Saturday, August 22, 2020

Sleepwalkers


Director - Mick Garris (Critters 2, Freddy's Nightmares)
Starring - Brian Krause (Charmed, Camel Spiders), Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks, Riverdale), and Alice Krige (Star Trek: First Contact, Thor: The Dark World)
Release Date - 1992
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "They feast on your fear - and it's dinner time"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was younger I would often stay with my grandmother while my dad was out of town.  Before going to her house I would go to the local video store and rent a few tapes to preoccupy my time while I was with her.  I loved all genres as a kid so I would get a random assortment of movies.  Often a few kids flicks mixed with action, adventure, horror, and sci-fi.  It was during one of these visits that I watch the 1992 Stephen King adaptation Sleepwalkers.  My grandmother didn't mind horror but I remember her moaning and groaning the entire time I watched the film.  I really liked it and watched it a couple times since then but recent years, like many other films, I've not gave this another spin.  Scream Factory released the film on blu sometime ago and sent me a review copy but I was under the impression it was destroyed when my home caught fire.  It wasn't until recently when I was sorting some random junk in boxes that I found my review copy.  Better late than never?  
     The film follows a mother and son pair who move to a new town after fleeing pursecution from their previous home.  The two are not normal.  In fact, the two are shape-shifting creatures that live on the life force of virgins and a fear of cats.  


     
     Sleepwalkers is one of the most iconic horror films to come out of the 90s and for good reason.  It's one of the more popular Stephen King adaptations and the artwork to this day is still one of my favorite horror movie posters.  Honestly, I have no idea why I waited so long to revisit this one but it still stands as an all around quality horror movie.  Also worth noting that the blu release out did the iconic movie poster for the film and delivers my favorite blu artwork to date.  It's absolutely phenomenal.  The acting in this one is great.  Brian Krause and Madchen Amick are great together.  Their chemistry on screen is great and their reactions and emotions are very genuine.  With that being said, Alice Krige delivers a fucking intense performance.  Her character, without changing, is the scariest aspect of the film which is a true testament to her performance.  The story for this one is a little convoluted at times.  The incestuous relationship between the mother and son mixing with their fear/hatred of cats is simple enough but once you toss in the virgin and stealing their life force you are left with more questions than answers.  It doesn't ruin the film but it does make your mind race with questions.  Finally, the film has so many memorable deaths and bloody moments.  The practical and make-up effects in this one are legendary.  The deaths and the cat-creatures are iconic and the effects behind this film are unforgettable.  Even the early 90s visuals are great even after all this time.  Overall, Sleepwalkers is a must see for any genre fan and this blu from Scream Factory is nothing short than brilliant.  I highly recommend picking this one up if you haven't already.  

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