This is one of those awesome unique thrillers I grew up on. I can't believe it's been thirty years since this came out! I remember having talks with my mom about the "danger of strangers".
Character Development/Writing Quality: Good, tight, heart-smacking rhythms mixed with tender moments between 14-year-old Lisa (Staci Keanan) and her young mom (Cheryl Ladd). A rare suspense filled with incredible character development: we go from a naive teen to a mature judicious young lady and an in-control killer to an insecure man when he tries to figure out who is behind the sudden crank calls; this is an interesting aspect of the film as the tables are turned, even though Lisa unknowingly does this, taking the killer out of his self-confident role and into uncertain territory.
Values: The precious value of a mom/daughter relationship. The warnings against premarital sex and warnings against speaking to strangers. The importance of friendship-- (Tanya Fenmore) plays Lisa's best friend and their friendship goes through some ups and downs for realistic high school drama.
Content (sex, language & violence): The start of something about to happen is suggested, but nothing is shown. Mild language. Violence is slow and eerie when Richard, "The Candlelight Killer" (D.W. Moffett), prepares to kill his victims. Intense violence occurs at the end, but it is mostly emotional as mom and daughter combat the villain.
Scare factor/suspense: Some intense moments marked by a long guitar rif and the stiff-faced expression of the villain. One moment particularly stands out with Lisa hidden in the backseat of Richard's car and him just inches away in the front seat.....goosebumps are sure to get you in this scene!
A great thriller for parents and their kids, or just you and your friends. Wholesome values,
Character Development/Writing Quality: Good, tight, heart-smacking rhythms mixed with tender moments between 14-year-old Lisa (Staci Keanan) and her young mom (Cheryl Ladd). A rare suspense filled with incredible character development: we go from a naive teen to a mature judicious young lady and an in-control killer to an insecure man when he tries to figure out who is behind the sudden crank calls; this is an interesting aspect of the film as the tables are turned, even though Lisa unknowingly does this, taking the killer out of his self-confident role and into uncertain territory.
Values: The precious value of a mom/daughter relationship. The warnings against premarital sex and warnings against speaking to strangers. The importance of friendship-- (Tanya Fenmore) plays Lisa's best friend and their friendship goes through some ups and downs for realistic high school drama.
Content (sex, language & violence): The start of something about to happen is suggested, but nothing is shown. Mild language. Violence is slow and eerie when Richard, "The Candlelight Killer" (D.W. Moffett), prepares to kill his victims. Intense violence occurs at the end, but it is mostly emotional as mom and daughter combat the villain.
Scare factor/suspense: Some intense moments marked by a long guitar rif and the stiff-faced expression of the villain. One moment particularly stands out with Lisa hidden in the backseat of Richard's car and him just inches away in the front seat.....goosebumps are sure to get you in this scene!
A great thriller for parents and their kids, or just you and your friends. Wholesome values,