Night of the Demons (1988 film)

Last updated
Night of the Demons
Night of the Demons poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Kevin S. Tenney
Written by Joe Augustyn
Produced byJoe Augustyn
Starring
CinematographyDavid Lewis
Edited byDaniel Duncan
Music byDennis Michael Tenney
Production
companies
  • Paragon Arts International [1]
  • Halloween Partners Ltd. [1] [2]
  • Meridian Pictures [2]
Distributed byInternational Film Marketing
Release date
Running time
89 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3.1 million (US) [3]

Night of the Demons is a 1988 American supernatural horror film directed by Kevin S. Tenney, written and produced by Joe Augustyn, and starring Amelia Kinkade, Cathy Podewell, Linnea Quigley, Hal Havins, and Alvin Alexis. The plot follows a group of high school students who throw a party inside an isolated funeral parlor on Halloween night. While attempting a séance, they accidentally release a demon locked in the crematorium that begins to possess them one by one.

Contents

Filmed in Los Angeles in 1987, Night of the Demons premiered in Detroit in September 1988, grossing $3.1 million at the box office. Though it received a mixed critical response, the film would later become a cult classic in the years since its release. [4] It spawned a film series, as well as a 2009 remake of the same name.

Plot

Teenage outcast Angela Franklin and her best friend Suzanne are throwing a party at Hull House, a mortuary abandoned due to its gruesome past and rumored to be cursed by evil spirits. On the way there, Stooge, Helen and Rodger drive past an elderly man who is carrying apples and razor blades. When Stooge taunts him by showing his buttocks out of the passenger window, the elderly man curses at them and says that "they'll get what they deserve".

Judy Cassidy and her boyfriend Jay Jansen pick up their friends, Max and Frannie, for the party. When they arrive, Judy's ex-boyfriend Sal Romero crashes the party. They start the party by dancing, but the radio dies out. Angela then holds a séance as a party game, but Helen screams when she sees a demon in the mirror foreshadowing her demise; and the mirror falls to the ground in pieces. The group suddenly hears thuds below them, and the demon frees itself from the crematorium it was sealed in to possess a distracted Suzanne. The group searches around the house, and the possessed Suzanne forcefully kisses Angela for the demon to manifest in her too.

When Judy discovers that Jay only invited her to have sex, he abandons her in a room only for her to be apparently locked in. Rodger and Helen find no exit outside, but as Helen disappears and the demons call out Rodger's name he locks himself in the car. Stooge wanders with Suzanne to find a bathroom and he gets locked outside, where her face transforms and she smashes a mirror before disappearing. A confused Stooge finds Angela seductively dancing in front of the fireplace and begins to dance with her, but when they kiss she possesses him as she bites off his tongue. Meanwhile, Jay wanders off to find Suzanne, with whom he has sex. During this, she reveals her inner demonic appearance to him and gouges his eyes. The possessed Stooge finds Max and Frannie having sex in a coffin and murders them both.

As Sal becomes horrified when he sees Angela putting her hands in the fire, Rodger (who had fallen asleep) is awoken from Helen's body crashing on the car. The two manage to free Judy, but are split up when the now openly demonic Angela chases after them. Hiding from Angela, Sal and Judy discover Suzanne with Jay's body before Sal is thrown out of a window. Judy escapes and she evades the demons throughout the house. When she attempts to climb down and Angela tries to kill her, Sal appears to fight her off and they both fall off the roof; with Sal impaled on a spike. Judy and Rodger are chased by the demons, and they lock themselves in the crematorium where they discover the truth of the demonic force. Just as Angela and Stooge break down the door, she uses a pipe funneling gas and ignites it to torch them which drives them away.

They escape upstairs and are cornered by the demons, including a burnt Angela and Stooge, and the demon possessed undead bodies of Suzanne, Jay, Max, Frannie, Helen and Sal. Rodger smashes through a window that leads them outside and they begin to climb up a wall by grabbing on the barbed wire around it, but the demons try to drag down Judy by her ankles. Rodger successfully pulls Judy up and they escape over the wall as the sun rises to destroy the possessed corpses and banish the demons back to hell. A severely shaken Judy and Rodger walk home together and they pass by the elderly man who watches them with contempt. He then enters his home to eat one of his wife's homemade pies for breakfast, only to realize too late she used the apples that he placed the razor blades in which he intended to use on Trick-or-Treaters. The blades graphically slice through his throat, killing him; his wife then casually approaches his dead body to kiss his head, saying "Happy Halloween, dear."

Cast

Production

Filming began in Los Angeles, California on April 8, 1987, under the working title Halloween Party. [1]

Release

The film was picked up for theatrical release by Paragon Arts International. [5] Rather than a nationwide release, it was released regionally; the film debuted in the Detroit market on September 9, 1988 [6] and went throughout the country until June 1989, grossing a total of $3,109,904.

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Night of the Demons holds a 42% approval rating, based on 12 critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.10/10. [7] The Washington Post criticized the film as "a convergence of stereotypes ... and cliche's". [8] The New York Times reported that "the cleverest thing about Night of the Demons is its advertising campaign" and that it "is stupid; it is sexist; at 89 minutes it feels unforgivably long". [9]

Cinematical wrote that "while not particularly original, Tenney's film is definitely entertaining if you're into the whole 'teens wander into an isolated locale and die horrible deaths' subgenre of horror". [10] HorrorNews.net called Night of the Demons one of the 80's great legacies in horror". [11] DVD Talk praised the film's 2004 DVD release, but stated that the director and producer commentary was "seemingly stodgy". [12] Dread Central called the film fun and lively. [13] Bloody Disgusting praised the film's DVD release, calling it "the perfect DVD for all fans of this lost era: 'The Eighties Horror Film'". [14] W. Scott Poole of PopMatters called it "truly original" and wrote that the film blends elements of slasher films and zombie films. [15]

Home media

Republic Pictures purchased the VHS home video rights for the film in May 1989. [16] Anchor Bay Entertainment released it to DVD in 2004; Scream Factory (under license from current rights-holder MGM) released a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack collector's edition on February 4, 2014.

Franchise

Night of the Demons was followed by two sequels, with Augustyn co-writing the first sequel, and Tenney writing the third film. In 2009, a remake was released, with Tenney serving as co-producer. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Sleepaway Camp</i> 1983 American slasher film

Sleepaway Camp is a 1983 American slasher film written and directed by Robert Hiltzik, and starring Felissa Rose, Katherine Kamhi, Paul DeAngelo, Mike Kellin, and Christopher Collet. The original entry in the Sleepaway Camp film series, it focuses on serial killings which occur at a summer camp for teenagers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassandra Peterson</span> American actress (born 1951)

Cassandra Gay Peterson is an American actress best known for her portrayal of the horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Peterson gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ-TV in her stage persona as Elvira, hosting Elvira's Movie Macabre, a weekly B movie presentation. A member of the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy troupe The Groundlings, Peterson based her Elvira persona in part on a "Valley girl"-type character she created while a member of the troupe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treehouse of Horror IV</span> 5th episode of the 5th season of The Simpsons

"Treehouse of Horror IV" is the fifth episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons and the fourth episode in the Treehouse of Horror series of Halloween specials. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 28, 1993, and features three short stories called "The Devil and Homer Simpson", "Terror at 5+1⁄2 Feet", and "Bart Simpson's Dracula".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treehouse of Horror XII</span> 1st episode of the 13th season of The Simpsons

"Treehouse of Horror XII" is the first episode of the thirteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. Because of Fox's contract with Major League Baseball's World Series, the episode first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 6, 2001, nearly one week after Halloween. It is the twelfth annual Treehouse of Horror episode, consisting of three self-contained segments. In the first segment, a gypsy puts a curse on Homer, which puts everybody he cares about in danger. In the second segment, which is a parody on both 2001: A Space Odyssey and Demon Seed, the Simpson family buys a new house, who falls in love with Marge and attempts to kill Homer. In the third and final segment, which lampoons the Harry Potter franchise, Lord Montymort attempts to capture Lisa, a skilled magician, in order to drain her magic powers.

<i>Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers</i> 1988 film by Dwight H. Little

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers is a 1988 American slasher film directed by Dwight H. Little, written by Alan B. McElroy, and starring Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris in her film debut, and Michael Pataki. It is the fourth entry in the Halloween franchise and a direct sequel to Halloween II(1978), and marks the return of Michael Myers as the primary antagonist, Ignoring the events of Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982).

<i>Innocent Blood</i> (film) 1992 film by John Landis

Innocent Blood is a 1992 American black comedy horror film directed by John Landis and written by Michael Wolk. The film stars Anne Parillaud as a beautiful French vampire who finds herself pitted against a gang of mobsters led by Salvatore Macelli who eventually becomes a vampire and schemes to build a criminal syndicate of vampires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurie Strode</span> Character in the Halloween franchise

Laurie Strode is a character from the Halloween series. She first appeared in Halloween (1978) as a high school student who becomes targeted by serial killer Michael Myers, in which she was portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis. Created by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, Laurie appeared in nine of thirteen films in the series. The character has subsequently been represented in various other media, including novels, video games, and comic books.

<i>Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School</i> 1988 film

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School is a 1988 animated comedy horror made-for-television film produced by Hanna-Barbera for syndication as part of the Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10 series.

<i>Night of the Demons 2</i> 1994 American horror film directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith

Night of the Demons 2 is a 1994 American horror film directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith and starring Amelia Kinkade, Cristi Harris, Rick Peters, Jennifer Rhodes and Christine Taylor. It is the sequel to Night of the Demons and was released on home video in 1994 by Republic Pictures Home Video. Lionsgate released it on DVD in 2007; Olive Films released a widescreen DVD and a first time Blu-ray release on February 19, 2013. The film was followed by the 1997 sequel Night of the Demons 3.

<i>The Midnight Hour</i> 1985 American comedy horror film

The Midnight Hour is a 1985 American made-for-television comedy horror film directed by Jack Bender and starring Shari Belafonte-Harper, LeVar Burton, Peter DeLuise, and Dedee Pfeiffer. Its plot focuses on a small New England town that becomes overrun with zombies, witches, vampires, and all the other demons of hell after a group of teenagers unlocks a centuries-old curse on Halloween.

<i>Trick r Treat</i> 2007 American film by Michael Dougherty

Trick 'r Treat is a 2007 American anthology horror film written and directed by Michael Dougherty and produced by Bryan Singer. The film stars Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox. It relates four Halloween horror stories with a common element in them: Sam, a trick-or-treating demon wearing orange footie pajamas with a burlap sack over his head. The character appears in each story whenever one of the other characters breaks a Halloween tradition.

<i>Night of the Demons 3</i> 1997 Canadian horror film directed by Jim Kaufman

Night of the Demons 3 is a 1997 Canadian comedy horror film directed by Jimmy Kaufman and starring Amelia Kinkade, Vlasta Vrána, Gregory Calpakis, Tara Slone, Christian Tessier, Joel Gordon, Larry Day, Kris Holden-Reid, Stephanie Bauder, and Patricia Rodriguez. It is the third and final film in the Night of the Demons series before the 2009 remake, and follows a group of teenagers who are pursued by the demon-possessed Angela Franklin while hiding out in Hull House on Halloween night.

Angela Franklin is a fictional character from the Night of the Demons series of films. She is the only character to have appeared in every film in the series.

<i>Night of the Demons</i> (2009 film) 2009 American film

Night of the Demons is a 2009 American horror film and remake of the 1988 film of the same name. It was directed by Adam Gierasch, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jace Anderson, and stars Edward Furlong, Monica Keena, Bobbi Sue Luther, Shannon Elizabeth, Diora Baird, and Michael Copon.

<i>Halloween Night</i> 2006 American film

Halloween Night is a 2006 American slasher mockbuster film produced by The Asylum.

Night of the Demons is an American comedy-horror franchise consisting of four films. The original film, Night of the Demons, was released in 1988. Written and produced by Joe Augustyn, and directed by Kevin S. Tenney, the sequels have had various writers and directors attached to them, with the character of Angela Franklin remaining the only constant in all of the films in the franchise. Tenney, who directed the first sequel, also wrote the third film in the franchise and co-produced the remake.

<i>Elviras Movie Macabre</i> American hosted horror movie television program

Elvira's Movie Macabre, or simply Movie Macabre, is an American hosted horror movie television program that originally aired locally from 1981 to 1986. The show features B movies, particularly those in the horror and science fiction genres, and is hosted by Elvira, a character with a black dress and heaven bump hairstyle, played by Cassandra Peterson. Elvira occasionally interrupts the films with comments and jokes, and in some episodes receives phone calls from a character called "the Breather".

<i>Fear in the Night</i> (1972 film) 1972 British film by Jimmy Sangster

Fear in the Night is a 1972 British psychological horror film directed, produced, and co-written by Jimmy Sangster and produced by Hammer Film Productions. The film stars Judy Geeson as a psychologically-fragile woman who, upon relocating to a rural boarding school where her husband has taken a job, finds herself being tormented by a mysterious figure with a prosthetic arm. Peter Cushing and Joan Collins, respectively, also star as the school's mysterious headmaster and his wife.

<i>This Is the End</i> 2013 American comedy film directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

This Is the End is a 2013 American apocalyptic fantasy comedy film written, directed and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in their directorial debuts. It is a feature-length film adaptation of Rogen and Goldberg's short film Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse (2007), which was directed by Jason Stone, who serves as an executive producer on the film. Starring an ensemble cast including James Franco, Jonah Hill, Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera and Emma Watson, the film centers on fictionalized versions of its cast in the wake of a global biblical apocalypse in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treehouse of Horror XXVIII</span> 4th episode of the 29th season of The Simpsons

"Treehouse of Horror XXVIII" is the fourth episode of the twenty-ninth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, the 28th episode in the Treehouse of Horror series of Halloween specials, and the 622nd episode of the series overall. The episode was directed by Timothy Bailey and written by John Frink. It aired in the United States on Fox on October 22, 2017.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Night of the Demons". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . American Film Institute. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Night of the Demons (1987)". British Film Institute . Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Night of the Demons (1987)". Box Office Mojo . Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
  4. ↑ Gingold, Michael. "Night of the Demons: After-Party is launched!". Fangoria . Archived from the original on October 5, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Paragon Arts, which produced the horror film, is putting up $1,000,000 for prints and advertising on "Night Of The Demons"". Variety. varietyultimate.com. July 27, 1988. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  6. ↑ ""Night Of The Demons", newie from IFM/Paragon Arts, shook out $97,701 at 15 Detroit locations". Variety. varietyultimate.com. September 14, 1988. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Night of the Demons (1988)". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  8. ↑ 'Night of the Demons': (R) Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Washington Post
  9. ↑ Night of the Demons (1988) Archived 2021-10-14 at the Wayback Machine New York Times
  10. ↑ Free Flick of the Day: Night of the Demons Archived 2012-10-25 at the Wayback Machine Cinematical
  11. ↑ Film Review: Night of The Demons (1988) Archived 2019-11-15 at the Wayback Machine HorrorNews.net
  12. ↑ Night of the Demons: SE Archived 2019-11-15 at the Wayback Machine DVD Talk
  13. ↑ Night of the Demons DVD Archived 2012-02-07 at the Wayback Machine Dread Central
  14. ↑ Night of the Demons Archived 2021-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Bloody Disgusting
  15. ↑ Poole, W. Scott (2014-02-11). "'Night of the Demons' Does Schlock Right". PopMatters . Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
  16. ↑ "Republic Pictures Home Video has acquired the U. S. vid rights to the Paragon Arts Ind. pic "Night Of The Demons"". Variety. varietyultimate.com. May 10, 1989. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Night of the Demons Set to be Remade". Film School Rejects . Archived from the original on 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.