THE VAULT

The Penalty (1920) Explained: Beyond the Blood

Scare Score: 7.3/100

The Premise

Blizzard, deranged from a childhood operation in which both his legs were needlessly amputated after an accident, becomes a vicious criminal, and eventually mob leader of the San Francisco underworld.

Why It Terrifies Us

Categorized under Silent Film, Crime Horror, Psychological, The Penalty taps into fundamental fears. The 7.3/100 Scare Score is well-earned. The themes of san francisco, california, criminal underworld, silent film continually haunt viewers long after the credits roll.

Into The Vault

Ready to dig deeper? The ScreamDesk Vault connects you to the architecture of fear.