Carnival of Souls (1962) is an eerie, atmospheric horror film that tells the story of Mary Henry, a young woman who survives a traumatic car accident that leaves her friends dead. Soon after, Mary, played by Candace Hilligoss, leaves her hometown to start a new life as a church organist in a distant town. However, she begins experiencing strange and unsettling visions, repeatedly encountering a ghostly figure who seems to follow her everywhere.

As Mary struggles to understand her visions and grapple with her sense of isolation, she’s drawn to an abandoned carnival pavilion on the outskirts of town. The haunting, decayed location becomes central to her unraveling, as her reality blurs and she’s pulled deeper into a surreal nightmare. Her attempts to connect with others only heighten her sense of alienation, leading her to question what is real and what lies beyond life itself.

Carnival of Souls is celebrated for its dreamlike, haunting cinematography and themes of death, isolation, and the supernatural. With a low-budget, independent production, the film has gained a cult following for its chilling atmosphere and psychological horror, influencing countless horror films and directors with its haunting ambiguity and unique vision.