It’s easy to consider this among the earliest examples of what we now classify as horror films; the definition of "horror" was quite different before the 1930s. It's difficult to definitively state whether this or *A Nightmare* holds the title of first, but both employ techniques like abrupt cuts and unique props. Georges Melies demonstrates remarkable skill as an illusionist—a point I touched on when reviewing *A Nightmare*. Seeing how abilities now considered standard were initially pioneered is simply entertaining.

Source on TMDB