I’ve always been a sucker for revenge stories: tales where a character is wronged and then given a chance to even the odds. This is doubtless driven by my inner desire to seek revenge on the many, many, many people who have wronged me. Oh, how I would love to see them suffer!

But in these stories, it never works out, does it? The protagonist takes vengeance, but the act only brings more agony upon themselves. 

One does not have to think hard to find examples of such tales: The Roman myth of Medea, Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus”, Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick”.

And, of course, the schlocko-horror film “Necromancer” from 1989.

In the movie, guileless Julie played by the gorgeous Elizabeth Kaitan (known for such classics as “Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2” and “Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity”) is sexually assaulted by several of her fellow college students (all played by actors several years past college age.) She doesn’t report the crime to the cops, but does go along when her friend takes her to the home of a female mystic who has run a classified ad promising vengeance for those who seek it. (A conceit reminiscent of the original “Equalizer” TV show where Edward Woodward’s character ran a similar ad.)

How does the necromancer deliver vengeance? Essentially, by metamorphosing into Julie, seducing the attackers, then turning into a monster and exacting horrible violence. Kind of like the classic pseudo-feminist vengeance flick “I Spit on Your Grave” but with more demonology. And some of the scenes are great, including a terrific fellatio-turned-castration number. (Every good movie needs at least one.)

That said, the special effects are ridiculous. The demon creature the necromancer turns into is a sticky, oozing glob that looks like a giant piece of sweet and sour chicken with teeth. (While watching, I was like, “Hey, I haven’t had Chinese food in a while!”) And there are several scenes of ectoplasmic radiation that look like someone drew on the individual movie frames with a magic marker. 

There was a minor twist that fooled me at one point, which notches the movie up a bit in my mind.

So, if you go in knowing what to expect, “Necromancer” works as a decent bit of 80s silliness.