The Entity is a 1982 American supernatural horror film directed by Sidney J. Furie, and starring Barbara Hershey, Ron Silver, David Labiosa, Maggie Blye, Jacqueline Brookes, and Alex Rocco.

It was adapted for the screen by Frank De Felitta from his 1978 novel of the same name, which was based on the 1974 case of Doris Bither, a woman who claimed to have been repeatedly sexually assaulted by an invisible assailant, and who underwent observation by doctoral students at the University of California, Los Angeles.

It was met with some controversy from women's rights and feminist organizations during its original release due to its graphic depictions of female sexual assault.

A subsequent attack in her bathroom leaves bite marks and bruises, which Carla shows to Dr. Sneiderman, who believes they are self-inflicted despite being in places impossible for her to reach.

She explains to him that she suffered a variety of traumas in her childhood and adolescence, including sexual molestation, teenage pregnancy, and the violent death of her first husband.

Dr. Sneiderman believes her apparent paranormal experiences are delusions resulting from her past psychological trauma but agrees to keep an open mind at her request.

As soon as she leaves, Weber shares his belief that the experiences of the Moran household are the output of a mass delusion arising from Carla's damaged psyche, sexual frustration and propensity to masturbate.

Initially skeptical, they witness several paranormal events and agree to study the home under the supervision of their team leader, Dr. Cooley.

Her boyfriend, Jerry Anderson, visits one night and witnesses Carla being held down on the bed by the entity while being raped and noticeably fondled by invisible fingers.

If the men of the film do not undermine her credibility or sanity, they objectify her, exploit her victimhood, belittle her ability to take control of her unfortunate circumstances, and ultimately give her the dignity of a glorified lab rat.

[9] Michael Doyle, writing for Rue Morgue magazine, describes the entity in the film as akin to an incubus, a demon that sexually assaults sleeping women.

[10] Screenwriter Frank De Felitta adapted the screenplay from his novel, which was based on the case of Doris Bither, a woman who alleged that she had been sexually assaulted by an invisible supernatural entity on numerous occasions.

[1] The screenplay, like the novel, introduces several elements that were not investigated as part of the Bither case (including the allegations of spectral rape and the capture of an entity).

[11][12] In a rare interview with Rue Morgue magazine in July 2012, director Sidney J. Furie told journalist Michael Doyle that he did not consider The Entity to be a horror film in spite of its extreme imagery, unsettling atmosphere and horrific plot.

Several actresses were considered for the role of Carla Moran, including Jill Clayburgh, Sally Field, Jane Fonda, and Bette Midler, but all four declined the offer.

[15] Hershey had hesitations about the part due to the nudity in the screenplay, but agreed to it after director Sidney J. Furie assured her the nude sequences would be accomplished via body doubles and mannequins.

[16] Ron Silver was cast as Dr. Sniderman, the psychologist who questions the supernatural nature of Carla's attacks,[15] while Alex Rocco was given the part of Jerry, her absent boyfriend.

[17] David Labiosa, a New York-based actor, was cast as Carla's teenage son Billy, based on his performance in the television film Death Penalty (1980) opposite Colleen Dewhurst.

[25] Universal Pictures initially expressed interest in distributing The Entity, as the studio felt it might have "some commercial value,"[6] but it was ultimately acquired by 20th Century Fox.

[31] On June 11, 2019, Scream Factory released a collector's edition Blu-ray disc of the film featuring new interviews and other newly-commissioned bonus material.

[7] Upon its release in the United Kingdom, the film was met by protests from women's rights groups who deemed it offensive due to its graphic depictions of sexual assault.

"[38] Contemporary criticism of the film has been favorable: Andrew Dowler of the Toronto publication Now praised the lead performances, writing: "Hershey gives Carla a believable mix of hopelessness and grit, and Ron Silver strikes the right note as an over-assertive psychologist who may have more than a professional interest in the case.

"[40] TV Guide gave the film a middling review, noting that "a great performance by Barbara Hershey fails to save this poorly directed tale of the supernatural...  ever-inept director Sidney J. Furie is ham-handed as usual, with the camera swooping all over the place between dull bouts of psychological and parapsychological mumbo-jumbo.

[43][44][45][46][47][48] In April 2015, it was announced that James Wan and Roy Lee were producing a remake for 20th Century Fox through their Atomic Monster and Vertigo Entertainment banners, respectively.

[49] In a 2020 interview, Carey Hayes commented that the screenplay had been completed, but that the project's future was undetermined following The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.