movie.
The community worships a ominous pit and offers it sacrifices in exchange for its healing powers. The pit speaks through a simpleton potter whom then fabricates a clay jug that would resemble the next person to be sacrificed. When the sacrifice cycle gets interrupted due to a stolen jug, the pit starts to kill indiscriminately.
Surprisingly effective horror flick. Simple, yet clever story-telling. However, once the remedy of the pit’s wrath is determined, the story goes exactly that way. The ending is probably the right ending. In the era of twist endings, when there isn’t one, it can be a bit of a letdown. Perhaps that’s the twist in itself.
Side Note: Thirty plus years after her debut, Sean Young is still trying to convince us that she can act.